Fireplace vs. Fire Pit: Choosing the Right Fire Feature for Your San Diego Backyard

The holidays are here which means cooler weather for Southern California! While sunny days and little rain mean we get to enjoy our backyards and patio spaces year-round, the nights can get a bit cold during the winter months. 

Installing a fireplace or fire pit in your backyard can add some much-needed warmth and light to those chilly California evenings. But how do you know which one is best for your space? 


FUNCTION


We always ask clients how they intend to use their new, redesigned space to help them evaluate their options and make the right choices. Do you have visions of cocktails enjoyed around the fire pit? Or an elegant dinner party? Since there’s no way to direct the smoke, fire pits can often feel smoky. If you plan to entertain a lot, a fireplace would likely be a better fit since you can enjoy the heat without the smoke. On the other hand, if you have more casual uses planned, a fire pit might be just fine. 

Space is also a consideration. Fireplaces are easier to tuck to the side of a small space. However, if you have a spacious backyard, then you probably won’t mind losing some square footage to a fire pit. 


COST


Fire pits tend to run a bit cheaper than a full fireplace install. Fireplaces often make use of brick, tile, or stone that can really add to the price tag. The ballpark cost for a fire pit is about $3-6K. A fireplace can run you between $4-25K!

When we build a fireplace, we often add built-in seating, which adds to the overall material cost. We also have clients who want to install a TV above the fireplace or some other decorative focal point. 

Though some fire pits are more involved (think tabletop varieties), most pits can be constructed relatively cheaply and easily. 


MAINTENANCE


Whether you choose a fire pit or a fireplace, there’s going to be some maintenance involved. Most of our installations utilize gas which means running a gas fuel line or adding a propane tank. You’ll want to care for these as you would the rest of your home’s HVAC system. 

While it doesn’t rain much in Southern California, it’s a good idea to keep some sort of cover on your fire pit. If you don’t regularly clean out the debris, water can collect on the bottom. This excess water is not only bad for the fire pit, it can become a breeding ground for mosquitos. 

A grate or screen on your fireplace helps keep debris from blowing into the fireplace. You’ll also want to get the chimney inspected and cleaned regularly. 


SAFETY


Do you have young children or exuberant pets? Then a fireplace is usually the safer option as it’s easier to keep small hands and paws away from the open flames. The fire stays in the firebox and a mesh screen provides an extra barrier of safety. 

In contrast, it’s easy for sparks and embers to jump out of a firepit. Small children and pets can also run into the edge of the firepit and burn themselves on the open flames. Mesh grates that go over the top of a fire pit are available, but again, it’s easy to catch a hand on the heated metal. 

Now that you’ve put some thought into whether a fire pit or a fireplace is right for you, the next step is to schedule a consultation with us! You can check out some of our featured past projects here and then reach out to us to get started on your backyard transformation. We look forward to helping you make your vision a reality!
Location: RJ6F+65 San Diego, CA, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

6 Houseplants to Gift for Valentine’s Day

Image
This Valentine’s Day, instead of flowers, candy, and chocolate, give a gift that will last! Houseplants are a great way to show someone you care as they’ll be reminded of you the whole year through.  While there are thousands of options out there to choose from, we’ve selected our top six favorite houseplants to gift for Valentine’s Day below!  Heartleaf Philodendron  With its heart-shaped leaves and vivid green color, this houseplant is a great choice for the person you love! Your sweetheart doesn’t have to have a green thumb to take care of it either. The Heartleaf Philodendron is easy to grow indoors. It only needs a small pot and moderate to bright light.  Click here to check out some care tips for this plant.  String of Hearts  You’ve probably seen the String of Pearls succulent before, but did you know that there’s a String of Hearts succulent that offers a similar, gorgeous trailing leaf effect? Also known as ceropegia woodii , this beautiful plant...
Read more

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting a Landscaping Project

Image
Spring is in the air and if you’re like most Southern Californians, you’re probably daydreaming of warm summer nights in your backyard or lazy afternoons spent lounging around the pool! Why not make this the year your dreams become reality?  We have over twenty-four years of experience helping our clients create their ideal backyard oasis. We’ve managed all sorts of projects, from large to small, and along the way we’ve created a list of important questions every potential client should consider before starting a landscaping project. Taking the time to think through these questions with your spouse or family is incredibly helpful. It allows us to quickly and efficiently understand your vision, and then bring it to life. What is Your Budget?  Above all else, you need to get really clear on your budget. Do you want to spend $10,000 creating your new backyard? $100,000? We have all sorts of strategies we can employ to shape your vision to match your budget. Knowing what you can a...
Read more

How We Help You Visualize Your San Diego Landscape Design Project

Image
Happy New Year to all our friends and clients at IEE Designs! We’re excited to head into another year doing what we love – helping people transform and beautify their spaces.  With over 24 years of experience, we have our process dialed in to help you easily visualize how the changes will look in your yard once complete.  Here’s how we do it:  Our First Meeting  During our first meeting, we get to know you and what you’re hoping to achieve through our work together. Some of our clients want to install a pool, add more space for entertaining, or just do something practical with an odd-shaped lot. Whatever your goals, we are here to make them come to life.  We sit down to understand your vision, budget, and any special needs or accommodations you have. Our conversation is equal parts strategy and education. Sometimes what you had in mind won’t fit your budget or space, so we work with you to devise an alternative.  The Visuals  After our first meeting, w...
Read more