Fire Pits on Wood Decks: What You Should Know

Fire pits serve as fun modes of enjoying warm evenings ouija board with friends, roasting marshmallows, or just adding a little warmth to your backyard. But if you have a wood deck, the burning question is whether you can use fire pits on wood decks safely. Well, the answer is yes, but with stringent considerations. The use of fire pits on wood decks calls for well-done planning to take care of the deck and to safeguard your family.

This article will tell you how to use fire pits safely on wood decks, types of fire pits best suited for decks, safety measures you will need, and maintenance tips for your deck. We will also source for advice from such great names as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and HGTV.

Using Fire Pit on Wood Decks - Risky?

Wooden decks are appealing and, in addition, they are a fine choice for a deck, but they are readily combustible. Fire pits generate heat, sparks, and sometimes flames, which can lead to either damaging wood decks or setting them on fire without utmost care. According to the NFPA, many home fires are caused by the improper use of outdoor fire features; therefore, knowledge of the risks is the primary step in their minimization.

The important ones include:

• Intense heat generated by the fire is capable of scorching or softening wood underneath.

• Sparks and cinders could fly right out of the firepit and onto the deck, igniting the latter.

• Ash that may hurt the wood: If hot ashes drop through or over-spill, they can burn the wood.

For these reasons, placing the fire pit randomly on a wood deck is discouraged.

Fire Pit Medication for Wood Decks

Deck safety is not common to fire pits. Certain designs of fire pits are safer and easier to use on wood decks:

1. Gas Fire Pits

Gas fire pits (propane or natural gas) are great for decks since they produce less ash and fewer sparks. Clean-burning flames and controllable heat are very much to gas fire pits' credit, as per which they pose lesser threat to wood decks when sparks could fly.

Gas fire pits are definitely safer for wood decks than wood-burning fire pits, considering that there are fewer opportunities for sparks to fly out, according to HGTV.

2. Electric Fire Pits

Electric fire pits would be the safest form of fire pits for wood decks since they produce no actual flame or sparks. With LED lights and heating, the flames are simulated, but no open flame is present, thus significantly reducing the possibility of a fire occurring.

Certainly, electric fire pits do not afford the same setting as real flames, but for small decks or strongly regulated areas with fire codes, they make great sense.

3. Wood-Burning Fire Pits

The traditional wood-burning fire pits are the trickiest for decks. Sparks and hot ashes could easily hit the wood and damage it. But should you really wish to enjoy the authentic experience of firewood, extra caution and safety methods should be employed.

Using Fire Pits on Wooden Decks

Enjoying a fire pit is not easy on wood decking: there are safety concerns associated with such activity. Keeping in mind the following safety tips helps keep your deck and home safe.

1. Fire-Resistant Barrier

Always place the fire pit on a non-flammable surface at a safe distance from your deck. It could be a fire-resistant mat, stone pavers, bricks, or metal fire pit pad. These barriers keep the wood from heat damage caused by burning embers falling to the deck.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs notes that an exposed surface is necessary to let wood deck surfaces dry out and prevent fire-burn damages to wooden surfaces, so exposed surfaces should be of material designed to withstand very high heat exposure.

2. Keep your distances safe 

Place fire pits not within ten feet from home, railings, or branches that hang down. This distance should limit the spread potential of a fire to a house or deck structures.

3. Keep a Fire Extinguisher Near 

Keep a fire extinguisher, a bucket of water, or a hose nearby in case of emergencies. The National Fire Protection Association wants people to be aware of the importance of preparedness before their-going camping with open flames.

4. Never Leave Fires Unattended 

Never leave a fire unattended; for example, with a wood deck, the pit really ought to be fully extinguished before its leaving area.

5. Employ spark screen 

When your fire pit is wood-burning then you should use an open spark screen or a lid to prevent embers escaping. This little mesh cover can greatly reduce the flying sparks.

6. Regularly Clean the Fire Pit 

Remove ashes and debris regularly; the heat accumulated in such ashes can easily damage the underlying deck. Allow cooling of ashes before disposal.

Your Deck Care Around Fire Pits

Wood decks experience additional heat and wear from fire pits. Here are a few tips on how to care for the deck:

• Inspect the deck for scorch marks or cracks; do this frequently.

• Seal the wood deck with heat-resistant sealants to avoid heat damage.

• Clear leaves and debris from the deck that could potentially catch fire. 

• Never set the fire pit directly down on painted or treated wood without something such as plywood in between for protection.

With careful precautions, fire pits can safely be set up over wood decks. If you plan a fire pit on your wooden deck, consider what type of fire pit would work with heat-resistant barriers, distances and safety measures.

Conclusion

However, with a wood-burning fire pit, all precautions would be amplified. Include spark screens, fireproof mats, and they will still enjoy using the deck. Safety first, after all, would be everything to protect the home as well as its very own. A little planning could turn your wood deck into a cozy fireside retreat.