Backyard fire pit design in Tulsa has shifted almost entirely to natural gas — the built-in gas fire pit is the standard fire feature for new Tulsa outdoor living environments because it eliminates wood storage, smoke management, and fire pit maintenance while delivering the ambiance and heat that makes outdoor living enjoyable into Oklahoma’s fall months. Here are the fire pit design options VistaScapes & Design builds for Tulsa backyards.
Backyard Fire Pit Options for Tulsa
- Built-in round gas fire pit – A circular masonry fire pit base (36-48 inch diameter) with a drop-in gas burner pan and lava rock or glass media; the most common fire pit configuration in Tulsa covered patios and patio environments; 65,000-100,000 BTU burner; natural gas or propane; the fire pit that becomes the focal point of evening outdoor seating; casual furniture arranged in a circle or U-shape around the fire pit; $5,500-$8,500 for a built-in round gas fire pit with matching veneer to the outdoor kitchen; the fire feature that most changes how the outdoor space is used after sunset
- Built-in square or rectangular gas fire pit – A linear fire pit with a rectangular burner (24×48 to 30×60 inch typical) set in a masonry surround; the contemporary fire pit aesthetic versus the traditional round configuration; works as a linear focal element in covered patios with modern or transitional architecture; rectangular fire pits pair well with sectional furniture arranged on two sides of the linear flame; $6,000-$9,500 for a built-in rectangular gas fire pit; appropriate for south Tulsa contemporary homes and Jenks and Bixby premium outdoor living environments
- Outdoor gas fire table – A freestanding gas fire table with an integrated burner; the fire feature that doesn’t require permanent installation; can be repositioned; $600-$3,500 for quality freestanding gas fire tables; less visual impact than a built-in masonry fire pit but the option for homeowners who want fire feature flexibility or who are in a rental or early-phase outdoor living setup; appropriate for covered patios and patio environments where a built-in fire feature isn’t in the current budget
- Wood-burning fire pit with Oklahoma limestone or stone surround – A traditional wood-burning fire pit built from Oklahoma limestone or stone veneer; the fire feature for Tulsa homeowners who specifically want wood fire and are willing to manage wood storage and smoke; requires a screen or spark guard; open wood-burning fire pits are subject to local burn restrictions during Tulsa’s dry fall periods — check Tulsa and Oklahoma county burn ordinances before specifying a wood-burning fire pit in a covered or semi-enclosed environment; $3,500-$7,000 for a masonry wood-burning fire pit
- Fire pit placement in Tulsa backyard designs – Built-in gas fire pit under a covered patio: position at the open side of the covered patio (away from the home) so the fire feature is visible from inside while the covered patio provides the overhead cover; fire pit adjacent to but outside the covered patio: creates a transition between covered and open zones; minimum 10-foot clearance from combustible roofing for wood-burning fire pits; gas fire pits can be positioned closer to covered structures when the manufacturer’s clearance is observed; VistaScapes positions fire features as part of the integrated outdoor living design, not as an afterthought
Call VistaScapes & Design at (918) 779-1317 for a free fire pit design consultation in Tulsa. We design fire features as part of the complete outdoor living environment. Free on-site visit, no obligation.
