Fire keeps a Wisconsin backyard in use long after the pool closes. A pool here has five good months. A fire feature built into the patio has nine, and it can make a cool April or October evening feel like June. That is why the gas vs wood fire pit question deserves attention early in the design, while it can still shape where the fire goes, what surrounds it and which utilities run beneath the patio.
Our built-in fire features are made in masonry block and burn gas or wood: a masonry block fire pit for a wood fire, or a masonry block fire table with a gas insert. Each one is anchored in place and designed as part of the patio, structures and seating around it.
Start with the kind of evening you have in mind. One option gives you fire on demand. The other makes building the fire part of the night.
A gas fire table lights with a switch or the turn of a valve. The flame comes up right away, burns clean and steady, and goes out when you turn it off. With no firewood to carry and no ash to sweep up the next morning, it is easy to use the fire often.
That ease suits short, spontaneous evenings: half an hour on a weeknight, coffee on a cool May morning, or a party where the host is busy at the grill. The masonry surround doubles as a ledge for drinks and plates.
A wood-burning fire pit turns the fire itself into an activity. Someone lays the kindling, feeds the first logs and watches it catch. The smell of woodsmoke, the crackle and a glow that lasts late into the evening are why many families choose wood, and an established wood fire gives off strong heat on a cold night.
Wood fits a slower pace: s’mores with the kids, a Friday night in October, a fire that settles into embers while the conversation keeps going. Before everyone heads inside, the fire has to be put out completely.
Here is how the two compare side by side:
| Factor | Gas fire table | Wood-burning fire pit |
|---|---|---|
| Lighting | A switch or the turn of a valve | Kindling, firewood and some patience |
| Heat | Steady warmth around the table | Strong heat once the fire is established |
| Smoke | Very little | Moves with the wind |
| Cleanup | Keep the burner and fire media clear | Remove ash between fires |
| Fuel | A natural gas line, planned at the design stage | A dry, convenient spot for firewood |
| Placement | Close to pools, kitchens and covered seating, within required clearances | Open space, clear of structures, roofs and trees |
| Local rules | Ask how your community treats gas fire features | Check your municipality’s open-burning rules |
| Built-in form | Masonry block fire table with a gas insert | Masonry block fire pit |
Fuel is one decision. Form is another: an outdoor fire pit, a fire table and an outdoor fireplace each gather people in a different way.
A built-in fire pit sits low, the classic setting for a wood fire, with chairs pulled into a circle or a sit-wall built alongside for permanent seating. Our project, Outdoor Oasis, in Green Bay sets a built-in fire pit and block sit-wall on one end of its paver decking, with outcropping retaining walls managing the grade on the other.
A fire table brings the flame up to table height inside a masonry surround with a gas insert. Rectangular tables line up neatly with the edges of a patio or pool deck. Our project, Pool Party, in Appleton places a built-in rectangular gas fire table on the lower patio, which it shares with a built-in outdoor kitchen with a kegerator.
An outdoor fireplace is the most architectural of the three. Its back wall and chimney send smoke up and heat toward the seating in front, and it tends to anchor a covered space. Our project, Countryside Haven, in Freedom, Wisconsin, shelters a built-in kitchen, smoker and fireplace under one timberframe roofline that runs the length of the house.
Placement is easiest to get right on paper, before the patio base goes in.
A gas fire table can sit close to the pool deck, where swimmers can climb out and warm up on a cool evening. A wood fire near the water sends smoke across the deck and lets ash drift into the pool, so a wood-burning fire pit usually works best a comfortable distance away, often on a patio of its own.
Pergolas, pavilions and pool houses add shelter, and any open flame needs room around them. Keep a wood fire well clear of timber beams, roof edges and low branches. A gas fire table is easier to place near a covered space, within the clearances its manufacturer and local code call for. For a fire under the roof itself, an outdoor fireplace with a chimney is often the better fit.
An outdoor kitchen and a fire feature make good neighbors when they share a patio with room to move between them. The main thing to plan around is wood smoke drifting over the dinner table, which a gas fire table avoids.
Seating decides how the fire gets used. Built-in sit-walls give a fire pit seating that stays put all year, and a fire table works well with lounge chairs gathered around its ledge. Low outdoor lighting on nearby steps and walkways keeps the way visible after dark while the fire stays the focus.
Smoke follows the wind, and with a wood fire it decides where people end up sitting. Before choosing a spot, think about which way the breeze usually crosses your yard on summer and fall evenings and where it would carry the smoke: toward open windows, across the pool deck, under a covered patio or into the neighbor’s yard.
Wind affects gas too. A gas flame can flicker or lean in a strong gust, so an exposed spot on an open country lot, or a yard near Lake Winnebago or the bay, benefits from some shelter. A sit-wall or planting bed on the windward side helps either kind of fire.
A gas fire table is typically connected to a natural gas line that runs underground and beneath the patio, so its route belongs in the design stage, planned with any gas service for an outdoor kitchen before the base and pavers go in. If you are leaning toward wood today and might want gas someday, mention it at the start, while the patio is still on paper.
Gas fire features need light, routine care. Keep leaves, debris and snow off the burner and fire media, cover the insert between uses if it came with a cover, and follow the manufacturer’s guidance for seasonal checks.
Wood asks for more regular attention. Ash comes out between fires, firewood needs a dry spot away from the house, and the masonry around the fire bowl darkens with soot over time. Buying firewood locally is a good habit here, since firewood moved long distances can carry invasive insects. The design should also let rain and snowmelt drain from the fire bowl, so water has nowhere to sit and freeze.
The patio around any fire feature faces the same freeze-thaw cycles as the rest of the hardscape, and our comparison of paver and concrete patios in Wisconsin covers how each surface holds up.
Rules for backyard fires vary across Northeast Wisconsin communities, so check your municipality’s open-burning rules before you settle on wood. Requirements for recreational fires can cover distance from buildings and property lines, what you are allowed to burn, and restrictions during dry or windy weather. Ask how your community treats gas fire features too.
On a larger property, the answer can be two fire features with different jobs. Our project, Modern Getaway, in Appleton has a wood-burning fire pit with a flagstone patio and a built-in rectangular fire table with custom stone sit-walls, giving the patio two separate reasons to linger. The same property includes a two-story timberframe pavilion, a 35-foot fiberglass pool and hot tub, and a covered outdoor kitchen.
Our project, Contemporary Getaway, in Green Bay brings wood and gas together another way. A built-in outdoor kitchen with a wood-fired pizza oven serves as the patio’s gathering point, and a rectangular gas fire table extends the season at the other end of the space.
Two fires work well when each has a clear role: a gas fire table near the pool or kitchen for quick, everyday evenings, and a wood-burning fire pit farther out for long nights when building the fire is the point. Our guide to planning a complete outdoor living space in Wisconsin shows how fire features fit with the rest of the backyard, and our project gallery has more examples from across Northeast Wisconsin.
It depends on how you want to use it. Gas suits frequent, spontaneous use: it lights with a switch, burns clean and turns off when you are done. Wood suits slower evenings built around the fire, with the crackle, the smell of woodsmoke and strong heat once it gets going. Some larger backyards include both.
Yes, with the right type and placement. A gas fire table can sit close to a pool deck because it produces no ash and very little smoke. A wood-burning fire pit usually works best a comfortable distance from the water, which keeps smoke off the deck and ash out of the pool.
A built-in gas fire table is typically connected to a natural gas line. The line runs underground and beneath the patio, so it is best planned at the design stage, before the base and pavers go in. If the plan includes an outdoor kitchen with a gas grill, the gas service for both can be planned together.
Rules for recreational fires vary by municipality, so check your community’s open-burning rules before choosing wood. Requirements can cover distance from buildings and property lines, what you can burn, and restrictions during dry or windy weather.
Whether you are picturing a gas fire table beside the pool or a wood-burning fire pit at the edge of the yard, our team would be glad to help you plan it. We design and build fire features in Green Bay, Appleton, Neenah, Oshkosh, Menasha, Fond du Lac and nearby communities. Contact us to start the conversation.
Most Wisconsin backyards are built one project at a time. A patio one year, a pool a few years later, lighting when someone finally notices the steps are hard to see at night. Each piece might be well built on its own, but together they rarely feel like one space.
A complete outdoor living space starts from the other direction. You decide how you want to live outside first, then plan the pool, patio, structures, kitchen, fire features, lighting, and grading as one environment. That is how we approach every project, because we design and build the whole backyard rather than a single feature within it.
This guide walks through planning a complete outdoor living space in Wisconsin, step by step, in the order that tends to produce the best results.
Before anyone talks about pool shapes or paver colors, the most useful question is a simple one: how do you want to spend time out here? The answer shapes every decision that follows.
Think about how your household will actually use the space:
Most families land on a mix, and the priorities matter as much as the list. A yard built mainly for weeknight family dinners looks different from one built to host fifty people on a Saturday. Being honest about how you live now, and how that might change over the next few years, keeps the plan focused on what you will actually use.
Every complete outdoor space has an anchor: the largest element, the one everything else is organized around. In most Wisconsin backyards, the anchor is one of three things:
The anchor should be positioned first because it takes up the most space and is the hardest thing to change later. Its location sets the sight lines from the house, where sun and shade fall through the day, how people move through the yard, and how much lawn remains. It also involves the heaviest construction, so its placement shapes excavation, equipment access, and grading for everything else.
With a pool, the model matters as much as the location, because fiberglass pools come in set shapes and sizes. Browsing our Barrier Reef fiberglass pool models early helps you picture what fits. On our project, Modern Getaway, in Appleton, a two-story timberframe pool house anchors the property, its open-truss loft looking down over a 35-foot fiberglass pool and hot tub. The outdoor kitchen sits under cover, a wood-burning fire pit and a built-in fire table give the patio two gathering points, and three tiers of outcropping retaining wall step the grade down toward the farmland behind.
Once the anchor is placed, the patio ties everything together. It is the surface people walk, sit, cook, and gather on, and its layout decides how easy the whole space is to use.
Good traffic flow comes from planning the connections between:
Size the patio for what happens on it. A dining table with the chairs pulled out, a lounge group, and a walkway past both need more room than most people expect, and a patio that is too small is one of the hardest problems to fix later. On sloped properties, the patio may split into levels connected by steps, which can create natural zones for cooking, dining, and relaxing.
Our project, Covered Comfort, in Neenah shows how circulation can shape a whole property. Curved paver walkways with natural stone steps connect the levels and lead out to a stone outdoor fireplace, and a paver front walkway carries the same materials from the backyard around to the front door.
Structures turn a patio into a room. They provide shade in July, cover from rain, a place for fans, heaters, and lighting, and a sense of enclosure that makes a space feel finished. The question is which kind fits the way you want to use the yard:
Weather protection matters more in Wisconsin than in milder climates. A roofed structure lets you cook and eat outside through spring showers and cool fall evenings, and it protects outdoor kitchen appliances and furniture. Placement matters too. A structure positioned for afternoon shade and privacy will get far more use than one placed only for looks.
Our outdoor structures and pergolas range from pergolas on stone pillars to full timberframe pavilions and pool houses. On our Outdoor Oasis project in Green Bay, a timberframe barn-beam pool house with its own bathroom sits alongside a pergola attached to the home, giving the property two covered structures working together.
An outdoor kitchen is only as good as its layout. Before choosing finishes, decide what you actually want to cook and how many people you usually cook for. From there, the core elements are:
The utilities are the part to plan earliest. Gas lines, electrical circuits, and water supply run under the patio, so they need to be designed before the hardscape goes in. Our approach to custom outdoor kitchens is to plan water, gas, power, and ventilation at the design stage rather than roughing them in afterward.
On our Contemporary Getaway project in Green Bay, a built-in outdoor kitchen with a wood-fired pizza oven doubles as the patio's main gathering point. At Covered Comfort, two timber pavilions cover the kitchen and a stone bar built for a crowd.
In Wisconsin, fire features do more than set a mood. They extend the outdoor season into cool spring nights and crisp fall evenings, well after the pool has closed for the year.
The two main options work differently:
Gas fire pits and fire tables light at the flip of a switch and burn without wood smoke, which suits patios close to the house and weeknight use. Wood-burning pits offer the crackle and smell many people want, and they work best with more open space around them. Some yards have room for both.
Our project, Outdoor Dream, in Neenah pairs a custom stone fireplace with a separate built-in stone fire pit, giving the patio two distinct gathering points.
Lighting is the element most often left until the end, and it shows. When lighting is added after the patio, walls, and structures are finished, wiring has to be routed around finished hardscape, fixtures end up where they are easy to install rather than where they are needed, and the result often looks like an afterthought.
Planning outdoor lighting from the beginning lets wiring run under the patio before it is laid and lets fixtures be built into walls, steps, and structures. A complete lighting plan usually covers:
Good lighting is also layered: brighter where people cook and walk, softer where they relax. On our Poolside Retreat project in Neenah, lighting on the hardscape keeps a double sheer descent waterfall working well past dusk.
A beautiful outdoor space still has to manage water and elevation correctly. Wisconsin's spring rains and snowmelt put real pressure on any backyard, and drainage problems tend to show up after everything is finished: water pooling on the patio, soil washing out of planting beds, or runoff heading toward the house.
Grading and drainage should be designed before the hardscape, not fixed afterward. That means setting the patio with the right slope, planning where water will go, and deciding early how to handle any changes in elevation.
On sloped lots, retaining walls do more than hold back soil. They create level, usable areas, define spaces, and can double as built-in seating. Our project, Lakeside Luxury, in Neenah uses an outcropping retaining wall with a built-in sit-wall that turns the grade change into extra seating. On our River Renovation project in Appleton, tiered and terraced retaining walls carry the grade from the house down to the river's edge, with natural stone steps connecting two patios along the way.
This is the step that ties the rest together. Many backyards are built in a sequence like this. Install the pool. Later, add a patio. Later still, add a kitchen. Eventually, add lighting.
Each step makes sense in the moment, but every addition has to work around what is already there. Patios get sized for the pool and end up too small for a dining area. Gas and electrical lines have to be trenched through finished pavers. Structures go wherever there is room left instead of where they would do the most good. The yard never quite reads as one space.
Designing the entire environment together avoids those problems, even if construction happens in phases. With a complete plan:
This is where working with one team for the whole backyard makes a difference. We design and build pools, patios, structures, outdoor kitchens, fire features, lighting, and retaining walls, so the entire space is planned by the same people who build it. On our project, Poolside Paradise, in Appleton, a timberframe pavilion raised on stone pillars covers the outdoor kitchen and a custom stone fireplace, a separate round gas fire table gives the open end of the patio a second gathering point, and lighting on both structure and hardscape carries the whole property into the evening.
You can see how complete spaces come together in our project gallery. If timing is on your mind, our guide to how long a fiberglass pool installation takes in Wisconsin covers what shapes a project schedule.
Start with how you want to use the space, then place the largest element, usually the pool, a pavilion, or the main patio. Walkways, seating, structures, and lighting are all easier to plan once that anchor is positioned.
No. Many homeowners build in phases. The key is designing the complete space first, so utilities, grading, and layout are planned for the finished backyard and each phase fits the next.
Covered structures, fire features, and lighting all extend the season. A roofed pavilion handles rain and sun, fire pits and fireplaces add warmth on cool spring and fall evenings, and good lighting keeps the space usable after dark.
It depends on how you gather. Fire pits and fire tables create a circle people sit around and fit in the middle of a seating area. Fireplaces are larger, throw heat in one direction, and anchor a seating area or covered space. Some yards have room for both.
At the beginning. Planning lighting with the rest of the design lets wiring run under the patio before it is installed and lets fixtures be built into walls, steps, and structures instead of added afterward.
Water has to go somewhere. Without proper grading and drainage, water can pool on the patio, wash out planting beds, or flow toward the house. Designing the grade before the hardscape goes in prevents problems that are difficult to fix once everything is built.
A complete outdoor living space does not have to include every feature. Our project, Simple Serenity, in Menasha pairs a pool with a built-in stone fire pit, and that is the whole program. What matters is that every piece is planned to work with the others.
Our team designs and builds outdoor living spaces for homeowners in Appleton, Neenah, Green Bay, Oshkosh, and surrounding communities. Schedule a consultation to talk through how you want to use your backyard and how to plan it as one space.
Neenah homeowners are transforming their backyards into luxurious extensions of their homes. As outdoor living becomes a priority, several trends are emerging to enhance functionality, sustainability, and comfort. Below are just some of these trends that you'll want to be a part of (if you're not already)!
Incorporating native plants not only supports local ecosystems but also reduces maintenance. Homeowners are opting for native grasses, wildflowers, and shrubs that thrive in Wisconsin's climate, promoting biodiversity and sustainability.
Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are becoming central gathering spots. They provide warmth during cooler months and create a cozy ambiance for evening gatherings. Modern designs range from rustic stone to sleek metal finishes, catering to diverse aesthetic preferences.
Outdoor cooking spaces are evolving beyond basic grills. Integrated kitchens with countertops, sinks, and storage allow for seamless entertaining. Paired with comfortable dining areas, they make al fresco dining a regular delight.
Smart lighting systems enhance safety and ambiance. Homeowners are installing programmable LED lights that can be controlled via smartphones, allowing for customizable settings that suit any occasion.
Investing in high-quality, weather-resistant furniture ensures longevity and comfort. According to Shrub Hub, Modular seating, plush cushions, and durable materials like teak and wrought iron are popular choices, blending style with functionality.
According to Real Simple, creating spaces dedicated to relaxation and mindfulness is on the rise. Incorporating elements like water features, meditation spots, and aromatic plants fosters a tranquil environment conducive to well-being.
At Springhetti Luxury Outdoor Spaces, we specialize in bringing these trends to life. From design to installation, our team ensures your outdoor living space reflects your lifestyle and preferences.
Green Bay homeowners are reimagining their backyards into luxurious outdoor spaces that rival indoor living. As remote work, outdoor entertaining, and property value appreciation become more important, residents are turning to backyard renovations as a smart and enjoyable investment.
While Wisconsin’s winters are long, Green Bay families are extending their outdoor enjoyment with features like fire pits, covered patios, and pergolas. These additions help homeowners make the most of spring, summer, and fall, adding more usable living space without the cost of a home addition.
In 2025, outdoor living spaces are all about sustainability, versatility, and seamless indoor-outdoor integration. Homeowners are investing in eco-friendly materials, wellness-focused designs, and multifunctional spaces that work for relaxing, entertaining, and everyday living.
Backyard upgrades like fiberglass pools, outdoor kitchens, and custom patios are not only lifestyle-enhancing but can also boost property value. In a competitive housing market, a thoughtfully designed outdoor space can set a home apart—especially when prospective buyers see a turn-key backyard retreat.
Well-planned outdoor backyard improvements can boost your home's value generally speaking. Smart backyard improvements add value beyond simple landscaping. They turn unused outdoor spaces into attractive, functional areas that buyers love.
With more people staying local for holidays and gatherings, Green Bay homeowners are prioritizing spaces that bring loved ones together. Outdoor dining areas, built-in grills, and cozy fire features are perfect for hosting get-togethers with minimal effort and maximum enjoyment.
In 2025, high-tech outdoor kitchens are on the rise, featuring luxury appliances, built-in seating, and smart home integration.
Modern hardscaping materials and fiberglass pools make it easier to maintain a stunning backyard without constant upkeep. This is a huge win in Wisconsin’s climate where durability matters. Homeowners are opting for paver patios, composite decks, and automated lighting systems that look beautiful year-round.
According to The Spruce, in 2025, outdoor design trends are shifting towards timeless, high-quality, and practical aesthetics, moving away from outdated styles that lack personality and durability.
Perhaps the biggest reason Green Bay residents are jumping into backyard renovations? They have access to trusted, experienced contractors like Springhetti Luxury Outdoor Spaces. With a streamlined process and a portfolio of stunning transformations across Wisconsin, we help homeowners bring their vision to life on time and within budget.
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Springhetti Group proudly serves Green Bay, Neenah, Appleton, and surrounding Wisconsin communities with custom fiberglass pools, patios, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, and more. Let’s talk about your dream backyard. Click below to schedule your consultation.