According to Forbes, the already growing demand for outdoor living spaces skyrocketed last year due to COVID-19 restrictions. If you’re planning a landscaping remodel and want to incorporate a fire feature, you know that finding the ideal option for you and your home can get a bit tricky. To help, we’ve outlined key considerations to make when choosing an outdoor fireplace or fire pit.
Intended Use/Function
How do you plan to use your fire feature? Fireplaces and fire pits share several similarities, but there are key differences to consider in the overall experience they provide:
- A fireplace is typically used to anchor outdoor living rooms, dining areas, and similar spaces, whereas a fire pit can become a central gathering point on its own.
- Fireplaces have less seating space and create a more intimate setting for visiting with close friends and family, enjoying a good book, or simply relaxing after a long day. Fire pits offer seating on all sides, making them perfect for more informal gatherings with large (or small) groups, much like a traditional campfire.
- Fireplaces add more of an elegant and classy architectural statement to your property and provide a relaxing or romantic ambience. Fire pits are more interactive, as large groups can gather all around them, cook food, and engage with one another.
Maintenance Requirements
Generally speaking, fire pits require more regular maintenance due to their exposure to the elements. Our landscape design and building experts incorporate proper drainage into every project, but you must remember to cover the pit or remove debris to ensure it works correctly. If there’s debris buildup and the pit is uncovered during rainfall, the water can pool and create a moist, soggy mess that prevents drainage and attracts mosquitoes and other pesky bugs.
On the other hand, fireplaces still need to be cleared of debris but aren’t prone to collecting rainwater like a dirty, uncovered fire pit. The enclosed design of a fireplace also means the debris won’t create as much of an eyesore if it’s not cleared immediately.
Property Layout
In addition to rainfall, the open flame of a fire pit is also subject to wind. Even a light breeze can blow heat away from the area and/or change the smoke direction and create problems. Furthermore, unless a screen cover is used (or a clear, low-profile wind shield for gas fire pits), the sparks won’t be contained.
Wood-burning fireplaces contain the flames inside the firebox, and sparks and embers are safely blocked by a steel grate or fire screen. For gas fireplaces, doors or a mesh screen are used for added protection. Additionally, if you have a more open layout on your property, the walled structure of a fireplace can block the wind, provide shade on sunny days, and add more privacy from your neighbors.
Landscape Design & Budget
As with any remodel or renovation, the space and budget of your project play a crucial role in the available options. An outdoor fireplace can cost up to 40 percent more than a fire pit, and the structure itself will likely take up more space.
However, a fireplace can be built on the edge of a patio or other area, leaving more usable space around it, whereas a fire pit generally requires dedicated seating space on all sides (even without built-in permanent seating). Fireplaces can also be part of a pavilion or other outdoor structure, meaning it can be used during rainy weather.
Partner with Spear’s & Find Your Perfect Fire Feature
Outdoor living areas have become more popular to homeowners when considering the appearance and functionality of their property, and incorporating a fire feature is a growing subset of that trend. These considerations can help guide you when choosing an outdoor fireplace or fire pit, but there really is no right or wrong answer – it’s your property, after all!
At Spear’s Landscape, we prioritize your satisfaction at every step of the process. Our design experts will partner with you to discuss options, make recommendations, and answer any questions you may have in order to help identify the perfect fire feature for your style, budget, and vision. We can even generate a near-exact 3D model of your landscape, showing you what the finished product will look like before we even break ground. That way, we ensure a beautiful, customized landscape that we know you’ll love.
View recent projects on our website to see our top-quality services in action and contact us today to begin your project.