We have all spent countless hours sitting around a fire pit on a chilly night, listening to the crackle of the fire and enjoying the warmth it brings. There’s just something about being around that warm glow that makes you feel alive. What if you could take that feeling with you, even when it is too hot during the summer months to enjoy a fire outside? You can, by building your own wood-burning fire pit. Let’s discuss How to build a fire pit on a wooden deck or whether it is good or not to build a fire pit on a wooden deck.
Can you build a fire pit on a wooden deck?
The simple answer is yes, you can. While it’s not always a good idea or recommended, you can build a fire pit on a wooden deck. You will need to take some precautions and do the job right if the answer is going to be yes for your situation. Our guide will help you how to build a fire pit on a wooden deck in a safe way.
How to build a fire pit on a wooden deck
Building a fire pit on your deck is a relatively easy task that can be completed in just a few hours. The best part is that you can use materials you likely have lying around your house, so there’s no need to spend extra money on supplies. In this article, you’ll find all the information you need to create your own outdoor fire pit.
What You Will Need
Before starting this project, make sure that you have everything on hand. Here’s a full list of supplies that are needed for building a fire pit on your deck:
- Paver base (or bricks)
- Sand
- Gravel
- Plate compactor
- Leveling instrument (such as a level or builder’s square)
- Wheelbarrow
- Shovel
- Hammer and chisel (optional)
- Protective eye wear
- Garden hose or spray nozzle
- Fire pit glass (optional)
Step by step procedure of building a fire pit on a wooden deck
1-Choose a Location for the Pit
This is one of those tasks that you will need to do before purchasing and laying out all of your materials. You’ll want to pick an area that is away from trees or overhead branches. The fire pit should not be located under balconies, near elevators, or in front of exit doors. Keep it at least 20 feet away from any structure to avoid the chance of a fire spreading. Next, find a level spot—this is very important so you don’t have to worry about your fire pit wobbling. Use a level or builder’s square to determine if the ground is level. If it’s not, use a shovel to even out the surface.
2-Layout the Paver Base
The paver base will be what your fire pit sits on, so make sure it’s nice and level. Start by measuring the length and width of the area where you will be laying down your paver base. You can use a tape measure or ruler for this. After you have the length and width, multiply them to find out how many square feet of paver base material you’ll need. The standard size for pavers is 8″x8″, so keep that in mind when measuring. Once you have the square footage, purchase the paver base and start laying it out. You’ll want to make sure that the edges of the base are straight, so use a level or builder’s square as you lay it down. If your paver base has a tendency to move around, tamp it down with a plate compactor.
3-Add a Layer of Sand
Once the paver base is down, add a layer of sand on top. This will help to keep the pavers in place and also make it easier to light fires in your fire pit. The thickness of the sand layer will depend on how big your fire pit is. For a small fire pit, you’ll only need a thin layer of sand. For a larger fire pit, you’ll need a thicker layer. Use a shovel to add the sand, making sure to level it out as you go.
4-Add the Pavers
Once the sand is in place, add the pavers on top. Again, make sure that the edges of the pavers are straight. If they’re not, use a hammer and chisel to adjust them. Once the pavers are in place, add more sand on top to fill in any gaps.
5-Add the Final Layer of Sand and Gravel
The final layer of your fire pit should be a mix of sand and gravel. Start with a layer of sand, about one inch thick. Then add a layer of gravel that is about 2 inches thick. This will give your fire pit a nice look and also help to keep it from sinking into the deck boards.
6-Start the Fire
Once everything has been laid down on your deck, start a small fire in order to burn off any wood or paint that might still be on the bottom of your fire pit. This will keep your fire pit from releasing chemicals and also help it to maintain its color and finish. Make sure to only burn the bottom of the fire pit for a few minutes before turning off all of the gas valves and letting it cool down.
7-Enjoy your New Fire Pit!
Now that your fire pit is all set up, you can start using it! Be sure to keep a close eye on it while it’s burning and always have a bucket of water or hose nearby in case of emergencies. Enjoy the warmth and ambiance of a crackling fire on those chilly nights!
So, as you can see, it’s not hard to set up a fire pit on top of your wood deck. Just follow the instructions above and you should be fine! Enjoy!
Is it safe to build a fire pit on a wooden deck?
This is a question that many people ask, and the answer is yes—as long as you take the proper precautions. When building a fire pit on a wooden deck, you’ll want to make sure to use a paver base and add a layer of sand between the pavers and the deck boards. This will help to protect the wood from the heat of the fire and also prevent any fires from spreading.
If you follow the above tips, your fire pit should be safe to use! Just keep a close eye on it and you should have no problems. If you are still confused to build a fire pit on a wooden deck, you can buy a pre-build patio fire pit to use on your wooden deck floor.
In which situation, you should not build your fire pit on a wooden deck?
Sometimes, even if you add a paver base and add a layer of sand between the deck boards and the paver base, it is just not enough. Some wood decks are made of softer or more porous types of wood that can wear down due to prolonged exposure of temperatures over 120 degrees. This occurs when the paver base gets too hot and radiates the heat up through the deck boards.
If you have a wooden deck of that soft type of wood and you are unsure if it is safe to build a fire pit on top of it, it is best to consult a professional. They will be able to tell you if your deck is sturdy enough to support a fire pit and also give you some other tips on how to make your fire pit safe to use.
In short, it is generally safe to build a fire pit on a wooden deck as long as you take the proper precautions. Make sure to use a paver base and add a layer of sand between the pavers and the deck boards. Consult a professional in case of doubt for building a fire pit on a wooden deck or buy a pre-build fire pit like AZ Patio Propane Fire Pit.
Safety tips and Instructions for building a fire pit on a wooden deck:
- Do not build fires if it is windy outside.
- Keep the fire pit small and manageable, and always extinguish all fires before leaving them unattended.
- Build a fire pit on a wooden deck only if it is safe to do so. Be sure the wood deck boards are of good quality and can handle some heat without becoming too soft or worn down.
- Always place a screen of some kind above your fire pit, such as a wire mesh grate or metal screen with small holes, in order to prevent sparks and embers from flying upward.
- Place a layer of sand between the fire pit and the wood deck boards, about an inch or two deep. This will help to protect the deck boards from the heat that can cause them to warp.
- Keep any hose or buckets of water nearby in case you need to put out a fire.
FAQs:
Can I build a fire pit on my wood deck?
Yes, you can build with the proper safety precautions. Make sure to use a paver base, place a layer of sand between the pavers and the wooden deck boards, make sure your wooden deck is sturdy enough to support heat, etc.
Can I build a fire pit directly on my wooden deck?
No, it is not safe to do so. The heat from the fire pit can damage or even burn your deck boards.
Can I use a gas-powered fire pit on my wood deck?
Yes, you can, but be sure to use a paver base and add a layer of sand between the paver base and the wooden deck boards. Gas fire pits get very hot, and this will help to prevent your deck from becoming too hot and damaged.
What should I do if my wooden deck starts to warp or burn from the heat of the fire pit?
If your wooden deck starts to show signs of damage or warping, it is best to stop using the fire pit and consult a professional. They will be able to tell you if your deck is sturdy enough to support a fire pit and give you some other tips on how to make your fire pit safe to use.
What if the paver base doesn’t fit?
Use a circular saw to cut it down to size so that it fits nicely. You can also use a grinder with a thick metal grinding wheel, but be sure to wear protective eyewear and gloves when doing this!
What if the sand is too hot?
If the sand around the fire pit gets too hot, you can try adding more sand. If that does not work, you should take out the paver base and set it aside for now. Then place a thick layer of pebbles or rocks surrounding your fire pit (starting about one foot away). Finally, surround the pebble area with another two inches of sand. This will help to insulate the sand and keep it from getting too hot.
