Nothing pulls people together in a backyard like fire. An outdoor fire pit in Spokane turns cool spring and fall evenings into prime time outside and gives the whole yard a natural gathering point — often becoming the most-used feature of the entire landscape. The key is choosing the right type and building it to last through our seasons.
At North Point Land Construction, we design and build fire features as an integrated part of the outdoor living space, engineered for the Inland Northwest climate. Here’s how to plan one that fits how you’ll use it.
Why a Fire Feature Earns Its Place
A fire pit does more than provide warmth. It extends your usable season by months, making the yard comfortable on the cool evenings that bracket our short summers. It creates a destination — a place where conversation naturally gathers — and it gives an outdoor living space a focal point that organizes the seating and the layout around it. For many homeowners, it’s the single feature that gets the family outside most often.
Gas vs. Wood-Burning
Gas fire features. A built-in gas fire pit lights instantly, burns clean with no smoke or ash, and shuts off the moment you’re done. It’s the convenient choice and works well where ease and tidiness matter, with no wood to store or sparks to manage.
Wood-burning fire pits. For purists, nothing replaces the crackle, smell, and bigger flame of a real wood fire. Wood pits cost less to build but require fuel storage, cleanup, and attention to local burn rules and conditions.
Many clients ultimately choose gas for everyday convenience; the right answer depends on how you picture using it.
Built-In vs. Portable
A portable fire bowl is an easy starting point, but a built-in fire feature is what transforms a space. Integrated into the patio with matching stone, surrounded by built-in seat walls, and sized to the area, a permanent fire pit reads as part of the architecture and dramatically lifts the look and value of the yard. It’s the difference between an accessory and a designed gathering room.
Design and Material Choices
Shape and size. Round pits encourage conversation; linear fire tables suit modern spaces and double as surfaces. Size should match the seating around it.
Materials. Natural stone, manufactured stone veneer, and concrete each create a different look. Matching the fire feature to the home and the surrounding paver patio keeps the space cohesive.
Seat walls. Built-in seating around a fire pit adds capacity and a finished, intentional look while keeping the area open and flexible.
Building It Safely and to Last
A fire feature has to be built correctly — proper clearances, the right fire-rated materials, a sound base that won’t shift through freeze-thaw, and code-compliant gas lines for gas units. Following recognized fire-safety guidelines for placement and clearances keeps the feature safe as well as beautiful. This is where professional design and build matter most.
Designing It Into the Whole Space
A fire pit works best as one element of a connected outdoor living space, flowing into dining, lounge seating, and an outdoor kitchen, tied together with layered lighting. Designed alongside the patio and planting from the start, it anchors the yard rather than sitting apart from it. See our outdoor living spaces guide for how the zones connect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a gas or wood-burning fire pit better?
Gas lights instantly, burns clean, and shuts off easily, making it the convenient everyday choice. Wood delivers a bigger flame and traditional ambiance but needs fuel storage and cleanup. The right choice depends on how you’ll use it.
Does an outdoor fire pit add value to a backyard?
Yes — a built-in fire feature is one of the highest-impact outdoor additions, extending the usable season and giving the space a focal point that lifts its look and appeal.
How much does an outdoor fire pit cost in Spokane?
It varies with type, materials, size, and whether it’s gas or wood. A built-in gas feature with seat walls is a more significant investment than a simple wood pit, but it delivers far more in look and longevity.
Can a fire pit be used safely on a patio?
Yes, when built with proper clearances, fire-rated materials, a stable base, and code-compliant gas lines, and placed according to fire-safety guidelines.
Add Fire to Your Backyard
To design a fire feature that extends your season and anchors your yard, contact North Point Land Construction for a consultation in Spokane and the Inland Northwest.
