The toasty, cosy fire pit where you can roast marshmallows is slowly becoming a must-have feature in Australian backyards.
When nights grow chilly and sweaters are out of the closet, this outdoor space is where you can relax alone or with family. They are not that hard to construct. But if we’re talking about the safety quotient, natural stones are your best bet.
How Natural Stones Are Best for Backyard Fire Pit?
Stone tiles like Limestone, Granite or Travertine bring durability and heat resistance all in one package. When used for wall cladding or flooring, Limestone tiles or pavers especially absorb the heat. These stones are robust enough to endure years of exposure to fire, making it an ideal fire pit material. The grainy texture of these stones with pores also radiates the absorbed heat just enough to keep you warm all night long.
And do not worry about building one! It is not as hard as it sounds. In this blog, we will be taking you through all the steps to build an aesthetic yet safe backyard fire pit.
P.S - For better ideation, we will consider Limestone tiles as the material. You can likewise go through the same process for Granite or Travertine as well.
Also Read: 5 Natural Stone Crazy Pavers Options to Refresh Your Fireplace
Step-By-Step Process of Building a Backyard Fire Pit
Looking for a DIY option to build a backyard fit pit? Well, we do recommend asking for professional help, but these easy steps will help you build one yourself, too.
- Find The Spot Where You Would Want Your Fire Pit
- Make Sure to Have a Flat Base
- Get Your Build On
When constructing a fire pit, safety is paramount. It might seem tempting to place a fire pit in a backyard nook or corner. But you should exercise extreme caution when starting a fire anyplace close to the home, fences, plants, sheds or equipment.
An open space with nothing overhead and lots of space to sit or stand around the fire pit is the safest location for one in a backyard. You can also choose to build one near the water. Since we are using Limestone tiles for flooring and walling, they can easily be sealed and made waterproof.
Put on your boots and grab your reliable shovel after you’ve located and marked off your place. You should dig a square or round hole that is about three feet in diameter and 100 mm deep.
After you are done with the digging, the next step is to have a flat base. You’ll need to make sure that the bottom of the pit is levelled. Once you’re satisfied with the levelling, the next step would be to cover the base.
There are two materials that are prominently used as base material when laying Limestone floor tiles. These are sand or concrete mortar mixtures. Choosing any one of the two can help provide the base optimum stability and anchoring.
Here’s the exciting part: building the fire pit!
Choose the best-in-class natural stone tiles for walling. We are going with Tundra Grey Limestone tiles here. The stones’ grey tonality will give the space a muted and timeless appeal. Not only do these high-quality tiles from our selection look stunning and professional, but as mentioned above, they are heat-resistant and durable.
Place the tiles on one level all the way around the pit’s edge. Just give them a little tap with a rubber mallet if you need to adjust them slightly to keep them level. Place a second ring of evenly spaced Limestone tiles on top of the first, allowing a few tiny spaces in between to allow air to circulate. Continue the same process.
Once you’re done laying the tiles to an appropriate height, the next step is to add adhesive. We would recommend it to dry for at least two days before you start your first fire.
P.s- If your backyard fire pit is built on the grass for added protection, consider removing a 10-inch area around it and adding some natural stone cobblestones.
If you’re looking for ideas and inspiration for outdoor fire pits, click here!
Backyard Fire Pit Safety Tips
Once you’re done with building the backyard fire pit, it is important to understand that safety is also crucial.
- Keep children and dogs at least three feet away from the fire at all times and arrange chairs a fair distance from it.
- When utilising the fire pit, have extinguishers and fire blankets close by.
- Check the direction of the wind and any surrounding flammable materials before starting a fire.
- Never try to start a fire with lighter fluid. Use a starting log or kindling.
- Remember to re-seal your tiles every 2-3 years, as recommended by the most trusted suppliers of Limestone.
To Wrap Up
Building a fire pit in your backyard can turn your outdoor area into a warm haven on chilly nights. Longevity and safety are guaranteed when using natural stone tiles like Limestone, Granite or Travertine that are resilient to heat. At Stone Depot, we have a myriad of options to choose from. You can go for Tundra Grey Limestone floor tiles for the fire pit surround, and likewise choose other walling tiles for the main fir pit. All our products come in premium grade.
You can make a visually beautiful and useful fire pit by following a methodical technique. Always remember that safety comes first. Re-seal your stone tiles on a regular basis, have fire extinguisher tools close by and maintain a safe distance from flammable goods.
Your backyard fire pit may become a treasured feature for family get-togethers and leisure time with thoughtful design and implementation.
FAQs
- What is the best material for fire pits?
- Is natural stone fire resistant?
- Which stone is good for fire?
- How much heat can natural stones withstand?
All natural stones are recommended to be used for fire pits. However, Limestone floor tiles are one of the most popular choices in Australia in terms of colours and textures.
Natural stones are non-combustible, making it a fire-resistant material. Heat transfer is, nevertheless, rather quick due to the thermal conductivity of stone.
All types of natural stones are heat resistant, which makes them a good material for places with fire.
It completely depends on the type of natural stone you’ve selected. Most of them can withstand up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit without experiencing immediate damage.
*Disclaimer: All information and advice given above in the blog are to the best of our knowledge. Please reconfirm at your end before execution.
