We have a lot of customers who come in this time of the year and ask how to build a firepit. The answer to this questions is actually pretty difficult. There is not a single best solution of how to build a firepit. You need to take into consideration the following:
1. Where. Map out the space where it is going first. A lot of times your patio is not big enough to put a fireplace in the middle or on the edge. Sometimes having a firepit that you can move when you are not using it is a good idea.
2. Buget. How much are you looking to spend. Firepits typically range from $200 at the cheapest end to over $2000. I would try and put aside $800-1000 if you want a really nice permanent fireplace.
3. Skills. Do you have the masonry skills to do it yourself or should you hire a professional or invite over your friends to help. Most firepits can be built without a professional but you have to be willing to accept the imperfections that come along with the DIY approach. Sometimes that is the most rewarding part. If you want it to look perfect but still want to do it yourself, I would suggest going with a prefabricated block system instead of masonry brick or stone.
4. Look. Lastly, what do you want the overall firepit to look like. Do you want it to be brick to match your house? Do you want a natural looking firepit built out of stone?
Below are some options and typicall DIY costs associated with each type. If you are interested in any of these options please come in and I will talk you through how I can up with my estimated costs. Please note: These are "estimated" costs.
Option 1: Frongate Firepit: Buy a portable firepit from Home Depot or the one pictured is Frontgate. Believe it or not this is the most practical method and sometimes the best if you are still undecided whether you are going to use it often or not. I actually have the Frontgate firepit below and love it. I use it all the time but I like that i can move it around to different parts of the patio when I am not using it. I am also in the process of determining where I want one permanently and this is hopefully going to solve this problem by trying it in different locations.
Cost : $400.00
Option 2: Country Manor Block
At Fieldstone Center we sell a variety of wall products that would be good to use to build a firepit. The one pictured below is our country manor wall block from Belgard. The disadvantage we have when you are using precast block products is you have to buy the entire pallets of wall and cap block. This will
Cost: $950.00
Option 3: CMU Block
One of the simpliest ways to create a firepit in your backyard is to use 8x8 or 8x16 block and form a circle or rectangle. Instead of mortaring each block together, simply buy premixed bagged mortar or concrete and fill the blocks solid. You can add firebrick on the inside of the block or parge the surface with refractory cement. I would suggest using a #57 granite gravel floor as the base so that it can drain properly.
Cost: $350.00
Option 4: Carolina Kettle
The Carolina Kettle is a replica of the 19th Century syrup kettles. I have seen these kettles placed on a stand or built in to a solid structure. This method will give you an attractive fireplace quickly for instant gratification. As a firepit the kettle is fairly expensive but will be a great conversation piece.
Cost: 1500.00
Option 5: Firerock Firepit
Firerock makes a precast firepit that we sell at our office on Johns Island. It is easy to put together and you can burn directly in the firepit with out firebrick . It is easy to assemble and comes in a square or rectangular shape.
Cost: $800.00
Option 6: Firebrick First
Lastly, one of the most practical ways to build a firepit is to build a square or circular wall out of full thickness firebrick. After you have completed the firebirck to the desired height you can stack stone around the outside perimeter and fill the void with concrete.
Cost: $650.00
