Can You Put A Fire Pit On A Deck?
Have you recently purchased a fire pit and don’t know where to put it?
Maybe you have just laid some beautiful decking and want to know if your fire pit is safe to use there?
Or are you just looking for somewhere new to put your fire pit? Whatever your reason might be, we have the answer for you!
We know how tricky it can be to find the perfect place for your fire pit.
Not only do you need to consider the safety of yourself and others, but the practicality of where the fire pit is.
After all, there is no point in having it in a corner of the garden no one uses, how will it keep anyone warm?
The deck makes the most sense, but is it safe to put your fire pit here?
You find yourself searching and searching, never quite getting the answers that you need.
Your fire pit starts to gather dust and you wonder if you will ever use it again.
Well, no more! Today we are here with the answers that you need.
Keep reading to find out if you can put a fire pit on a deck and everything else you need to know!
What Is A Fire Pit?
Before we dive in, let’s have a quick recap for those that need it.
A fire pit is a structure or hole dug in the ground that has space for, you guessed it, a fire!
These pits will often have a small wall or cover around the fire for your safety and are the perfect addition to any garden!
There are four main types of fire pits: wood-burning fire pits, propane fire pits, gel fuel fire pits, and natural gas fire pits.
These fire pits all come in a range of designs from tabletop styles, to the classic round pit with the fire in the center.
When considering what type of fire pit to purchase, you will want to consider the cost of fuel, how easy the fire will be to light and keep lit, and how the design will look in your garden.
Once you have considered these factors, you are ready to start searching for and purchasing your fire pit!
Now that we have established what a fire pit is, let’s move on and look a little closer at if they can be placed on decking or not.
Can You Put A Fire Pit On A Deck?
Let’s get straight into it! A fire pit should not be placed directly on a deck.
Placing a fire pit directly on a composite or wooden deck is extremely dangerous and could cause a fire!
The damage a fire pit could cause ranges from scorching to destroying the entire deck which you do not want!
The heat from the fire could also warp or melt any plastics used in composite decking.
Your fire pit can get very hot, and we don’t think it's worth the risk to place your fire pit directly on the deck!
But there is a way that you can place a fire pit on a deck! You will want to purchase a fire mat.
These mats are specifically designed to sit underneath fire pits and can withstand their extremely high temperatures without getting damaged.
If you don’t want to purchase a fire mat you can also use bricks or pavers.
By placing these under your fire pit, they will absorb most of the heat, keeping your deck safe.
You will just need to take some care when using pavers as they can scratch your deck.
When deciding which is the best option for you, we suggest considering your budget and whether you have any spare bricks or pavers lying around that you could put to good use!
How To Safely Use A Fire Pit On Your Deck
As we mentioned earlier, your fire pit should not be placed on your deck unless there is a fire mat, bricks, or pavers placed underneath to protect your deck from the heat.
But, there are also a few other factors you should consider when using a fire pit safely on your deck. Let’s take a quick look at them now.
Clear Your Deck
The first is to ensure that the area around your fire pit is clean before you light it.
Remove any debris, leaves, lighter fluid, old newspapers, and any other flammable materials before you start.
You don’t want any embers flying from the fire pit and causing fires on other parts of your decking!
Be sure to sweep the decking beforehand and leave plenty of clear space around the fire pit before lighting it.
Consider Your Surroundings
Your deck isn’t the only thing in your garden a fire pit could damage!
There is always the risk that your home could catch fire, especially if the fire pit is too close to it.
Ensure that the fire pit is far away from any walls of your home, at least 20 feet is a good rule to follow.
You will also want to ensure that any chairs or tables are a safe distance from the fire pit too.
Ensure that any children and pets are kept safely away from the fire pit too. The last thing you want is someone burning themselves!
Keep Extinguishers Close By
Make sure you have a fire extinguisher and lots of water close by, just in case you need to put the fire out quickly.
If you don’t have a fire extinguisher then a bucket of water left near the fire pit will ensure that anyone can put the fire out quickly if needed!
Final Thoughts
And there you have it! Although you can place a fire pit on a deck, you should ensure that there is a fire pit, bricks, or pavers underneath the fire pit to protect the deck.
Be sure to follow our tips too to keep you safe while you use your fire pit!