If a Landscape Design Is One of Your Resolutions, Here's Why You'll Want to Include a Fire Pit in Naperville, IL
The best landscapes feature areas where friends and family can gather; and nothing is more of a draw than fire. Fire pits are incredibly popular additions to any landscape. These features are reminiscent of a roaring campfire (whether wood or gas-fueled) and can be customized to fit any design theme. So, if a landscape design is one of your resolutions, here’s why you’ll want to include a fire pit in Naperville, IL.
A Communal Structure
Fires are natural attractive forces in a landscape, especially as the temperature begins to dip. Since it allows people to gather in a circle around it, a fire pit is a communal structure which evenly distributes heat in all directions.
A Focal Point or a Destination
A natural gas-fueled fire pit is typically located on the patio where running a gas line is more convenient. A wood-fired or propane-fueled fire pit can be located anywhere in the landscape as a destination spot. A fire pit can be the most prominent feature of your patio, sitting close enough to your house for easy access. It can sit at the edge of a hill or the woods where a spectacular view awaits everyone. It can also anchor a place of ultimate solitude far away from the excitement of the home and the outside world.
A Primal and Mesmerizing Experience
Humans have been fascinated by fire for millennia. Our ancestors used fire for heat, cooking, light, and protection. Today, we still love the fireside experience for these reasons; and fire is something that’s absolutely mesmerizing to look at. While you and your friends and family are enjoying a fireside chat, the fire pit will also visually dazzle while it keeps everyone comfortable. In fact, if you’re enjoying a quiet evening on the patio, a fire pit could turn it into a soothing, meditative experience as you lose yourself in the dance of the flames.
Surprisingly Compact
The amount of heat and light produced by even a small fire pit can do an amazing job of making a gathering area comfortable and intimate. Remember to allow enough space around the fire pit for chairs - approximately 4-7 feet. You could also install a seat wall or high-backed seat wall around the fire pit to create a more intimate space and eliminate the clutter of furniture.
Gas-Fueled Fire Pits: Pros and Cons
Gas-fueled fire pits are gaining in popularity for many reasons. Gas is a safer material for fire pits since the flames are much more consistent and controllable. Gas-fueled fire pits avoid all the mess of smoke and the hassles of firewood, but they won’t have the authentic crackle and aroma of wood; and they are not typically usable for cooking since the lava rock, glass, or faux wood can be difficult to clean if food spills on it and bakes on. Choose natural gas if you don’t want the hassle of propane tanks, unless you want your fire pit to be in a more remote location in which case running a gas line could add significantly to the cost.
Wood-Fueled Fire Pits: Pros and Cons
About as simple as it gets, wood-fueled fire pits require just a masonry structure to contain the flames. You may need a small structure nearby for storing firewood. Wood fires generate more heat than a gas fire pit, and the right wood can make cooked food taste amazing. The snaps, crackles, and aroma of burning wood make for an engaging and memorable experience. However, placement is crucial: a fire pit must be placed far away from any combustible materials including trees.
