Tools and Materials
Tools
Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market.
Planning for an In-Ground Fire Pit Ring
We built our fire pit with a patio surround, so you’ll need to apply the same steps for building a paver patio. To see detailed steps as well as tips on designing stone layout patterns, check out How to Design and Build a Paver Patio. You can build other types of fire pits from kits and traditional retaining wall blocks. See How to Build a Custom Fire Pit and How to Build a Fire Pit Ring to learn how to build these styles.
For our pit, we used cast patio pavers that look like stone. The pavers are the same shape and size and fit together several ways to create a natural look. The patio will sit even with the ground, and the depth of the pit will depend on the thickness of your patio stones and concrete block lining.
The installation for this in-ground fire pit has several layers:
- A 2-inch layer of paver base at the perimeter of the fire pit ring
- Concrete blocks on top of the paver base to form the ring
- 4 to 6 inches of paver base behind the blocks
- A 1-inch layer of leveling sand
- Patio stones, mortar along the inside edge of the patio stones and polymeric sand in the joints
Before beginning any excavation, call 811 to check for underground utilities. Also, before you buy materials or begin work, check local building codes, ordinances and homeowner association guidelines to make sure that fire pits are allowed.
Choose a Location
- For safety, choose a spot located away from your house and low-hanging limbs, or anything else that could catch fire. Also, make sure it’s a spot that won’t collect water.
- Make sure you’ll have enough room for outdoor furniture around the fire pit. It's best to keep the back legs of furniture about 6 to 7 feet away from the pit. See Planning for a Paver Patio or Walkway for more tips.
- For convenience, you may want to locate your fire pit near your wood pile.
Install the Paver Base
Paver base and sand will help you create a good foundation for the pavers that will surround your fire pit.
Instructions
Install the Pavers
With the paver base and sand in place and level, you can begin placing the pavers.
Instructions
Add the Polymeric Sand
Once you have the pavers down, add polymeric sand to hold them in place.
Instructions
Fire Pit Ideas
When choosing the right fire pit design and layout that suits your needs, think about how you’ll most often use your fire pit area. There are several types of fire pits that may work for you, including a do-it-yourself (DIY) fire pit that you can build with a few basic skills and a bit of creativity, or a fire pit ring that’s the perfect project for a DIYer of any experience level. With most kits, you don’t need to cut or size the block.
For more on building other fire pits, read How to Build a Custom Fire Pit and How to Build a Fire Pit Ring.
If you want to streamline the building process, a timesaving fire pit project kit is a way to achieve great results with minimal work.
For inspiration on how to style your backyard fire pit, read Fire Pit Inspiration to Transform Your Backyard.
Enhance your fire pit area by creating the perfect mood. The right accessories make it more comfortable and inviting. Make a conversation area with patio chairs and add outdoor end tables for drinks and snacks. Garden décor, such as statues and sculptures, will make the area more attractive, and string lights or wind chimes can help create the perfect ambience.