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A fire pit is a cozy, inviting addition to any outdoor living area, but it's only as strong and secure as the foundation it sits on. Careful decorative stone selection will maintain your fire pit area level, draining properly, and solid to sustained use. Leaving out a proper base can equate to settling, movement, and even safety concerns in the future.
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Landscape Barn recommends the following rocks for fire pit pads:
Whether you’re building a simple pit or a full seating area, accurate measurements and smart planning are key.
Start with the diameter of your fire pit bowl or ring, add space for safety and seating. Most people prefer at least 3 feet of clearance around chairs and the fire pit. For example, a 4-foot diameter circular pit with 3 feet of seating clearance gives a 10-foot diameter pad.
For a majority of fire pit areas, create 4 to 6 inches of compacted base stone. In case the pad will support heavy furniture, stone benches, or walls, you may want to go up to 8 inches for added stability.
With your measurements and base depth, you can calculate how much stone your project will require.
To determine volume in cubic yards, multiply your Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (in ÷ 12) = cubic feet → divide by 27 to get cubic yards.
Most base stone is approximately 1.4 tons per cubic yard. Cube yards multiplied by 1.4 for an approximation.
A good draining level base is required for safety and comfort.
Clear the pad area of grass, roots, and topsoil. Provide a slight slope away from the center to allow for water runoff. If your yard does have drainage issues, add a compacted gravel sub-base below your top layer of stones.
Lay 2–3 inch layers of stone, compact each one before laying the next. Top with stone dust if laying pavers or flagstone and compact again for an even, level surface.
Even accurate estimates can fall short due to settling, compaction, or uneven ground conditions.
Order around 10% more stone to leave room for settling, shaping, and future maintenance. Having a little extra handy allows you to fill low spots without having to arrange another delivery.
Avoiding shortcuts will help your fire pit area look better and last longer.
Not providing adequate space for chairs to fit can render your fire pit uncomfortable to sit around. And although decorative stone is very pretty, it has to rest upon a solid, compacted foundation to keep from sinking and shifting.
A fire pit is the centerpiece of your outdoor home—but it needs the right foundation to be safe and inviting. If you choose the right crushed stone, measure correctly, and clear the area properly, you'll have a fire pit area that you'll be using for years to come. Contact Landscape Barn to find the perfect stone for your project and schedule fast, reliable delivery.
Take the guesswork out of your next project! Use our Project Calculator to quickly estimate the materials you need for your landscaping plans. Get started here with our Project Calculator.
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