From boulders to fountains to pits, fire features are heating up backyard spaces.
Archeologists recently unearthed what appear to be traces of campfires dating back one million years. They show that people have been seeking warmth and comfort around flickering flames much longer than anyone imagined. There’s no telling what history buffs will uncover in another million years, given the growth of fancy firepits in everyday backyards.
“The majority of people doing hardscapes are doing some type of fire feature with it,” reveals Manning Garrett, owner of Green Hill Landscaping. “We live in a region with the perfect climate for firepits. We like to say the best outdoor spaces include four key elements: water, stone, fire, and life.” Without a doubt, fire improves quality of life. Scientists have found that sitting in front of a fire lowers blood pressure and relaxes the mind. Stress slithers away in front of crackling embers and a golden glow.
Whether your goal is to create a space to cook for a crowd, provide heat for a party, or produce a focal point for nightly viewing, Manning says there’s a fire feature to meet your needs. “When homeowners are redoing a backyard, if they don’t ask about a fire feature, we suggest it,” Garrett says. “Fire features expand your living space and get people outside in winter. We frequently install them near an outdoor TV or grill. Whenever we put them in, it motivates people to leave the living room and go outside on the porch or patio.”
While portable fire features are a quick pick at big box stores, Manning says those who upgrade to more substantial fireplaces, pits, and boulders are rarely disappointed. “If you’re redoing your landscaping, plan the hardscaping at the same time,” he recommends. “Do everything all at once, and you’ll complete the project, and get out into the yard, that much sooner.” Let us hold the door open for you.
Types of Fire Features
Portable: Often less expensive, purchased at retail stores or online, these include firepits that can be made of cast iron, stainless steel, and copper, which don’t warp or rust.
Built-in mortar or stone: Permanent firepits, fireplaces, or pizza ovens that burn wood or gas.
Pre-built concrete: Gaining popularity, these installations include fire tables, cubes, and rectangles that use gas.
Fire boulders: Perfect for organic design, boulders involve drilling a hole to insert a burner. The top can be natural or polished.
Chiminea: With origins in Mexico and the Southwest, chimineas are traditionally made from terra-cotta. Newer models may be made of different metals.
Hot Rocks
In recent years, fire boulders have been growing in popularity. “They’re becoming much more common in Greenville,” Manning explains. “They are easy to install, look fantastic at night, and still lend another level of organic character when not lit.”
Eric Gleason added three fire boulders to his backyard on Greenville’s Eastside. “I wanted water and fire together. That was my theme,” he recalls. “We have a couple of waterfalls into a koi pond and a pavilion with a fireplace. Everybody comments on how great the yard looks.”
He originally built the pavilion to hang out and watch football, not realizing everyone would wind up gazing at the fire boulders. “They add a lot to the yard,” he says. “I turn them on when people come over and the aesthetics are great. They work well. I’m very pleased.”
Fire Features 411
- When it comes to permanent firepits, the most affordable are built from pavers. Materials and installation start at about $1,000, with the average price running about $2,000.
- Cast iron-burning kettles are made in South Carolina and weigh hundreds of pounds. Names and dates can be stamped around the rim.
- Fireplaces can be one of the most expensive options, as creation requires stonemasons working with rocks and stones.
- If a gathering spot for s’mores is the priority, a wood-burning fire feature is preferred. No one wants melting goo dropping onto expensive gas burners.
