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Can a Fire Pit be Used Under a Covered Patio?

If not possible to safely install a fire pit under a covered patio, here are some alternatives to heat up your patio with a cozy atmosphere.

 

Covered patios are perfect for providing some much-needed shade in the hot summers, not to mention can be lovely fixtures attached to your house. But what about the autumn and winter months, or even cool summer months when the air gets a bit of a chill. The perfect solution to this is to add a fire pit to your patio. But are open flames safe to place under the coverings of a patio?

The first thing that needs to be considered is city and state codes. Each locality has different regulations about outdoor fire applications and the answer to this question will be different depending on where you live. 

Second, after you’ve selected some fire pits you like, double-check the manufacturer requirements. Different fire pits require different clearance heights, so ensure there is enough room in your patio for this design plus ensure it is possible for this design to be safely used in a covered patio. 

Finally, if it turns out it is not possible to have a fire pit on your patio fear not! You have other options to get the same heating and flame effect through means other than a fire pit. For example, a patio heater or an outdoor fireplace may be good alternatives for your patio and are discussed further down in the article. 

 

Structural Considerations

Is it possible to have a fire pit on your deck? This is a question only the city codes, and manufacturers of your patio and fire pit will be able to answer. But in the meantime, we’ve listed some important details to keep in mind when you are consulting these guidelines.

Ceiling Height

Heat can be quite damaging; it’s why we wear sunblock outside and use oven mitts to pull out cookie sheets. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise heat can also damage your patio covering. If the ceiling is not high enough a fire pit will cause damage over time, or in the worst case, cause a house fire. Check the height clearance requirements on each fire pit you consider purchasing for your patios. 

Ventilation

Fire produces harmful byproducts that need to be properly ventilated out of your living area. Indoor fireplaces do this through a chimney, so a covered patio must have ample airflow to safely have a fire pit under it. When selecting a fire pit refer to the manufacturer's guidelines to see how much open air the fire pit must receive in order to be properly ventilated. As a rule of thumb, if your covered patio, is covered on the ceilings as well as all sides, it may be a better idea to consider some of the alternatives to a fire pit for your covered patio. 

Clearance

All fire pits need a certain amount of clearance space around them to be safely operated. This goes for fire pits in the backyard, on a deck, or under a patio covering. When under a roof or covering, it is important to check the vertical clearance space required as well as the minimum distance surrounding the base of the fire pit. Also, make sure no low-hanging trees, plants, ceiling fans, or other combustible objects hang in the fire pit’s clearance space. 

Flooring

After checking the ceiling of your patio covering, look down and examine the flooring of your patio. If your patio flooring is made of concrete, brick, or stone, no need to worry! These materials are not combustible. If your patio is made of wood, composite, or vinyl you’ll need to be more selective about what fire pit you choose. 

Composite is a material made from wood, wood particles, plastic, and recycled materials. Vinyl, also called PVC, is a combo of plastics and chlorine. Both these materials are combustible. If you do have a patio made from combustible material, know that some gas fire pits are okay to use, but generally, wood-burning fire pits are not. Be sure to always check the manufactures manual. Read more about having a fire pit on wood flooring here.

 

Wood vs. Gas Fire Pits

Now it’s time to decide if a wood or gas fire pit is right for your space.

There is nothing quite like the authentic crackling and snapping of a wood-burning fire, the smokey smell, and dancing flames will warm up any ambiance. But wood-burning fire pits produce harmful CO toxins and need significant ventilation. The snapping and crackling also will cause sparks to fly out of the pit. Wood-burning fire pits require large open spaces. If you have wooden flooring on your patio it’s better to choose a gas fire pit, which doesn’t have the risk of a burning log rolling out onto the deck. 

Gone are the days of chopping wood or hunting around town to purchase firewood. Gas Fire Pits give you the ability to have a live fire, with added convince. Some gas fire pits can be attached to a wall switch or remote control. Gas fire pits also require some level of clearance and venting, but the amount will change based on the size of the fire pit, and often is a smaller area than what a wood-burning fire pit requires. Be sure to review the manufacturer's guidelines before purchase. Finally, before you jump into purchasing a gas fire pit, check your city codes, as some localities don’t allow, or have restrictions on gas fire pits.

As a general safety tip, always have a fire extinguisher out on a patio with a fire pit!

 

Safe Alternative’s for Fire Pits on Covered Patios

You’ve reviewed your options and for whatever reason, it’s not possible to have a fire pit in your covered patio. Don’t despair quite yet! Here are few alternatives to make your fireplace dreams come true.

Patio Heaters

If your main motivation to purchase a fire pit was for the warmth it provided, you may want to look into a patio heater instead. These patio heaters are specifically built to be used in enclosed spaces. There are myriad styles including portable free-standing heaters or more permanent wall-mounted heaters. Bear in mind patio heaters are fueled by gas and will need some ventilation in the room they are placed, it is just significantly less ventilation needed compared to a fire pit. 

Outdoor Masonry Fireplaces

If you wanted a fire pit for the jolly crackling sounds of a wood-burning fireplace an outdoor masonry fireplace will be the best alternative for you. Yes, it is completely possible to have an outdoor wood-burning fireplace. You will need a chimney installed into your covered patio for proper ventilation. Otherwise, it will just be like having a fire pit under your patio cover (just with a chimney attached.) Logs will burn into embers and you can have the opportunity to roast marshmallows every night! 

Outdoor Gas Fireplace

An outdoor gas fireplace is an ideal compromise between a patio heater and an outdoor masonry fireplace. It provides more heat than the masonry fireplace, but it offers the visual of flickering flames, you can’t get with a patio heater. Gas fireplaces also have the option of being ventless, so no need to worry about a chimney installation. These fireplaces can also be hooked up to your home’s gas line or a wall switch for ultimate ease of access. 

See-through Fireplace

See-through fireplaces have glass windows on their front and back so they can be enjoyed from all angles. An indoor/outdoor see-through fireplace can be installed in the outer wall of your home so one side of the fireplace can be enjoyed from the inside of your home, and the other side can be enjoyed outdoors on the patio!

 

We’re Here To Help!

If you have any doubts about getting to achieve your fire pit dreams, feel free to call us at 866-848-3473 or send us an email. Our NFI-certified experts are here to answer any questions or schedule an inspection for your existing fireplace or your covered patio to let you know if it is suitable for a fire pit. Browse our section or check out our other Learning Center articles to expand your fireplace knowledge.