Why a fire pit changes how you use your garden
Most Scottish gardens get used for about five months of the year if you’re lucky.
A fire pit pushes that to eight or nine.
They give you warmth, light, and atmosphere on cooler evenings. They provide a reason to stay outside after dinner, and a genuine focal point that pulls people together in a way that a patio table on its own never quite manages.
A well-designed fire pit area also adds real value to your home.
It’s one of those upgrades that has the potential to pay for itself when it comes time to sell. But more importantly, you’ll actually enjoy it while you live there.
Types of fire pits our expert team installs
Built-in fire pits
A permanent fire pit built into your patio or garden floor.
These can be circular, square, or rectangular, constructed from natural stone, brick, or concrete block and lined with fire-rated materials.
Built-in fire pits sit flush with or slightly above ground level, and we can design them with integrated seating walls around the perimeter.
This helps the whole area feel like a single piece of landscaping rather than separate components.
In-ground fire pits
For households without pets or younger members, in-ground fire pits can be a modern feature.
They sit below ground level, typically surrounded by gravel, paving, or a raised seating edge.
In-ground designs look clean when they’re not in use, and they offer natural wind protection because the flames sit below the surface.
Drainage is the main consideration here.
In Glasgow’s climate, an in-ground pit needs proper drainage beneath it, or it fills with rainwater every time the weather turns.
GGM Landscaping can install gravel beds and drainage channels underneath to keep things dry and functional.
Gas fire pits and fire tables
Gas fire pits run on natural gas (plumbed from your mains supply) or LPG (from a concealed bottle).
They light instantly, produce no smoke, and you can easily control the flame height with a turn of a valve.
Gas fire pit installation needs a Gas Safe registered engineer for the gas connection, which we arrange as part of the project.
Wood-burning fire pits
The traditional option has a lasting appeal for a reason.
Wood-burning fire pits give you the crackle, the smell, and the full campfire experience that gas can’t replicate.
They’re simpler to install because there’s no gas line involved.
However, they do produce smoke, so it’s important to consider your neighbours and local regulations.
In the UK, outdoor fire pits are generally allowed, even in smoke control areas, but excessive smoke can still be considered a nuisance.
If you’re unsure what will work best in your garden, we can help you choose between wood-burning, gas, or bioethanol options.
Fire bowls, chimeneas and portable fire features
Corten steel fire bowls, cast iron chimeneas, and freestanding fire pits don’t need permanent installation in the same way, but they still benefit from proper base preparation.
GGM Landscaping’s team can build a dedicated fire pit area with heat-resistant paving, a gravel surround, and screening plants to create a sheltered spot for your chosen feature.
This will allow you to fully relax in your space.
Materials we work with
The materials around your fire pit matter as much as the pit itself.
Not everything handles heat well. And some materials that look great in a show garden will crack or discolour after a few seasons of regular use.
For example, natural stone like granite, sandstone, and slate works well for fire pit surrounds and is naturally heat resistant. And corten steel weathers to a rust-brown finish that actually improves with age and suits contemporary gardens.
We work across both traditional and contemporary styles, so whether you’re after a rustic stone hearth or a sleek modern burner set into porcelain, we’ll match the materials to your garden’s character.
Designing your fire pit area for the Scottish climate
Scottish weather can be harsh. That’s why any landscaping project needs special thought to ensure it lasts the years it is intended to.
Here are some of the careful considerations that we factor into our outdoor fireplace installations:
Wind protection
An exposed fire pit on an open patio will be frustrating to use.
Wind blows smoke into your face, scatters sparks, and makes the flames unpredictable.
We design fire pit areas with natural wind breaks around them, whether that’s a combination of screening, planting, or building walls. We can shelter the space without boxing it in completely.
Drainage
In-ground fire pits collect rainwater. And it rains a lot in Glasgow.
We build drainage layers beneath every in-ground installation and slope the surrounding paving away from the pit so surface water doesn’t turn your pit into a bucket.
Shelter options
Some of our clients combine a fire pit with a pergola or covered structure overhead, which extends the usable season even further.
You get the warmth and atmosphere of the fire with added protection from above.
If this is something you’re considering, we can design the whole space as a single project rather than bolting things together after the fact.
Fire pit safety and regulations
A fire pit is safe when it’s properly installed by skilled tradespeople and sensibly used.
There are a few things to consider before installing one in Glasgow. As professionals, we’ll guide you through the entire process, but for peace of mind, here are a few key points worth knowing.
Clearance from surroundings
Keep any fire pit at least three metres from fences, sheds, trees, and your house.
This is a guideline rather than a law, but it’s based on common sense and what your home insurance will expect.
We always design fire pit areas with this clearance built in.
Smoke control area in Glasgow
Most of Glasgow falls within smoke control areas.
Although there are complicated rules regarding smoke from outdoor fireplaces and pits, it is important not to create excessive smoke. which is a nuisance to your neighbours.
We will be more than happy to guide you through the rules and advise you on options.
Gas fireplaces and firepits
For gas fire pit installations, all gas work must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
We handle this as part of the project and provide the necessary safety certificates on completion.
Why choose GGM for your fire pit installation
You could buy a fire pit bowl from a garden centre and set it on your lawn.
But if you want something built-in, permanent, and designed to work with your garden rather than sitting awkwardly on top of it, you need a reliable landscaping company with the expertise to handle both the construction and the design side.
GGM Landscaping is proud to have named Scotland’s Best Landscaping Company at the 2024 Scottish Home Improvement Awards.
We help hundreds of properties every year to create their dream garden. From your initial design through to the finished paving, planting, and lighting, we have all aspects of design and installation covered.
And as a local team to Glasgow and Central Scotland, we fully understand the specific challenges of building outdoor features that need to perform year-round in the west of Scotland.
Fire pit installation: your questions answered
Do I need planning permission for a fire pit?
In most cases, no. A fire pit is classed as a garden feature and falls within permitted development. If your property is listed or sits within a conservation area, you should check with your local planning authority before starting. We can advise on this during the consultation.
Is a gas fire pit better than wood-burning?
It depends on what you’re after. Gas fire pits are smokeless, light instantly, and work in smoke control areas. Wood-burning pits give you the traditional fire experience with real flames, crackling, and the smell of burning wood.
Neither option is incorrect, it just depends on what you prefer.
Can I have a fire pit on my existing patio?
Yes, but the paving underneath needs to be heat-resistant. Standard concrete slabs can crack under sustained heat.
GGM Landscaping can retrofit a fire pit onto an existing patio by replacing the paving beneath and around it with heat-rated materials, or we can build a raised fire pit that sits above the existing surface.
Do fire pits add value to a property?
A professionally designed and installed fire pit area adds kerb appeal and makes your garden more attractive to buyers. It signals that the outdoor space has been thoughtfully designed rather than left as an afterthought.
The value depends on the quality of workmanship and materials, which is why a bespoke built-in feature adds more than a portable bowl on a lawn.
Contact GGM Landscaping for your free fire pit consultation
If you are interested in enhancing your property with an outdoor fire pit, GGM Landscaping is the team for you.
We will work closely together with you (and well as your outdoor area) to create a stunning outdoor area that you have always envisioned.
Whether you want a standalone fire pit, an outdoor fireplace, a BBQ and fire pit combo, or a full outdoor entertaining area with seating, paving, artificial grass, and planting, we’ll design something that works for your space, your budget, and the Scottish weather.
Let’s get the conversation started.
Simply call us on 07946 322717 or fill in the form on our contact page to arrange your free quote or consultation.