Fire features are a wonderful way to add a bit more warmth to your space, both in regard to comfort as well as actual temperature. They provide a perfect focal point to gather friends and family around for a nice night of barbecuing or just roasting marshmallows for s’mores!
There are various types of fire features to choose from, and two popular options are fire tables and fire pits. While fire pits have been around for a long time and are very common, fire tables are just now rising in popularity for their uniqueness. Depending on a handful of factors, you may prefer one of the other for your personal outdoor living space.
What’s a fire pit?
A fire pit is an outdoor fire feature that can be dug in the ground, installed in a patio, or simply purchased and placed wherever is most convenient for you at the time. They come in a wide variety of designs, shapes, and styles, or you can even just dig up a hole and line it with stones yourself.
Pros:
- Versatile styles: you can have just about any design you want, especially if you have a contractor build and install one for you. You don’t have to be limited to what is in stores.
- Price: depending on the style you go for; they can be incredibly cheap (if you simply dig a hole in your yard and line it with stones) or quite pricey (for more extravagant versions built by contractors).
- Warmth: these beautiful fire features provide a warmth like no other! The more fuel you put in, the bigger and warmer the fire.
- Value: all fire features will increase the value of your home, which is why so many people invest in them.
Cons:
- Stone options: while you’ll have a lot of variety in design with your fire pit, you should also keep in mind that some stones could combust if heated. Choosing fireproof stones or pavers to use for your fire pit is very important, and though you will be slightly limited, there are still a decent amount of options available.
- Safety: since the fire size is going to depend on the amount of fuel you put into the pit, if you go overboard, you can make a serious safety hazard. Since there is no way to really control the size of the fire once it’s going strong, you’ll want to be very cautious to not get too close.
- Smoke: fire pits are often fueled by wood or whatever flammable trash you might have lying around, which means there is a lot more smoke involved. Some people aren’t bothered by smoke as much as others, so it really depends on if it’s a dealbreaker for you.
What’s a fire table?
Fire tables are essentially a more elegant and refined version of a fire pit. Fire pits tend to focus on the technical use of the fire, whereas fire tables focus more on being a statement piece. They provide intimate lighting and bring people closer together as the fire in the center of these tables are small and controlled, often by gas. While you can purchase premade fire tables, they’re much more commonly crafted by masonry contractors at your home.
Pros:
- Elegance: if you’re looking for something with a lot of class, a fire table is a good choice. These fire features are built to look expensive and stylish, setting them way above other fire features.
- Safety: fire tables are most often controlled by gas, allowing you to skip the stress of acquiring firewood to fuel them. This also means that with the click of a button, you can turn the fire on and off, allowing for increased safety and control you can’t get with a fire pit.
- Intimate: when you choose a fire table, you choose a sort of art piece. This helps bring people closer as you gather around it to chat, or you can roast marshmallows and hot dogs. The fire is smaller, but not any less warm that a fire pit.
- Value: as mentioned previously, all fire features will add value to your home and make it worth so much more on your local market.
- Versatility: one of the best things about fire tables is that they can also be used as a regular table when the fire isn’t lit. This means you can fully utilize the space no matter what.
Cons:
- Expensive: fire tables are big investments, since they’re designed to be an elevated version of a fire pit, you will be paying more for them. They’re worth the cost with their beauty, though, but it’s something to keep in mind.
- Fuel: fire tables most often run on gas, which means you have to supply that gas with propane, which can be a hassle.
Whichever option you decide is best for you, College Station Covered Porch and Outdoor Kitchens can build and install for you! Fire features are no problem for us to construct, and we add them to your porch, patio, outdoor kitchen, or anywhere else in your outdoor living space. While our company is based in College Station, TX, we regularly work in local areas like Brenham, Caldwell, Navasota, Snook, Franklin, and Hearne. If you’re interested in hiring us to build your fire pit or fire table for you, give us a call or fill out the form on our contact page today for a FREE estimate!
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