Step Up Your Outdoor Game with a Deck Floating Over a Crackling Fire Pit
Do you love entertaining guests in your backyard during the warmer months? Imagine their delight and intrigue when they arrive to find your new floating deck suspended above the lawn, flickering fire pit beckoning them over. By combining the magic of fire with an elevated, freestanding deck, you can create a novel outdoor living space perfect for gatherings large and small.
Constructing a floating deck over a fire pit takes careful planning but yields eye-catching results. By the end, your backyard will become the ultimate destination for making memories. Let's explore how to step up your outdoor leisure game with this uniquely captivating project.
Materials Needed for a Floating Deck with Fire Pit
A floating deck capable of supporting a fire pit requires sturdy, weather-resistant materials along with specialized supports and footings. Consider the following material options as you design the project.
Composite Decking Boards
Composite decking offers durability and low maintenance at a reasonable price point. The two most popular brands, Trex and TimberTech , utilize a mixture of wood fibers and recycled plastic that resists moisture, fading, staining, scratching, and insect damage over time. The lighter weight of composites compared to natural wood also makes construction easier.
For a more natural look with some eco-friendly appeal, cedar or redwood decking brings beauty and inherent rot-resistance. The drawback lies in the higher cost and necessary periodic sealing and staining.
Pressure-treated pine offers budget-friendliness paired with decent durability when properly sealed, though frequent upkeep is required. Use higher grade lumber for better longevity.
Securing Posts and Supports in the Ground
In lieu of concrete footings, floating decks utilize helical piles , metal rods screwed deep into the earth for stability. Position the piles based on decking size and weight load requirements. Connect the piles to vertical posts and horizontal beams that comprise the underlying frame.
For a seamless floating aesthetic, conceal posts and supports using decorative covers or integrated system components. Or allow portions to creatively blend into the design.
Fire Pit Kit Materials
Prefabricated metal fire pit bowls offer versatility and easy portability if you ever want to relocate the pit. Choose durable and weather-resistant metals like copper, cast iron, or steel in round or square shapes. Opt for larger diameters to allow ample wood capacity.
Decorative fire glass, lava rock , or glass beads in the base encircle flames with eye-catching color. A custom gas burner kit adds convenience and adjustability over wood fires.
No fire pit is complete without a spark arrestor screen . The mesh covering safely contains embers and allows proper oxygen circulation for clean-burning fires.
Designing and Building a Floating Deck
Careful planning ensures your elevated deck provides sufficient size and support for both leisurely lounging and fiery ambiance. Consider the following structural factors as you design the space.
Layout Considerations
First, delegate adequate square footage based on intended usage, number of typical guests, and backyard constraints. Rectangular designs work well for positioning groups of chairs around a central fire pit. Next, account for the fire pit clearance rules in your local building code related to structures, property lines, and combustible items like trees and shrubbery.
Framing and Supports
Property assess your floating deck's weight load, including chairs, people, and the fire pit itself to determine required beam and joist dimensions. Use multiple vertical support posts anchored in helical piles spaced at code-approved distances. Strategically place cross-braces for enhanced stability.
Consult local permit regulations to adhere to relevant building codes related to deck railings, staircases, accessibility features, and allowable height and size restrictions.
Installing Deck Boards
With the underlying frame complete, start decking installation at the farthest corner from house entry access. Allow proper board spacing for drainage and ventilation. Work methodically outward in each direction, using screws placed perpendicular to the joists. Once the surface boards are fastened, the floating deck awaits only the brilliant fire pit focal point.
Incorporating the Fire Pit
With ample deck space ready and waiting, inclusion of the fire pit itself involves a few strategic considerations for maximum enjoyment and safety.
Fire Pit Clearance Rules
Adhere to the legally mandated distance between the fire pit edges and any surrounding deck railings, plants or trees, furnishings, and other structures based on fire pit dimensions. These buffer zones safeguard against stray sparks potentially igniting combustible items.
Using a Protective Surface Underneath
Even with ample clearance, embers may accidentally escape the fire pit confines. Installing a non-flammable surface protector pad beneath the fire pit defends the deck boards from threatening heat damage. Fireproof patio pavers work nicely for this preventative layer.
Gas vs Wood Burning Considerations
Self-contained gas fire pits offer convenience, though the ambiance lacks the nostalgic crackling of real wood units. For wood burning fire pits, use only seasoned hardwoods for the cleanest burn. Strategically place a stash of logs nearby for easy replenishing. Include fire extinguishing tools like a bucket of water or fire extinguisher as a safety essential.
Safety Precautions for Open Flames on a Deck
While mesmerizing to watch dance into the night sky, uncontrolled fire poses risks without diligent safeguards. Protect your elevated, wood-constructed investment using smart preventative methods.
Fireproofing Materials
Specially formulated sealants applied to deck lumber chemically alter composition to inhibit igniting when exposed to sparks or embers. Durable fire barrier pads beneath the fire pit add another impediment against heat transferral and flame spread.
Establishing and Maintaining Safe Conditions
Begin by scouring for and removing any flammable decorative items, debris or dry leaves around the deck perimeter. Supervise all fires from lighting to extinguishing. Keep emergency equipment like extinguishers, water buckets, sand buckets, or connected garden hoses within quick reach for reacting to emergencies.
Inspect spacing clearances before each use while visually monitoring the fire for signs of excess sparking. Follow all seasonal fire safety protocols for outdoor burning in your region.
Getting the Most Enjoyment from a Floating Deck and Fire Pit
Once complete, put your showstopping oasis of elegantly elevated lumber and flickering firelight to good use. Follow these tips for maximizing enjoyment of the versatile space.
Entertaining Guests and Gatherings
With its spacious footprint and eye-catching pit focal point, the outdoor lounge beckons both intimate conversations and lively celebrations. Comfortably configure seating around the fire and leave pathways clear for mingling and dancing. Roll out a red carpet leading from lawn to deck for added flair.
Use scattered lanterns, string lights and luminaries to set the mood. Prepare tapas, appetizers, s'mores, and other easyshare finger foods to please every guest. Keep warm beverages and citronella candles handy for cooler evenings.
Ambiance and Decor Touches
Enhance the relaxed yet festive aura through thoughtfully placed accents. Incorporate greenery with potted flowering plants, wreaths along railings, and garden table arrangements. Include weatherproof pillows, throws, and patio rugs for upscale coziness. Strategically positioned lighting casts a warm glow across the entire deck.
For fire pit beautification try rounded river rocks, sea glass, or crushed marble to elegantly encircle the flames. Use varying log lengths and densities for diverse combustion effects. Display special fireplace tools for functionality with flair.
Year-Round Relaxation and Leisure
Your backyard escape offers four season enjoyment with a few seasonal tweaks. In autumn, accent with pumpkins, gourds, and mums amid changing foliage backdrops. For winter, include all weather wicker furniture, wind blocking privacy screens, outdoor heat lamps and fire crystals to amplify the fire. Spring invites budding greenery, twinkling string lights and the tranquil sounds of a tabletop fountain. Summer warrants shade umbrellas, citronella candles and cool beverage holders.
Forget cabin fever. Brave chilly nights wrapped in cozy wool blankets as flickering flames in the fire pit deliver warmth and unmatched hygge. Come snow, watch delicate flakes drift down, kissing your cheeks with icy exhilaration from the comfort of cushioned Adirondack chairs. Let your oasis transport you through blue skies and stormy ones with relaxed refuge, good company and soft fire glow.
FAQ about Floating Decks with Fire Pits
If you still have uncertainties about the floating deck and fire pit combination, see answers to some frequently asked questions below.
How much weight can a floating deck safely hold?
Properly constructed floating decks on helical pylons routinely handle 40-60 lbs per square foot. That accommodates gatherings of 10-12 average weight people without issue. Distribute heavier items like the fire pit evenly across the framework.
What about bugs on an elevated deck?
Unlike ground level patios, suspended decks see fewer insects from below. For additional protection, incorporate overhead bug zapper lights. Citronella candles also deter mosquitos and other pests for carefree lounging.
With safety rules followed and preventions taken as outlined above, adding a fire pit carries no greater inherent risk than a wood burning patio model at ground level. Take the same common sense precautions for safety and enjoyment regardless of deck height.
Now that you have a solid plan and helpful information in place, you can confidently construct an innovative floating deck capped with ambient fire pit focal point. Your new favorite backyard relaxation destination awaits. So gather supplies, stake supports and let's start building your outdoor entertaining showpiece today!