Homeowners: Tips for a DIY Fire Pit

Fire pits are the hottest thing in outdoor entertaining. They're simple to construct, provide light for summer evenings, and the chance to perfect your smores-making technique. As the evenings draw in and take on the crispness of fall, fire pits provide the warmth you'll want when enjoying a cup of cider.

Part of the beauty of fire pits is their flexibility. They can be as petite as a salad bowl or large enough for the whole family to roast marshmallows. You can have them professionally installed, assemble them yourself from a kit, or even design and build one on your own. Our real estate agents enjoy seeing how a DIY contribution to a home reflects the tastes of the homeowner and celebrates the style of the home itself. If you'd like your own custom fire pit, keep the following tips in mind.

• Safety First
  Take a good look at the area surrounding where you'd like your fire pit. Make sure that potentially flammable materials are kept at a distance. This includes the area above your fire pit. Avoid enclosed porches or wooden structures that hang over the area where you place your fire pit. If you want to build your fire pit on a grassy area, use paver stones to keep the area immediately surrounding the fire pit covered. Summer drought in the area of our South Bend homes for sale can leave grass dry and potentially flammable. Designate an area several feet from the fire pit for storing kindling and fuel. Keep the fire extinguishing materials handy, however.
  
  
• Crack the Color Code
  Stone and brick are two popular materials for fire pits and homes, and one of the easiest ways to give your fire pit the right look is to coordinate with your home. If your home has rock siding or brick exterior, carry those colors into your fire pit. If your home is new construction, you may have samples around or be able to look up the type of brick or stone used to help you match colors. For the experienced DIYer, cast concrete fire pits can either naturally match the home's exterior or be dyed to match with a concrete stain.
   
• Fueling the Fire
  Your best fuel options for fire pits are gel canisters, commercially seasoned firewood, and pressed wood logs. These are designed to ignite quickly and burn efficiently. Avoid using green wood or other wood not processed for burning. Green wood contains too much moisture to ignite or burn well, and wood treated for purposes other than burning can contain harmful chemicals. If you have a larger fire pit and an indoor fireplace, you may be able to use the same fuel for both. 

A fire pit is a great weekend project that can add sentimental and monetary value to a home. Your fire pit can help make the outdoors the focus for family time and entertaining, and spark the imaginations of potential homebuyers. Contact us today.