The fire pit builder.
Choose a shape, a fuel, a wall material and what goes in the burner, see the flame change and send your design with a free estimate.
- 6 shapes
- 4 fuels
- Free, no signup
Round fire pit in stacked stone, with real oak logs and a medium wood fire.
A visual guide only. Real flames, materials and heat depend on the design, the site and the fuel, and we always confirm on a free visit.
1 Shape Round
2 Fuel Wood
3 Wall and cap Stacked stone
4 In the burner Oak logs
5 Flame size Medium
- Heat
- Ease
- Clean burn
- Low running cost
Crackle, smell and the most radiant heat. Needs seasoned firewood, ash cleanup and more clearance.
- Heat
- Ease
- Clean burn
- Low running cost
Switch on, flames in seconds, no smoke or ash. Needs a gas line, and costs little to run.
- Heat
- Ease
- Clean burn
- Low running cost
Gas-style ease anywhere in the yard. A concealed or buried tank feeds taller flames.
- Heat
- Ease
- Clean burn
- Low running cost
A soft decorative flame with no line or chimney. Gentle heat, so best for small and tabletop features.
Four fuels, compared.
Bars show how each fuel scores on heat, ease, clean burning and running cost.
Wood
Best for: crackle, heat and tradition
- Heat
- Ease
- Clean burn
- Low running cost
Crackle, smell and the most radiant heat. Needs seasoned firewood, ash cleanup and more clearance.
Try it in the builderNatural gas
Best for: ease, patios near the house
- Heat
- Ease
- Clean burn
- Low running cost
Switch on, flames in seconds, no smoke or ash. Needs a gas line, and costs little to run.
Try it in the builderPropane
Best for: gas-style fire anywhere
- Heat
- Ease
- Clean burn
- Low running cost
Gas-style ease anywhere in the yard. A concealed or buried tank feeds taller flames.
Try it in the builderEthanol
Best for: small, decorative flames
- Heat
- Ease
- Clean burn
- Low running cost
A soft decorative flame with no line or chimney. Gentle heat, so best for small and tabletop features.
Try it in the builderFive rules for a fire you will use.
Start with the habit
The best fire is the one that is easy enough to light on an ordinary Tuesday.
Respect clearances
Distance from the house, trees and overhead matters more than the look.
Size it to the group
A 36 to 44 inch pit suits most families; bigger groups need bigger or linear.
Match the materials
Stone, brick or steel that echoes your house always looks right.
Plan for the whole room
Seating, paths, lighting and storage make a pit feel finished.
Get your number
A free visit turns all of this into one written price. Ask for my estimate
Builder questions
Is wood or gas better for a fire pit?
Wood gives the crackle, the smell and the most radiant heat. Gas gives instant flames, no smoke and almost no cleanup, and it suits patios near the house and neighborhoods with burn restrictions. Try both in the Fire Pit Builder, then we can talk through your yard and your habits.
How far should a fire pit be from the house?
Guidance commonly runs 10 to 25 feet from structures for wood pits, less for some listed gas units, plus clear space overhead. We follow the manufacturer's listing, local code and any HOA limits, and we mark clearances on site before anything is built.
Is a gas fire pit safe?
A properly installed gas fire pit has an accessible shutoff, flame supervision and tested connections, and it burns without sparks. We install to local code, teach you the shutoffs and offer yearly safety inspections.
Should I choose natural gas or propane?
Natural gas is cheaper to run but needs a line from your meter. Propane works anywhere, with a concealed or buried tank, and burns a little taller. We help you choose based on where gas is available and how often you will burn.
Love a combination?
Send it with your estimate request and we will bring matching samples to your yard.