A backyard fire pit is a smart investment with a number of benefits for homeowners. Fire pits are ideal for entertaining friends or relaxing around with family, they boost your property value, and make a gorgeous, elegant addition to any outdoor living space.
Once you decide on a fire pit as your next landscaping project, one of the first questions to answer is whether you want a gas or wood-burning design. There are a few different factors you’ll want to consider as you make your decision.
Fuel Storage & Availability
First and foremost, you should consider which fuel source is going to be more convenient for you to obtain regularly and store on your property. Do you live in a rural area, with plenty of trees for firewood right in your own backyard? Or are you in a more suburban setting, where gas would be easier to use?
Don’t forget that once you have your fuel, you’re going to have to come up with some creative storage solutions for it as well. Do you have a small shed, perfect for storing firewood? Will you be able to find a spot for a large propane tank that doesn’t disrupt the aesthetic of your property? These are all important, practical elements to factor into your decision.
Installation & Maintenance
In terms of cost and convenience, a wood-burning fire pit is going to be cheaper and quicker to install. It’s a fairly simple project that a professional can have ready to go in a few hours (depending on the size). A gas fire pit, on the other hand, requires the use of a gas line, which can be trickier and more time-consuming to set up.
Something else to consider is that while a wood-burning fire pit may have a more appealing upfront cost and convenience, it will require much more regular maintenance over time. You’ll need to regularly order or chop, stack, and carry the wood required to fuel it, plus the leftover soot and ash will need to be cleaned often. Comparatively, once a gas fire pit is installed it requires very little maintenance beyond a quick wipe down and the flip of a switch.
Safety & Environmental Considerations
As a responsible homeowner, safety should be a top concern as you design your landscape. Gas fire pits present fewer fire hazards than their wood-burning counterparts, and would thus be better suited to smaller spaces or households with children. A wood-burning fire pit is still an option, you’ll just have to be sure to practice the required safety measures at all times.
If one of your priorities is the environmental impact of your fire pit, a gas-fueled model may also be a more attractive option. Gas runs considerably cleaner, making it better for the environment and your health when you breathe in the surrounding air. Although, wood is a renewable resource, so depending on other factors a wood-burning fire pit may still be a viable choice as well.
Whichever type of fire pit you choose to complete your landscape, VistaPro Landscape & Design can provide the professional design and installation services you need.
Our landscaping specialists will work with you to build a custom fire pit or outdoor fireplace to suit the needs and style of your property. We’ll help you choose the best design concept, materials, and fuel source to ensure your fire pit blends seamlessly with the rest of your outdoor space while offering you the safety and convenience you’re looking for in a landscape feature.
Contact the team at VistaPro today to get started on your custom fire pit to have it ready just in time for summer!