Nothing in this world is better than sitting on a patio at dusk in summers with a fire pit. Let me set the mood for you. Imagine sitting in a circle with your loved ones around the pit, the crackling of the burning firewood under the moonlight, flames dancing joyously and the smoldering wood planks fill the air with the smell of charred oak and then.. BOOM! The crackling gets louder, the flames get bigger, shrapnel fall all around you and your heart comes up to your throat and you are nearly passing out with the fear of your fire pit quite literally exploding.
So are pavers safe for the fire pit?Well, the answer is it depends!
Well it depends on what your paversare made out of and pavers made out of concrete have small air bubbles trappedin them and according to our science teachers in high school, heated gasexpands, so what happens when the heat from fire pit reaches all the way to theair bubbles? BAM! The pavers explode posing a danger to you and your lovedones.
Now, that does not mean you throwyour entire fire pit away or your patio!
There is a solution to thisdisastrous problem
Fire pit pads
These are protective heat shields that you place betweenyour pavers and the fire pit. Since they are created with carbon fibers, theycan withstand volcanic lava. These mats cost under $150 and depending on thesize of your pit and patio you can get them customized.
Kiln brick pavers
Now if your pavers are made from kiln fired bricks then itis a different story altogether. Kiln bricks can endure temperatures a lothigher than concrete and therefore relatively safer.
Fire bricks
Fire bricks are specifically made for fire pits so they canendure scalding hot temperatures and laying them on top of each other beneaththe fire pit and over the pavers is the best protection for your patio. Bycreating an elevated platform you will be able to protect the ground underneathbut be careful not to topple over the pit. Either use a cement to build a permanentbrick pad or arrange them carefully together to form something like a slab foryour fire pit.
That being said the preferred option for building the safestfire pit is with fire bricks and fire clay mortar as these materials are madeto be used in furnaces and brick ovens therefore, can withstand extremely hightemperatures without detonating like a ticking bomb.
It always advised to exercise caution and keep a fire extinguisher handy in case things get out of hand, no matter what type of fire pit you want to build. It is better be safe than sorry. If you are planning on getting a personalized fire pit, we at Rock Solid Pavers have designed and installed hundreds of them, leaving our customers fully satisfied. For more information or free consultation contact us today on our website.
Concrete pavers, in general, have good fire resistance properties. They are made from a mixture of cement, aggregates, and additives, resulting in a solid and durable material. Concrete itself is non-combustible, which means it does not support the spread of fire.
Kiln-fired patio pavers, also called refractory bricks or fire bricks, are manufactured to withstand extremely high temperatures, like those generated in your fire pit.
Sadly, pavers that resist 100% of heat don't exist. Every paver will absorb some amount of sunlight and warmth. Some pavers will retain more heat than others, though.
Limestone, sandstone, gravel, and river rocks hold a lot of water. Because of the water retained by them, they shouldn't be used in a fire pit in order to avoid an explosion.
To build a patio paver fire pit at home, you will need the following materials: 1. Fire pit liner: Choose a fire pit liner that is heat resistant and made of materials like masonry, clay, or metal so it will be able to withstand the extreme temperatures of your fire.
Are pavers safe for a fire pit? Brick or stone pavers provide a safe surface for using a fire pit. Concrete pavers need to be heat-resistant, as concrete surfaces of any type contain tiny air bubbles and small amounts of water that can expand when heated. This expansion can then cause the pavers to crack.
What Do You Put in the Bottom of a Fire Pit? To create a safe, sturdy foundation for a fire pit, we use a gravel paver base. Other common materials used for the bottom of a fire pit are sand, lava stones, dirt, fire glass and concrete slabs.
In terms of space, you will want to plan for seating that will allow for both group settings or cozy, intimate one-on-one time. A fire pit itself is rarely larger than four or five feet across. The patio space around it should be an additional four to six feet on all sides.
Instead, your best option would be to use fire bricks (or refractory bricks). These bricks are denser and go through a kiln process to make them able to withstand high temperatures. They're larger, thicker, and wider than regular bricks, and you can find it at most brickyards.
Masonry buildings and products, whether built with concrete bricks or blocks, are known for their excellent fire-resistant properties. When exposed to high temperatures, masonry products do not easily catch fire or burn. They are non-combustible, meaning they won't ignite or spread flames easily.
Sure, it will get warm to the point of slight discomfort on very sunny days, but they are one of the coolest materials you can use. The color you chose can influence how hot your pavers can get. The darkest natural stones, for example, can get extremely hot, and caution is required when walking around them on hot days.
Fire bricks are specifically made for fire pits so they can endure scalding hot temperatures and laying them on top of each other beneath the fire pit and over the pavers is the best protection for your patio.
Travertine pavers have a natural ability to resist heat and stay cool underfoot, even in hot weather. This makes them an excellent choice for tropical climates, where temperatures can soar.
Limestone is strong enough to withstand years of exposure to fire and absorbs heat moderately, making a comfortable fire pit to sit around for extended periods of time.
The best way to build a fire pit on concrete is by starting with landscaping bricks or other similar pavers that have been pre-cast. Each brick should be about 2″” larger than the diameter of the burner you are going to install in the fire pit so that it has room to expand and contract without cracking.
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