Looking for a weekend reno project that’s perfect for the cooler months?
Look no further than this DIY fire pit! There’s nothing quite like sitting around a smouldering fire, toasting marshmallows or enjoying a glass of something a little bit stronger. There are plenty of ready made fire pit options on the market but an inbuilt DIY fire pit adds a little extra something.
It could be said that the fire pit is the new water feature. A functional landscaping feature that transforms your outdoor area into a cosy and inviting space – perfect for those winter evenings. “The ambience a fire pit brings is worth the investment alone, providing an enjoyable feature for the backyard and a natural gathering spot for socialising and entertaining,” explains landscape expert and Adbri Masonry brand ambassador, Jason Hodges.
Here’s how to create your very own DIY fire pit in a weekend.
Build your own DIY fire pit
Materials required:
- AB® Courtyard York Blocks x 56
- AB® Courtyard Caps x 28
- Tube of Masonry Adhesive x 2
- Metal Fire Ring (opt) x 1
- 20kg Bags of Crushed Rock x 10
- 20kg Bags of Decorative Rock (optional) x 6
How to:
1. Excavation – After you determine the location of your fire pit, you will need to excavate the area. Lay the first course of Adbri AB® Courtyard York blocks so you can mark the location of where the blocks will be. Remove the blocks and dig a level trench 75mm deep and 178mm wide or excavate the full circle.
2. Creating The Foundation – Fill the trench with a weak mix of sand and cement, about 6:1 (6 parts sand and 1 part cement). Take your time to ensure the foundation is level. Place 4 x AB® Courtyard blocks at the cross points of the circle and use a straight 2×4 and a level to check the entire trench is level. Make adjustments by adding or removing the sand and cement screed.
3. Laying The First Course – Place the base course of blocks on the foundation pad, check the levelling each time a few blocks are laid to ensure that they are all level from front to back and side to side before placing the next block. This will ensure a level base course.
4. Second Course – Stack the next course of blocks, making adjustments as necessary. Once installed, remove sod/vegetation from the centre of the fire pit area. Lay approx. 6 x 23 kg bags of clean rock within the circle to cover the bottom of the fire pit. Then using a shovel, rake smooth.
5. Finish With Wall Caps – Place AB® Courtyard Caps on top of the fire pit, securing them with a tube of masonry adhesive.
6. Finishing Touches – Install decorative rock to line the interior of the pit. Place a steel bowl or metal fire ring in the centre to contain the flames and get the marshmallows ready.
