A fire pit turns a good backyard into a great one. There is something about gathering around a fire — whether it is a Tuesday night with family or a Saturday party with neighbors — that makes outdoor spaces feel alive. At VistaScapes & Design, we have installed dozens of fire features across the Tulsa metro, and we get the same question every time: gas or wood burning?
Here is an honest breakdown of both options, what they cost in Tulsa, and what we recommend based on your lifestyle.
Gas Fire Pit vs Wood Burning Fire Pit: The Core Difference
A gas fire pit runs on natural gas or propane, lights with the push of a button, and produces a clean, controllable flame. A wood burning fire pit requires building and maintaining an actual fire — which means smoke, ash cleanup, and the satisfaction of a real crackling fire.
Neither is universally better. The right choice depends on how you actually use your outdoor space.
Gas Fire Pits in Tulsa
Pros
- Instant on/off: Push a button, have fire. Turn it off, have nothing — no embers, no waiting
- Clean and smokeless: No smoke blowing in your face, no ash to clean up
- Adjustable flame height: Turn the dial to control heat and ambiance
- No wood storage: No hauling, splitting, or storing firewood on your property
- HOA-friendly: Many Tulsa HOAs that restrict wood fires allow gas fire features
- Safer for enclosed spaces: Works under a covered pavilion where wood smoke would be problematic
Cons
- Requires a gas line run to the fire pit location ($1,500–$4,000 depending on distance)
- Less visceral than a real wood fire — some homeowners miss the crackling and smell
- Monthly gas cost adds up with heavy use
Cost: Gas Fire Pit in Tulsa
A built-in gas fire pit with custom stone surround runs $3,500–$9,000 installed, plus the cost of the gas line run. A premium gas fireplace integrated into an outdoor living structure can cost $8,000–$18,000 for the feature itself.
Wood Burning Fire Pits in Tulsa
Pros
- The real experience: Real fire, real smoke, real crackling — many homeowners find this irreplaceable
- No utility costs: Buy firewood locally or harvest it yourself
- No gas line required: Can be placed anywhere in the yard with appropriate clearances
- Higher BTUs: Wood fires produce significant heat on cold Oklahoma nights
Cons
- Requires building and tending the fire — not instant
- Smoke direction changes with wind — can be unpleasant for guests
- Cannot be used in burn bans (Tulsa area issues burn bans during dry seasons)
- Ash and cleanup after every use
- Not appropriate under covered pavilions without proper ventilation
- Firewood storage requires dedicated space
Cost: Wood Burning Fire Pit in Tulsa
A built-in wood burning fire pit with stone surround runs $2,500–$7,000 installed depending on size and materials. No gas line cost, but you need to budget for ongoing firewood.
What VistaScapes Recommends for Tulsa Homeowners
Build under a pavilion? Gas only. Wood fires under covered structures create smoke accumulation and fire hazard.
Want to use it year-round without thinking about it? Gas. Push a button, have fire, go inside when you are done.
Love the ritual of building a real fire, have the space, and are not in a burn ban area? Wood burning delivers an experience gas cannot fully replicate.
Want both? Some homeowners build a gas fire table for covered evening use and a wood burning pit in the open yard for weekend gatherings. We have designed multi-zone outdoor living spaces with both.
Popular Fire Feature Designs We Build
- Round gas fire tables with tempered glass media and wind guards
- Square linear burner fire features for modern, contemporary aesthetics
- Built-in gas fireplaces with stacked stone surrounds and wooden mantels
- Rustic round wood burning fire pits with Oklahoma limestone surround
- Fire and water combinations with cascading water features flanking a gas burner
Schedule Your Free Fire Feature Consultation
Ready to add a fire feature to your Tulsa backyard? We help you choose the right style, fuel type, and placement — then build it properly, with all required permits and utility connections handled by our crew.
VistaScapes & Design serves Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Bixby, Owasso, Sand Springs, Claremore, Catoosa, Coweta, and all surrounding Oklahoma communities.
