BEST PRACTICES FOR FIRE FEATURE INSTALLATION IN THE CONTRACTOR'S CORNER

The use of fire features in outdoor living designs is becoming more and more common. People from all walks of life are drawn to fire because of its primitive essence. The effectiveness and caliber of your installations can be enhanced by following these best practice suggestions when installing a fire pit, fireplace, or fire table to an outdoor living area.

LAY A GOOD FOUNDATION AT THE GET GO.

aggregate fire pit base

A typical paver base will work for placing smaller items like a fire pit or fire table. To prevent moving, an outdoor fireplace may need a base with greater support. To view a sample cross section of a concept suited for use with the installation of Belgard ElementsTM Collection products, click here. It's usually a good idea to get the advice of a civil or landscape engineer for larger custom projects.

NEVER FORGET HOW HOT A FIRE IS.

Hardscape materials must be shielded from heat damage, as easy as that may sound. A steel fire ring insert is a useful tool for fire pit building since it not only protects the wall block but also helps to position the stones. It gives a fire pit a complete appearance as well. A different choice would be to line the fire pit's interior with fire bricks. There are numerous businesses that sell fireplace inserts and flu kits for building fireplaces. However, do your homework and confirm that the components are rated for outdoor use and correctly constructed for your particular project. Fire brick or refractory cement panels, screens, and a spark arrestor termination cap are required components of a wood-burning fireplace. If not, there can be drafting concerns, and getting municipal permits might be challenging.

ARE YOU A GOOD PLUMBER?

For any installations of gas fire features, seek advice from a licensed plumber. For fireplaces and pits that burn wood, you might also want to think about adding a gas starter. Additionally, be sure to use premium outdoor-rated items from a dependable manufacturer.

AWARENESS OF CODES

Regarding local codes, inquire with HOAs and towns. A wood-burning feature will often need to be positioned 15 to 25 feet away from any structures. The same setback is not necessary for gas fire features, and in many circumstances they can be built next to another structure. Find out if burning wood is even permitted. Gas may be the only option in many situations.

FIRE SAVING FEATURES SHOULD BE USED.

With goods like pre-built outdoor fireplaces and ready-to-install fire pit kits, you may drastically decrease installation time, expense, and waste—unless a bespoke construction is necessary. A skid steer pallet loader is used to quickly install some fireplaces that are transported on pallets in two readymade components. In most cases, fire pit kits are provided with all the necessary components, including stones that are specifically shaped for quick on-site fire pit installation, negating the need for masonry cuts.

UTILIZE GOOD PRODUCTS.

Use a reputable brand of outdoor masonry foam adhesive that is currently available. A strong adhesive will guarantee the durability and strength of your project.