Design a Stunning Floating Backyard Deck with Integrated Fire Pit
Adding a floating deck with a cozy fire pit creates an inviting outdoor living space to relax and entertain. With proper planning and design, you can build a gorgeous, functional floating deck and integrate a gorgeous centerpiece fire pit.
Constructing your own floating deck and fire pit provides creative freedom and allows you to customize your backyard oasis. However, this extensive DIY project requires time, effort, skills, and a permit. Ensure you research building codes and safely construct without risk.
Benefits of Adding a Floating Deck with Fire Pit
A floating deck with integrated fire pit offers many blessings for your home and lifestyle:
- Provides additional outdoor living space to dine, lounge, and entertain
- Elevates your backyard with gorgeous architecture and charm
- A fire pit adds ambiance, warmth, and a gathering place
- Perfect spot to relax and escape the worries of everyday life
- Increases property value by improving your backyard space
- Customizable to match your taste, style, and landscaping
With beautiful scenery and hours of enjoyment, a floating deck with fire pit is a worthwhile investment in your home.
Planning Your Floating Deck with Fire Pit
Careful planning ensures your DIY floating deck and fire pit project goes smoothly. Keep these key considerations in mind during the planning stage:
Choosing the Right Location
Select a backyard location with ample space and a pleasing view. Consider sunlight patterns to maximize shade and sun throughout the day. The deck should be easily accessible from your home's exterior door.
For the fire pit, choose a safe clearance from buildings, trees, bushes, and flammable items according to your city's fire code. Avoid positioning it under low hanging trees or overhanging branches. Select a location where smoke and embers won't blow toward your home's windows and doors.
Getting Permits and Approvals
Most areas require permits for exterior construction over a certain square footage. Building codes also apply to the deck's height, railings, stairs, and more. A permit ensures your floating deck is structurally sound and safe.
Some neighborhoods or homeowners associations require approval for backyards fire pits. Review your local laws and neighborhood rules before purchasing materials.
Selecting Materials
Pressure-treated lumber is a popular floating deck material for its strength, affordability, and resistance to weather, rot, and pests. Other options like composite, cedar, or redwood also suit floating decks.
For the fire pit, durable and noncombustible materials like steel, concrete, stone, or brick tend to work best. Choose long-lasting, quality materials that suit your backyard's aesthetic.
Design Considerations
Size and Layout
Consider how you plan to use the space. Entertaining larger groups may demand more square footage while intimate gatherings need less. The shape can match your landscaping or a geometric design. For convenience, build near pathways to your yard and home.
Fire pits range 2-7 feet across. Size it comfortably to the deck's proportions and activities like roasting marshmallows. Allow ample, safe clearance around the pit's perimeter.
Safety Features
For fire safety, surround the pit with noncombustible materials. Install a spark screen to catch flying embers. Choose a flat site, avoiding ground cover that could catch fire or slope that allows rolling logs. Position it away from low tree limbs, buildings, and dry vegetation.
For the deck, meet code railing height and stair requirements. Use non-slip decking and stairs. Position lights to safely illuminate walking areas in darkness.
Aesthetic Details
The fire pit can become a focal point, so choose attractive materials to match your style. Add custom details like a stone or tile mosaic design. For the deck, mix and match deck boards and railings to create visual interest.
Lighting sets the mood-- strings lights along the deck's perimeter or place lanterns on deck posts. Use solar lighting near stairs and walkways.
Planters, flower boxes, and potted foliage liven up the space with color and texture.
Building Your Floating Deck
Now comes the fun part--bringing your design plans to life! Follow these steps to build a solid floating deck that supports a fire pit:
Installing the Foundation
Floating decks must distributing weight properly without a ground foundation. Compact and level the installation area or install a gravel base adding stability.
Concrete piers inserted directly into the ground can support the deck's weight. Space concrete footers evenly across the perimeter according to the build plan.
Framing the Deck
Connect beams securely to the concrete piers following local building codes for proper support. Allow beams to overhang piers by at least 6 inches.
Construct the floor frame using joists across the length and headers on either end. Floor framing must withstand heavy loads like a fire pit. Use thick, durable joists and close spacing.
Band the outside perimeter with rim and ledger joists. Fasten interior joists to the rim joists using galvanized hardware.
Adding Decking Boards
Choose weather-enduring deck boards designed for outdoor use. Attractive options include cedar, redwood, pressure-treated woods, or composite.
Allow 1/8" spacing between boards to allow water drainage. Fasten boards securely across the top of joists using exterior-grade screws.
Incorporating the Fire Pit
Choosing the Fire Pit
Prefabricated fire pits offer convenience, speed, and crisp lines. Look for durable steel or steel-reinforced concrete pits. Custom design a pit enclosure out of concrete, pavers, bricks, or stone using DIY masonry skills.
Gas vs Wood Burning
Wood burning fire pits have a classic, nostalgic ambiance but require stocking firewood and cleaning ashes. Gas fire pits light instantly with the push of a button and burn cleaner without smoke or ash.
Choose whichever fits your lifestyle and preferences. If wood burning, position the fire pit at least 10 feet from the deck perimeter for safety.
Finishing Touches
After assembling the main structures, it's time for those thoughtful details that complete your backyard oasis. Include lighting, planters with flowers or foliage, a storage box for deck items, and a weatherproof cover for the fire pit.
Decorating and Furnishing Your Floating Deck
Style your new floating deck and fire pit area into a comfortably, stylish outdoor living space for lounging, dining, and nights around the fire.
Patio Furniture
Choose patio furniture suited to the deck's size and activities like conversation areas, chaise lounges, or dining sets. Select lightweight but sturdy materials that weather well outdoors.
Arrange seating to facilitate conversation and enjoy prime views. Angle lounges or chairs toward the dazzling fire.
Lighting
Strategically place lighting for ambiance, safety, and practicality. Line the deck perimeter with twinkling string lights. Illuminate stairs and pathways to safely navigate at night.
Lanterns and candles emit a warm, welcoming glow. Scatter flameless LED candles in glass jars along the railings and around the fire pit.
Flowers, ferns, herbs, and succulents in planter boxes, pots, or raised beds bring life to the space. Opt for low-maintenance native plants suited for your climate.