Should I add a fire pit or fireplace to my pool area in Maryland?

The Short Answer

For most Maryland homeowners, yes — a fire feature is one of the best investments in extending outdoor living beyond pool season. September through November evenings around a fire pit on a well-designed patio are a distinct pleasure on the Chesapeake Bay. The choice between a fire pit and a built-in fireplace depends on your layout, aesthetic, and whether you prefer the social geometry of a fire pit (people gather in a circle) or the architectural presence of a fireplace (creates a focal wall and defines a room).

Fire Pit vs. Built-In Fireplace

• Fire pit: Creates a 360-degree social gathering point. Seating rings the fire from all sides — casual, flexible, suits a larger group. Typically positioned in the center of a seating area or at the far edge of the patio. Lower cost than a full fireplace, integrates naturally with a paver patio. Gas fire pits eliminate ash and smoke management while providing instant on/off control.
• Built-in fireplace: Creates an architectural focal point — defines a “room” in the outdoor living space. Works especially well on a covered patio or under a pergola. Higher cost and footprint (foundation, surround, flue or vent), but significantly greater visual impact. Popular on Eastern Shore and waterfront properties where the patio connects to interior living rooms through glass doors.

Gas vs. Wood-Burning in Maryland

Anne Arundel County and many Maryland jurisdictions issue burn bans on high air quality alert days — gas fire features are exempt. Gas is clean-burning, on-demand, and requires no ash management. Wade installs natural gas features on properties with gas service and propane on properties without it.

For homeowners who specifically want a wood-burning experience, a masonry fire pit with a spark screen and proper siting (15–20 feet from the pool, away from overhanging branches) is the right answer. Wade designs these with adequate separation from pool equipment and drainage provisions in the surrounding hardscape.

Placement and Materials

Distance from pool: 15–20 feet from the pool edge — visually connected to the outdoor living area while keeping smoke away from swimmers and heat away from pool equipment. Wade positions fire features downwind of the pool based on prevailing wind direction observed during the site visit.

Materials: Natural stone (bluestone, Pennsylvania fieldstone, granite) and quality concrete masonry handle heat cycling without cracking. Avoid travertine and limestone on fire pit caps and firebox surrounds — they can spall under high heat. Corten steel fire bowls are a contemporary alternative that develops a natural rust patina.