A fire feature turns a deck from a summer space into a year-round gathering spot. Here is how we design and build fire pit areas that work safely and look beautiful.
Why Fire Features Are So Popular
A fire pit is the kind of feature that pulls people in. There is something about an open flame on a cool evening that gets everyone gathered around. Customers tell us their fire pit area becomes the favorite spot in the entire backyard.
It also extends the seasons you actually use the space. Spring and fall evenings that would otherwise be too cool become some of the best times of the year.
Fire on a Wood Deck Is a No
Open wood fires do not belong on a wood or composite deck. Embers, heat, and code restrictions make it unsafe and usually not allowed. If you want a wood-burning fire pit, we typically design it next to the deck, on a stone pad in the yard, with a clear walkway from the deck.
Honoring this rule keeps your home safe and your insurance valid.
Gas Fire Tables on Decks
Gas fire tables and built-in gas fire pits are a different story. Many are rated and approved for use on composite or wood decks with proper clearance. They produce no embers, no smoke, and they turn off with a switch.
If you want fire on the deck itself, this is the safe and approved way to do it.
Designing the Surrounding Seating
A fire feature is only as good as the seating around it. We design built-in benches, low walls with cushions, or dedicated furniture zones around fire pits so the area becomes a true room rather than a piece of equipment with chairs scattered around.
A circular bench around a fire pit is one of the most welcoming designs there is.
Materials That Match the Fire
Stone veneer, concrete, and stacked stone are common materials for fire features. They handle heat and add visual weight that grounds the design. We match these materials to the home and the deck so the fire pit looks intentional, not bolted on.
The right material choice can make a fire feature look like it has always been there.
Wind, Smoke, and Comfort
Open wood fires can get smoky depending on wind direction. We help customers think about prevailing wind, doorway placement, and seating layout so smoke moves away from the gathering area, not into it.
Gas fire features eliminate this concern entirely, which is one reason they have grown so popular.
Lighting Around Fire Features
Even with a fire going, you still want soft accent lighting around the seating area for safety and atmosphere. Low path lights leading to the fire pit area and uplighting on nearby trees or features add depth and warmth.
Layered lighting keeps the area inviting even after the fire dies down.
Build a Fire Feature Into Your Project
Whether you want a gas fire table on the deck or a stone fire pit on the patio just below it, we can design the feature into your project. Done right, it becomes the heart of the entire outdoor space.
Pro Tips From Our Crews
• Open wood fires belong in the yard, not on the deck.
• Gas fire tables are deck-safe with proper clearance and the right product.
• A circular bench around a fire pit is one of the most welcoming designs there is.
• Plan for prevailing wind so smoke moves away from the gathering area.
• Add accent lighting around the seating area for use after the fire dies down.
There is something about an open flame that pulls people together. Customers who add fire features tell us their backyard becomes the place everyone wants to gather. Spring and fall evenings that used to be too cool become the best times of the year to be outside, and the deck stops being a summer-only space.
Common Questions From North Georgia Homeowners
What is the cost difference between gas and wood-burning fire pits?
Wood-burning fire pits are usually less expensive to build but require ongoing wood, ash cleanup, and smoke management. Gas fire features cost more up front but require almost no maintenance and can be installed on the deck itself with proper clearances.
Can I roast marshmallows over a gas fire pit?
Yes, gas fire features work fine for marshmallows and s'mores. The flame may be a little different from wood, but the experience is essentially the same. For pure ambiance, gas wins. For the full campfire experience, wood is hard to beat.
Serving North Georgia
We design and build custom decks, screened porches, covered decks, pergolas, and outdoor living spaces across North Georgia. That includes Pickens, Cherokee, Gilmer, Fannin, Dawson, Forsyth, Bartow, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Hall, Lumpkin, Murray, Paulding, Union, and Gordon counties. If you are anywhere in our service area, we would love the chance to come walk your property and talk through what we can build for you.