There is nothing like a crackling fire on a cool Simcoe County evening — friends gathered close, sparks rising into a star-filled sky, the season stretching weeks longer than your neighbours’. A professionally built fire pit turns your backyard into the place everyone wants to be. For 12 years, GDS Landscaping has designed and installed custom fire pits across Barrie and Simcoe County: wood-burning and gas, natural stone and paver kits, built to handle Ontario winters and decades of marshmallow roasts.
We build fire pits as permanent landscape features — properly based, level, and finished to match your patio and home. No wobbly metal bowls, no scorched grass circles. Just a solid, beautiful gathering place engineered for safety and built to last.
Thinking about adding a fire pit to your backyard in Barrie, Innisfil, Orillia, or anywhere in Simcoe County? Call (647) 767-1986 for a free on-site consultation and quote.
Wood vs Gas Fire Pits
The first decision is fuel — and there is no wrong answer, only the right fit for how you live. Here is how wood-burning and gas fire pits compare:
Wood-burning fire pits deliver the full sensory experience: the crackle, the woodsmoke scent, the dancing flames, and serious heat output. They cost less to build (no gas line), fuel is cheap or free in cottage country, and there is nothing quite like cooking over real wood. The trade-offs: you need dry firewood storage, someone has to tend the fire, sparks and embers demand respect, and open-air burning rules vary by municipality — some Simcoe County townships restrict wood-burning fires during dry periods or require permits.
Gas fire pits (natural gas or propane) offer push-button convenience: instant flames, no smoke, no sparks, no ash, no firewood. They are ideal for decks, smaller yards, and anyone who wants ambiance without the work. The flame is steadier and more controllable, and gas units face fewer municipal burning restrictions. The trade-offs: higher upfront cost for the burner system and gas line, plus a licensed gas fitter is required for natural gas connections — which we coordinate as part of your project.
Not sure which suits you? During your free consultation, we will walk through your yard, your usage, and your municipality’s rules, then recommend the option that fits best. Many of our clients choose wood for the cottage feel; busy families and entertainers often prefer gas for weeknight ease.
Our Builds: Stone, Paver Kits & Custom
Every GDS fire pit starts with proper construction — because a fire pit that shifts, cracks, or drains poorly is worse than no fire pit at all. We offer three build styles:
- Natural stone fire pits. Hand-set armour stone or flagstone rings with a fire-rated steel or masonry liner. Each one is unique, blending beautifully with Muskoka-style landscapes and natural shorelines. Our most popular choice for a timeless, rugged look.
- Paver kit fire pits. Precision-cut concrete paver kits in colours matched to your existing interlocking patio or walkway. Clean lines, consistent dimensions, and a perfect match when we build your patio and fire pit together.
- Fully custom designs. Square, rectangular, or sunken fire pits; integrated seating walls; cooking grates and rotisserie setups; gas burner systems with electronic ignition. If you can picture it, we can build it — engineered for your space and your local code requirements.
Every build includes a compacted granular base, proper drainage, heat-rated inner liners, and caps finished to complement your patio. We also build matching seat walls and log storage so your fire pit area feels like a finished outdoor room, not an afterthought.
Safety Clearances & Barrie Bylaws
Fire pits are wonderful — and they demand respect. Safe placement is non-negotiable, and in our experience it is also the part most DIY builds get wrong. Here is what you need to know in Barrie and Simcoe County:
- Clearances matter. As a rule of thumb, wood-burning fire pits should sit at least 3 metres (10 feet) from your house, fences, sheds, overhanging trees, and anything combustible — more is better. Gas units have smaller clearance requirements but still need proper ventilation and setbacks per the manufacturer’s specs and the Ontario gas code.
- Bylaws vary by municipality. Open-air burning rules differ across Barrie, Innisfil, Orillia, Springwater, Oro-Medonte, and other Simcoe County townships. Some prohibit open-air wood burning entirely within urban areas; others allow recreational fires with conditions on size, timing, and supervision, or require burn permits. Gas-fuelled appliances are generally subject to fewer restrictions.
- We design for compliance. Before we build, we confirm the rules for your specific address and design your fire pit’s size, fuel type, and placement to comply. For natural gas installations, we coordinate the licensed gas fitter and required inspections.
The bottom line: a quick call to your municipality — or to us at (647) 767-1986 — before you build saves expensive headaches later. We have navigated these rules across Simcoe County for 12 years.
Pairs Perfectly With Interlocking Patios
A fire pit deserves a proper stage. Most of our fire pit projects are built together with — or into — a new interlocking patio: a level, fire-safe surface in colours that match the pit, with room for chairs all around and no muddy ring of dead grass.
Building both at once saves money (one excavation, one crew, one schedule) and looks dramatically better than bolting a pit onto an old lawn. We can also retrofit a fire pit into your existing patio or design the patio now with a future fire pit in mind. Ask us about package pricing when you call for your quote.
Service Areas
GDS installs custom fire pits throughout Barrie and Simcoe County, including Innisfil, Orillia, Alliston, Bradford, Angus, Springwater, Midhurst, Oro-Medonte, New Tecumseth, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, and Cookstown. Call (647) 767-1986 for your free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does fire pit installation cost in Barrie?
A professionally built fire pit in Simcoe County typically ranges from $2,500-$4,500 for a paver kit fire pit on an existing patio, $4,000-$8,000 for natural stone builds, and $6,000-$12,000+ for custom gas fire pits with seating walls or integrated patios. Gas lines, permits, and site access affect the final price. Call (647) 767-1986 for a free itemized quote.
Should I choose a wood-burning or gas fire pit?
Choose wood for the authentic campfire experience – crackling flames, woodsmoke aroma, and high heat at a lower build cost. Choose gas for push-button convenience with no smoke, sparks, or firewood, and fewer municipal burning restrictions. During your consultation we will recommend the best fit based on your yard, lifestyle, and local bylaws.
Do I need a permit for a fire pit in Barrie or Simcoe County?
It depends on your municipality and fuel type. Open-air wood-burning rules vary widely – some urban areas restrict or prohibit recreational fires, while townships may require burn permits. Natural gas installations require a licensed gas fitter and must meet the Ontario gas code. We confirm the rules for your address and handle compliance as part of every project.
How long does it take to build a fire pit?
Most standalone fire pits take 1-3 days to build, depending on the design and site conditions. Custom stone work with seating walls may take up to a week. When combined with a new interlocking patio, the full project typically runs 1-2 weeks. Your written quote includes a clear timeline before we start.
Can you build a fire pit on my existing patio?
Often, yes. Paver kit and above-grade fire pits can be installed on structurally sound existing patios, provided clearances and heat protection are addressed. We will assess your patio’s condition and base during the consultation. If the patio is failing, combining a new interlocking patio with your fire pit usually delivers the best long-term value.
Related Services
- Interlocking Patios & Driveways
- Landscaping in Barrie & Simcoe County
- Deck Building
- Fence Installation
Get Your Free Fire Pit Quote
Ready for s’mores season? Call (647) 767-1986 or request your free quote online — we will visit your property, confirm local requirements, and design a fire pit built for decades of backyard nights.
Want the full rundown first? Read Fire Pit Installation in Simcoe County: What Homeowners Should Know.