There’s nothing quite like gathering around a fire pit with friends and family when it comes to summertime fun. If you’re considering adding a fire pit to your backyard patio, you may wonder if you can use patio pavers for the project. The answer is yes—with a few caveats.
You can use patio pavers for a fire pit—but there are a few things you need to keep in mind first. Make sure to choose heat-resistant materials like kiln-fired bricks or stone for an above-ground pit or concrete pavers for a subsurface pit. You’ll also need to line the inner wall of your crater with heat-resistant materials like metal or steel and ensure that the area where you’re placing your pit has good drainage.
The Rundown Using Patio Pavers for a Firepit
The type of paver you use will depend on the location of your fire pit. If you’re planning on having an above-ground fire pit, you’ll need to use pavers that are kiln-fired or made of stone. Both of these substances can withstand high temperatures without being damaged. However, it’s essential to use caution when sitting around an above-ground fire pit made of stone, as it can be easy to slip and fall into the pit.
If you’re planning on having a subsurface fire pit, kiln-fired pavers are still a good option. However, you can also use concrete pavers for this fire pit. Concrete pavers are durable and heat-resistant so that flames won’t damage them. Further, they are available in a wide range of shapes and hues, giving you plenty of room for individual expression in your design.
Heat-Resistant Compounds
No matter what type of paver you use, it’s essential to line the inner wall of your fire pit with heat-resistant materials like fire brick, metal, or steel. The exterior wall can be made of brick, stone, or concrete.
When choosing a location for your fire pit, it’s also essential to choose a spot with good drainage. To prepare the area for your fire pit, dig out a bowl-shaped hole about 12 inches deep. Then fill the hole with compactable gravel, so your fire pit has a firm foundation.
Once the hole is filled with gravel, level off the top so that pavers will sit evenly around the perimeter.
For an above-ground fire pit, lay your pavers around the outside edge of the hole. If you’re using a subsurface fire pit, place your pavers over the hole and then fill in any gaps with more gravel. Once everything is in place, give your fire pit a good spray with the hose to settle everything into place.
One last tip: If you want to be extra safe with your fire pit, use portable fire pits. Portable Fire Pits can be set on concrete pavers without destroying them. Or you can Lay fire-resistant stones or bricks between your fire pit and pavers to prevent heat damage.
What type of pavers should you use for a fire pit?
When building a patio fire pit, it is vital to use safe and durable pavers. Kiln-fired brick is a good choice for this application, as it is both practical and safe. Landscaping brick that has been kiln-fired is also a good option, as it is resistant to fire and frost.
Fire Brick paver stones are another excellent option, as they are fireproof and resistant to cracking. Concrete brick can be used outside the firepit, but it is not as durable as the other choices and should be used with caution.
What to Put Under Portable Fire Pit
When using a portable fire pit, it is essential to use a pit mat, fire ring, or heat screen to protect concrete from heat. Concrete can withstand the heat from the fire, but it will not catch on fire like wood can.
A portable fire pit on a deck or patio is vital to using non-flammable materials like gravel, crushed rock, or glass. Bricks or concrete slabs can also be used as a base for a portable fire pit. Lava rocks can also line the bottom of the pit to help contain the heat.
Will Concrete Pavers Explode or Crack in Fire
Concrete pavers can explode or crack in a fire, depending on the type of concrete used and how it is used in a fire pit. If the wrong materials are used, such as concrete blocks, pea gravel, or river rocks, water can get trapped, and heat can cause explosions.
If cinder blocks aren’t porous, steam can build up and explode. Concrete not meant to be used in fire pits, such as compressed concrete blocks, can also explode from the heat.
Where to Get Fire Pit Paver Kits
When finding a fire pit kit, there are a few different places you can go. Lowe’s, Walmart, Roman-Stone, The Home Depot, and Amazon are all popular retailers that carry these kits. You can also source them at specialty stores or online.
Once you have decided on the specifics of the fire pit kit that you want, it is time to start shopping around.
All of the retailers mentioned above have websites where you can browse their selections and make a purchase. If you don’t want to buy online or in a store, you can also search for local suppliers in your area.
Can You Put a Fire Pit on Porcelain Tiles
Yes, you can put a fire pit on porcelain tiles. Porcelain tiles are impervious to fire, so they will not burn or give off any smoke or dangerous gases. They will not readily catch fire. This makes them a safe and convenient option for putting a fire pit on your patio.
Pavestone Rumblestone Smokeless Firepit (cost-effective)
Follow “Just a Dude Channel.” Matt shows how he made a smokeless Pavestone Rumble Stone Firepit. It cost $300. Instead of Rumblestone Trap Stones, he used a Pleasant Hearth Firepit insert. Please subscribe to his channel if you find value in what he does.
Just a Dude. (2021, August 5). Save Money and DIY a Smokeless Fire Pit. Build a Pavestone Rumblestone Smokeless Firepit for cheap! YouTube. Retrieved October 11, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xlsf15ACGB8
Conclusion
So, if you feel like a DIY weekend project, try building a fire pit with patio pavers. It’s a relatively simple task, and you can be as creative as you want with the design.
Follow all the necessary safety precautions, and you can enjoy spending time outdoors with friends and family around a cozy fire pit made with patio pavers.
