"Even with safety measures like lids or bricks, radiant heat can still ignite dry leaves or wooden decking nearby."
Good point about radiant heat—people often underestimate that. I'd also suggest checking local building codes or HOA guidelines, since some places have pretty strict rules about fire pit placement and materials. A neighbor of mine had to relocate his entire setup after a complaint... wasn't fun. Might save some headaches down the road if you double-check first.
Good reminder about checking HOA guidelines—I hadn't even thought of that part yet. Still, I'm wondering how much radiant heat really travels... like, is there a safe distance from decking or plants that's generally recommended? My deck isn't huge, so maybe I need a different spot entirely. Definitely don't want to end up as "that neighbor" who accidentally sets their yard on fire...
Good call on checking HOA stuff first—easy to overlook. From what I've read, most recommend at least 10-15 feet clearance from decks or plants. But honestly, better safe than sorry... maybe shifting it a bit further out is worth the peace of mind.
Hmm, 10-15 feet seems like a decent rule of thumb, but does anyone know if that changes depending on the type of plants nearby? Like, are bushes safer than trees, or am I just overthinking this whole thing...?
"Like, are bushes safer than trees, or am I just overthinking this whole thing...?"
You're not totally overthinking it—plant type does matter a bit—but honestly, I'd worry more about dryness and density than whether it's a bush or tree. I've seen some shrubs go up faster than you'd think because they're dry and tightly packed. Just keep the area clear of dead leaves and branches, and you'll probably be fine at that 10-15 foot mark.
