There is nothing like a nice firepit to warm yourself during cold nights. What is stopping you from having one in the comforts of your own backyard?
Who knows maybe this article will is the inspiration that you need so read on.
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Why Build A DIY Firepit?
A Good Excuse to Get Together
Firepits are an excellent pretext for you and your friends and family to bond. What could be more inspiring for an evening of conversation but the warmth of a fire?
Since our ancestors first discovered fire, it has become an indispensable communal tool. Aside from providing light and safety, the warmth of fire nourished civilizations.
Who knows what philosophical treatises or scientific ideas have been forged from bonfire gatherings? In this time and age, where technology, despite the promise of bringing us together, is in reality, keeping everyone more alienated, real human contact is more important than ever. And the rehabilitation of our damaged social relationship could start from a small firepit.
Top 4 Reasons Why You Should Have a Firepit
1. It Makes Your Home More Stylish
Who says you have to spend hundreds of dollars to make your patio or backyard posh? A simple stone firepit, for instance, could transform the blandest backyard into something the Queen of England would approve. Or maybe not. But you get the point, right?
The cool thing about this is, you won’t have to blow your annual savings to start this project. A quick trip to the nearest home depot is all it takes. It would also be great if you are living near quarries or a place where stones are free for picking. Once you got the raw materials, all it will take is a bit of manpower and of course, your creativity.
2. It Provides Easy Enjoyment for the Family
If you think that a firepit is a mere fancy fixture with limited usefulness, then you haven’t explored its full potential yet. In fact, a firepit can be used the whole year-round. Winter, spring, summer, or fall, firepits can be enjoyed by the whole family.
On colder nights, a firepit will provide warmth and comfort. A perfect centerpiece for gatherings and conversations. But even during less cold seasons, you can also take advantage of this amenity. For example, you can throw an outdoor party during summer evenings. What could be cooler than a bunch of friends enjoying beer and barbecue in the yard in front of a soothing firepit?
3. It is Flexible
No. A firepit is not a one-trick pony. Aside from making your home look cooler, you can also build it in any outdoor space. Regardless of your backyard’s size, there is a special firepit that would be a good fit. Firepit designs nowadays are varied. The options are limitless. The only limit is your imagination. Do you want a firepit that looks like something out of a Viking movie? No sweat!
The most common type of firepit is the traditional one that uses wood as fuel. The thing is, the wood-burning firepit is not so cool when it comes to the environment. Good thing there are other options that you can choose from nowadays. One option is the natural gas firepit. A natural gas firepit is smokeless yet it requires a professional to operate. A more user-friendly alternative is a propane firepit. This option is portable which makes it suitable for camping and other remote outdoor activities.
4. It Brings People Together
As mentioned earlier, since the dawn of civilization, firepits have been the first communal hotspot for people. There is no wonder why even today, the ambiance of a primitive firepit is simulated even on luxurious gatherings. Company meetings are done while artificial firepits or fireplaces burn in the background.
A firepit set the mood of a social gathering. Long and meaningful evenings spent with friends and family are best enjoyed and savored in front of a warm fire. It provides subtle entertainment for people without creating too much distraction. It is just there to lubricate timid tongues who would otherwise freeze in silence and isolation.
RELATED: Fire Safety Precautions When Building Campfires
How to Build a Firepit
Now that you have the reason to have a firepit in your home, it’s time to build one. Below are easy steps on how to make a firepit.
Step 1: Choose a Location
Decide on where is the best spot in your backyard or patio to assemble your DIY firepit. Choose a safe place far from combustible materials like trees, grass, and any wooden structures.
Step 2: Mark and Set Up the Site
Mark the location and prepare it by removing unwanted obstructions like grass, small, trees, rocks, and other unwanted materials.
Step 2: Build the Gravel Base
Your firepit needs a solid foundation for durability. Gravel is the ideal material to use in building the base. Lay the gravel uniformly on the base area.
Step 4: Lay it Out
Once done with the base, you can now layout your firepit’s basic structure using stones cut to uniform sizes.
Step 5: Secure the Blocks
After you test-fit the blocks and ensuring that everything is good, you can now use construction adhesive to fortify your firepit. Easy does it.
Safety First Before Pleasure
You’ve heard this advice a thousand times before but sadly it is not heeded enough. So, we will remind you again, always put safety on the priority list. Combustible materials such as wood, plastic, and paper, should be put a few meters away from the pit. Make sure children don’t play with fire. For those who will use natural gas or a propane firepit, make sure that you know what you are doing. If in doubt, leave it to the experts.
Check out this How to Build a DIY Smokeless Firepit vid by How To Home:
Your patio or backyard need not be a boring place to hang out. With a bit of imagination and some work, you can turn it into the hottest place in town. By building a simple firepit, you can make dull evenings fun again. Enjoy and stay safe!
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What do you think is the best fun activity to do in front of a firepit? Feel free to share your warm thoughts in the comment section below!
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