A fire feature transforms how you use your backyard. It extends the outdoor season by weeks on both ends of summer, creates a natural gathering point for family and guests, and adds real value to your property. In Sussex County, where outdoor entertaining is central to the coastal lifestyle, a well-designed fire feature is one of the highest-impact additions you can make to an existing patio or outdoor living space.
The question is not whether to add one -- it is which type, what fuel source, where to place it, and what materials hold up to the salt air and humidity that define our coastal Delaware climate. Here is what we have learned building fire features across Lewes, Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach, and the rest of Sussex County over more than 20 years.
Fire Pits vs. Outdoor Fireplaces: Which Is Right for Your Space?
This is the first decision, and it comes down to three factors: available space, how many people you want to seat around it, and how much wind exposure your property gets.
Fire Pits
Fire pits are the more popular choice in Sussex County for good reason. They provide 360-degree seating, work on patios of virtually any size, and cost significantly less than a full fireplace. A round or square fire pit centered on a patio creates a natural gathering circle where everyone faces the flame and each other -- ideal for the social entertaining that defines life along the Delaware coast.
Fire pits work well on properties with moderate wind exposure. The open design allows wind to disperse smoke in all directions rather than funneling it toward one seating area. For beachside properties in Fenwick Island or Bethany Beach where wind is a constant factor, a fire pit with a wind guard (a tempered glass surround) keeps the flame steady without trapping smoke.
Typical fire pit sizes range from 36 inches in diameter for intimate spaces to 48 or 60 inches for larger patios. Budget for a custom-built fire pit with matching paver or stone veneer ranges from $3,000 to $8,000 in Sussex County, depending on size, material, and gas line complexity.
Outdoor Fireplaces
An outdoor fireplace is a larger investment that makes sense in specific situations. It anchors one end of an outdoor room, provides a focal wall that defines the space architecturally, and directs smoke upward through a chimney rather than across seating areas. If your patio design includes a linear layout -- dining area at one end, fireplace seating at the other -- a fireplace provides the visual structure that a fire pit cannot.
Fireplaces also provide radiant heat in one direction, which makes them more effective for warming a seated area on cool fall evenings. The tradeoff is that they require more space (both depth for the firebox and height clearance for the chimney), cost more to build ($8,000 to $20,000 or more), and limit seating to a semicircle in front of the flame rather than surrounding it.
Fire Tables
Fire tables split the difference. They are essentially rectangular fire pits integrated into a table surface, providing both flame ambiance and a functional surface for drinks and plates. Fire tables work well on smaller patios or as a secondary fire feature alongside an outdoor kitchen dining area.
Fuel Types: Propane, Natural Gas, or Wood-Burning?
Each fuel source has distinct advantages and limitations for Sussex County properties.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is our most-recommended fuel source for permanent fire features. It provides instant ignition, adjustable flame height, clean burning with no ash or soot, and unlimited fuel supply without tank changes. The flame runs directly from your home's gas line, so there is never a tank to refill or replace.
The requirement is that your property must have natural gas service and the fire feature location must be reachable by a gas line extension. In areas like Lewes and Milton where natural gas is available, this is typically straightforward. In more rural areas of Sussex County where properties rely on propane, natural gas may not be an option.
Propane
Propane delivers the same clean-burning convenience as natural gas with one key difference: you need a tank. For fire features, you can use a standard 20-pound portable tank (concealed in the base of the fire pit) or connect to your home's existing propane tank. A 20-pound tank provides roughly 8 to 10 hours of burn time at medium flame, which means you are swapping or refilling tanks every two to three weeks during regular use.
For properties without natural gas service -- common in Dagsboro, Frankford, and inland Sussex County -- propane connected to the home's main tank is the most practical option. No tank swaps, no running out mid-evening.
Wood-Burning
Wood-burning fire pits provide the authentic experience: the crackle, the smell, the ritual of building and tending a fire. They cost less upfront because no gas line is needed, and they produce significantly more heat than gas alternatives.
The drawbacks are real: smoke management (especially on windy coastal evenings), ash cleanup after every use, spark risk on wooden decks or near structures, and the need to store firewood. Some planned communities and HOAs in Sussex County restrict or prohibit wood-burning fire features due to smoke and fire concerns. Check your HOA covenants before committing to wood-burning.
Material Selection for Coastal Delaware
Material choice is where Sussex County fire feature projects differ most from inland installations. Salt air, humidity, and coastal weather conditions affect every material differently.
Stone Veneer
Natural stone veneer (bluestone, fieldstone, or limestone) gives fire features a timeless look and holds up well in salt air. Mortar joints should use polymer-modified mortar rated for coastal exposure. Avoid thin-cut veneer with adhesive-only application -- the adhesive degrades faster in humid, salt-heavy environments.
Concrete Block with Veneer
This is our most-built approach for Sussex County fire features. A structural core of concrete masonry units (CMU) provides the firebox structure and load bearing, while the exterior receives whatever finish material matches your patio -- matching pavers, stone veneer, or stucco. The CMU core is inherently salt-resistant, and the veneer can be replaced or updated without rebuilding the structure.
Stainless Steel Components
Burner pans, gas connections, and ignition components should always be 304-grade stainless steel or better for coastal properties. Lower-grade steel and standard galvanized fittings corrode within one to two seasons in the salt air environment. Specify marine-grade components during the design phase -- retrofitting corroded components costs more than specifying the right materials upfront.
Placement and Code Considerations
Fire feature placement involves both design preference and code compliance. Sussex County follows the International Building Code with local amendments.
Setback Requirements
Fire pits must be at least 10 feet from any structure, property line, or combustible material. Outdoor fireplaces require additional clearance based on chimney height and heat output. These setback requirements affect where on your patio the fire feature can be located, which is why fire feature placement should be part of the initial hardscape design rather than an afterthought.
Wind Exposure
Properties within a mile of the coast experience consistent onshore winds that affect flame behavior and smoke direction. Orient fire pits so the prevailing wind carries smoke away from primary seating areas. For properties in Ocean View, Millville, and other near-coast communities, a wind guard is practically a requirement rather than an optional upgrade.
Integration with Existing Features
The most successful fire features are designed as part of a larger outdoor living space, not as standalone additions. A fire pit ringed by a paver patio with built-in seating walls, positioned to complement an outdoor kitchen and pool area, becomes the central gathering point that ties the entire backyard together. Planning the fire feature alongside the patio and kitchen rather than adding it later avoids the "bolted on" appearance that diminishes both the fire feature and the overall space.
Maintenance and Seasonal Care
Gas Fire Features
Gas fire features require minimal maintenance: inspect the burner and ignition system in spring before first use, check gas connections for leaks annually, and clean fire glass or lava rock media as needed. Cover the fire feature when not in use to prevent debris accumulation in the burner pan. Before the season starts, run through the summer outdoor living prep checklist to catch any issues early.
Wood-Burning Fire Features
Wood-burning units need more attention: clean ash after each use, inspect the firebox for cracking or mortar deterioration annually, and check the chimney (on fireplaces) for creosote buildup. Store firewood at least 20 feet from the fire feature and your home to reduce pest attraction.
Ready to Add a Fire Feature to Your Backyard?
A fire feature is one of the most enjoyed additions to any outdoor living space. Our team designs and builds custom fire pits, fireplaces, and fire tables that integrate with your existing patio and landscape, using materials and construction methods proven to last in Sussex County's coastal environment.
Contact us for a free estimate or call (302) 402-3659. We serve homeowners in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, Millsboro, Dagsboro, Milton, Ocean View, and all of Sussex County, Delaware.