Four Types of Fire Pits to Consider for Your Next Project Fire pits are an excellent addition to many outdoor entertaining spaces, providing a cozy spot for people to gather even on cooler nights. If a client has recently come to you with a fire pit project, you have several options to explore. Ultimately, the best choice will depend not only on your client’s needs and budget but your skills and abilities as well. From concrete wall blocks to natural stone fire pits, there are numerous options to consider that can take any outdoor space to the next level. Concrete Wall Blocks Concrete wall blocks, such as Nicolock, are a popular option for many homeowners who want to add fire pits to their properties. Many paver manufacturers make fire pit kits that typically include a series of wall blocks that, when put together, yield a fire pit. These often have a metal ring grid that is inserted into the top of the pit, as well as coping or cap options. When it comes to budget-friendly options, this is probably the most affordable and easy-to-assemble fire pits out there. It’s not exactly masonry but can still yield beautiful results with a practical purpose. Cladding and Concrete Kit For clients who want something a little more elaborate or customized, using a cladding and a concrete fire pit kit may be a better option. This includes installing a poured concrete foundation and then cladding around it with anything from a thin veneer to full veneer that is 3-6 inches thick. Generally, round fire pit designs are better suited for full veneer because this will allow the designer to shape around the pit itself, however, both full veneer and thin veneer can be used for a square-shaped fire pit. Regardless of the chosen veneer, firebrick is used inside and on the bottom of the pit to protect the stone veneer from damage caused by excessive heat exposure. Bluestone is also commonly used for fire pit capping with this type of design. Concrete Block and Cladding Another customizable fire pit option to consider is that of building a fire pit out of concrete block and cladding with stone, porcelain, Dekton slabs, or something similar. Dekton is a great choice here because it is a sintered stone. As a result, it provides several benefits that make it perfect to use in a fire pit design. Some of which include UV resistance and enough durability to withstand exposure to outdoor elements and temperature extremes. It also comes in sheets, making it easy to achieve a sleek, modern, or contemporary look. Other types of cladding can be used in a similar way to Dekton, but it’s a good idea to talk to a stone professional before moving forward to be sure that the material you’re considering will hold up. Natural Stone Construction Last but certainly not least, there’s the option of building a fire pit entirely out of natural stone. This allows for truly unrivaled customization and beauty. It does, however, require a great deal of knowledge and experience with natural stone—as well as precise cuts and specifications. This is where our expertise at Connecticut Stone can really come in handy if you have a client who has come to you with a natural stone fire pit project. Contact Connecticut Stone today to find out how we can help with your next fire pit project. With more than 70 years of experience as well as thousands of stone products to choose from, we’re your one-stop-shop for all your project needs and the experts that can bring the beauty of natural stone to life.
