Questions You Should Know about Fire Glass

Fire glass has rapidly become a favored option for homeowners looking to elevate their outdoor spaces. With its myriad benefits, fire glass not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of gas fire pits but also adds functionality. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast looking to upgrade your backyard or a DIY lover planning your next project, understanding the crucial aspects of fire glass will help you make an informed choice.

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These ten questions to ask when buying fire glass for a gas fire pit will ensure you get the right medium the first time, giving you more time to enjoy your outdoor space.

Investing in Fire Glass

Purchasing fire glass for your gas fire pit is more than just a decorative decision. It’s an investment in the beauty and utility of your outdoor space. By considering the most common questions, you ensure that you get the best value for your money, the highest-quality product, and a fire pit experience that exceeds your expectations. However, it’s important to understand what fire glass brings to the table so you know what you’re getting into.

Benefits of Fire Glass

The choice of fire medium is crucial because it directly impacts the performance, safety, and aesthetic of your gas fire pit. Fire glass, as a fire medium, excels in several aspects. Selecting the right fire medium ensures longevity, safety, and a captivating fire pit experience.

Below are some of the top benefits of fire glass:

• Aesthetic appeal: Fire glass offers a stunning visual effect, transforming any gas fire pit into a centerpiece. The reflective properties of the glass produce mesmerizing flames, providing an elegant and contemporary look.
• Heat distribution: Fire glass is excellent at retaining and distributing heat more effectively than traditional fire pit materials like wood or lava rocks. This ensures a consistent and warm ambience for outdoor gatherings.
• Eco-friendly: Unlike wood, fire glass does not produce smoke, ash, or harmful emissions, making it an environmentally friendly option. It helps to keep the air clean and minimizes the carbon footprint associated with outdoor fires.
• Low maintenance: One of the significant advantages of fire glass is its durability and ease of maintenance. It does not crumble, melt, or discolor over time, and cleaning it typically requires a simple rinse with water.
• Safety: Fire glass is able to withstand high temperatures without any risk of toxic fumes or explosions. Additionally, it does not spark or pop like traditional wood, which makes it a safer material.

With these benefits in mind, you can start asking pertinent questions and ensure your purchase is as informed as possible.

Key Questions To Ask When Buying Fire Glass

What Size of Fire Glass Do I Need?

Fire glass comes in various sizes, typically ranging from ¼-inch to ½-inch pieces. The size you choose can affect the overall look and functionality of your fire pit. Smaller pieces create a more uniform surface and may provide better coverage, while larger pieces offer a more dramatic and reflective display. Consider the style and appearance you want to achieve when selecting the size.

How Much Fire Glass Do I Need?

Determining the amount of fire glass required depends on the size and shape of your fire pit. As a general rule, measure the area where you’ll place the fire glass and calculate the volume. Most fire glass suppliers offer calculators or guidelines to help you estimate the quantity needed based on the dimensions of your fire pit.

What Color Options Are Available?

One of the most exciting aspects of fire glass is the vast array of colors available. From vibrant blues and reds to subtle earth tones and crystal-clear options, the color you choose can significantly impact the ambiance of your outdoor space. Think about the overall theme and palette of your yard when selecting a fire glass color that complements your design.

Is the Fire Glass Tempered?

Tempering is a process that strengthens the glass and makes it more durable and heat resistant. Always ensure that the fire glass you purchase can withstand the high temperatures produced by gas fire pits. Nontempered glass can crack or shatter, posing safety risks and reducing the longevity of your fire pit.

How Does the Manufacturer Test for Quality?

Quality assurance is crucial when selecting fire glass. Reputable manufacturers test their products to ensure they meet safety and performance standards. Ask about the testing methods used and look for certifications or endorsements that indicate a commitment to quality.

What Are the Cleaning and Maintenance Requirements?

While fire glass is relatively low maintenance, it still requires occasional cleaning to maintain its sparkle and efficiency. Inquire about the recommended cleaning methods and frequency. Some fire glass may need to be rinsed with water to remove soot and debris, while others might require more specific care instructions.

Can Fire Glass Be Used in All Types of Gas Fire Pits?

Not all fire glass is suitable for every type of gas fire pit. Ensure that the fire glass you choose is compatible with your specific fire pit setup, whether it’s a natural gas or propane system. Compatibility ensures optimal performance and safety.

What Is the Return Policy?

Understanding the return policy is essential in case the fire glass you purchase doesn’t meet your expectations or requirements. Check if the supplier offers a reasonable return window and if there are any restocking fees. A customer-friendly return policy can provide peace of mind and make the purchasing process smoother.

How Does Fire Glass Affect the Heat Output?

Fire glass can influence the distribution and intensity of heat from your fire pit. While it generally enhances heat efficiency, different types and sizes of fire glass may have varying effects on heat output. Consult with the supplier or manufacturer to understand how your choice of fire glass could impact the warmth and comfort of your outdoor space.

What Is the Cost Compared to Other Fire Pit Fillers?

Finally, compare the cost of fire glass with other fire pit fillers like lava rocks, ceramic logs, or stones. Though fire glass may have a higher upfront cost, its durability, aesthetic appeal, and low maintenance can offer better long-term value. Assess your budget and the unique benefits of fire glass to decide if it’s the right investment for you.

Get the Most Out of Your Outdoor Space

Buying fire glass for your gas fire pit involves more than just selecting a pretty color. By asking these ten critical questions, you ensure that your purchase enhances both the functionality and beauty of your outdoor space. From understanding the size and amount needed to evaluating quality and compatibility, each question guides you toward making a well-informed decision.

If you’re looking to liven up your outdoor fire pit or fireplace, fire glass is a fantastic choice. Its shimmery, sparkling look and vibrant selection of colors are a refreshing option over the usual brown, “blah” lava rocks and stones. You’ll love the way the fire appears to skip and dance across the glass—it’s a mesmerizing show! But even in the light of day, when your fire feature is dormant, fire glass provides dazzling beauty all on its own.

While you may be tempted to fill your cart with fire glass right away, it’s a good idea to learn all you can about this fabulous fire pit media before you buy. That way, you can be sure you’re getting the right product in the right amount and using it properly. The results—a showstopping fire feature that enhances your home’s outdoor living space—will be worth the wait!

Here are some common questions and answers to help “fuel” a smart fire glass shopping experience.

1. Is fire glass really safe to use in my fire pit?

Fire pit glass is a special type of decorative glass that’s used to beautify outdoor gas fire pits and fireplaces. It comes in a variety of types including tempered fire glass, crushed fire glass, fire glass diamonds and fire beads.

But wait a minute. Using glass in your fire pit—is that really safe?

Absolutely! Fire glass isn’t made of regular glass, like the type your drinking glasses are made of. It’s constructed of specially manufactured heat resistant glass that’s inert – meaning it doesn’t contain any finishes, additives or combustibles. Its color is achieved by adding metal oxides or metal powders to the glass in order to change its shade.

Fire glass is highly heat-resistant, making it perfectly suitable for use in an indoor gas fireplace or outdoor fire pit or fireplace. Unlike traditional glass, it won’t burn, melt, disintegrate or explode. It also won’t easily fade or turn odd colors. And, even more importantly, fire glass will not produce toxic or bad-smelling fumes when it’s burnt. This is a big consideration—especially if you have small children or animals at home. After all, who wants to breathe in dangerous chemicals when they’re trying to enjoy a relaxing evening by the fire?

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2. Do I need a special kind of fireplace to use fire glass?

You can use fire glass in virtually any propane or natural gas fire feature. You can’t, however, use it in a real wood-burning fireplace. When using fire glass in a gas fireplace, you can simply replace the lava rocks in the bed of your fireplace with fire glass to add extra sparkle or some color. If your gas fireplace has a “burning embers” look achieved by running gas through a non-combustible material (usually vermiculite), you cannot replace this artificial material with fire glass.

3. Do I need glass doors or screens on my fire feature when I use fire glass?

It’s not necessary to use glass doors and spark screens with fire glass, since this media does not throw hot, popping cinders when burned. However, you may want to consider safety barriers if you have small children or nosy pets in your home.

4. Should I cover the burner with fire glass, or should I leave it exposed?

Yes, you should cover the burner — but only with just enough fire glass so that it’s not visible. This is especially true if you’re using a propane fire feature, since propane is heavier than air and needs to be dispersed close to the flame. Natural gas is lighter than air, so it will rise to the surface on its own – as such the fire glass can cover the burner to a deeper depth.

To be honest, this is the most common mistake we see in fire pit installations. The builder constructs a gorgeous fire pit, but leaves the burner rings exposed! The rings really are an unsightly eyesore, sitting there right in the middle of a bed of beautiful fire glass. Don’t make this same mistake with your own fire feature-be sure to provide enough coverage to conceal your burner. Trust us, it makes a huge difference!

5. How deep should the fire glass be?

Ideally, your fire pit should be filled with fire glass to a depth of 1” to 2”. You want to have enough fire glass so that your burner isn’t visible. On the flip side, creating a layer that’s more than 2” deep is unnecessary—and quite frankly, a waste of money. (Note: If you have a depth greater than 2” to fill, take a look at the “Can I use my existing lava rocks as a filler under my fire glass?” question below.)

6. How much fire glass do I need?

First of all, we always recommend you purchase less fire glass than you think you need—then add more fire glass as required. Why do we suggest this? Well, with the fast and free delivery offered by manufacturers like Celestial Fire Glass, it’s much easier to order an additional jar than it is to ship an extra jar back (when you consider the hassle of repackaging, adding a label and driving the package to your local UPS drop-off location).

Now, to help you determine how much fire glass you need, we’ve created an easy-to-use fire glass calculator. Simply enter the size and depth you want to fill, and the calculator will determine how much fire glass you need to buy. Here’s a tip: round down to the nearest 10 pounds, and then add more glass in a second order if needed. See our handy fire glass calculator to determine how much you need.

7. Can I use my existing lava rocks as a filler under my fire glass?

Most definitely, YES! By serving as a filler, lava rocks are a convenient, cost-effective way to reduce the amount of fire glass you need to buy. This is a hugely helpful money-saver if you’re the owner of a large or deep fire pit. As long as you have 1” to 2” of fire glass over your lava rocks, and the lava rocks are no longer visible, you’re golden. If you don’t have lava rocks and you have a large and deep fire pit to fill, try purchasing some pebble stones from your local Home Depot or Lowe’s. These make a great filler at a low cost.

8. What type of fire glass should I buy?

The answer to this depends on what look you’re trying to achieve for your outdoor fire feature. There is no best fire glass, rather it’s a design choice. Do you want to add some glam and glitter? If so, go with the 1/2” reflective tempered fire glass. The reflective backing and smooth finish on the glass will give you the most luster and sparkle possible. Plus, the 1/2” reflective tempered fire glass is the most popular of all fire glass types, so you can’t go wrong with this choice.

If you prefer less flash, but still want some reflective accents to add visual interest to your fire feature, we recommend the crushed fire glass (1/2” to 3/4″). Crushed fire glass will allow you to infuse your fire feature with some lovely color, which will reflect some of the flamelight on nice gravel-shaped fire glass pieces.

Another thing to consider when choosing your fire glass is that tempered fire glass may have some sharp edges. Why? While tumbling is a common safety measure with many brands of fire glass, tumbling actually dulls the surface of the glass (creating a “frosted” look) and causes it to lose some of its reflectivity. That means, to ensure maximum luster, you want to choose tempered fire glass, which isn’t tumbled. Un-tumbled, tempered fire glass provides a stunning amount of light reflection and will definitely take your fire feature to a new aesthetic level. But given its sharp edges, tempered fire glass may not be the best choice in homes with small children. If you do use it, take care to keep the ground free of stray pieces so that no one steps on them.

If you’re searching for a fire glass variety with fewer sharp edges, try crushed fire glass, whose pieces have a natural, gravel-like shape. Fire glass diamonds are also another great choice. Featuring a zircon shape with rounded edges, this type of fire glass delivers incomparable radiance with an added measure of safety for your peace of mind. It eliminates the traditional sharp edges that can be worrisome around small kids and household pets.

9. What color fire glass should I buy?

Fire glass color is very subjective, depending upon your personal preferences, your outdoor / backyard décor (e.g. style and color of your patio furniture) and the mood and feel you’re trying to achieve in your backyard space. Lighter colors offer superior luminosity and evoke an elegant, chic feel. Earthy colors provide a warm, rustic look (think cozy autumn evenings!). Rich, deep or vibrant colors can lend a contemporary feel to your fire feature. We did a bit deeper into what’s the best fire glass color in our article What Color Fire Glass Should I Use.

Here’s some color guidance to get your wheels turning:

• If you want a blue color, we recommend Meridian Blue (1/2″ tempered fire glass) or Cobalt Blue (crushed fire glass).
• For a sparkly, silver look, go with the 1/2” Reflective Tempered Fire Glass in Diamond Starlight color.
• For a bold, black shade, choose 1/2″ Reflective Tempered Fire Glass in Dark Matter Black color. This is a true black color, not the very dark gray that is commonly sold at lower prices online.
• For a clear, diamond-like appearance, the 1/2″ Tempered Fire Glass in Diamond Starlight (clear aquarium grade glass without the silver reflective backing) is the perfect choice.

There are many exciting colors to choose from, which is why fire glass is so popular. The four colors recommended here are top customer favorites—as well as ours!

Know what else is awesome? You can get creative and mix different colors of fire glass to create your own unique look, whether you want to blend two shades or four. What’s more, you can change your fire glass shades with the season. For example: Sunstorm Gold for fall, Diamond Starlight for winter, Neptune Blue for spring and Tropical Blue for summer. Fire glass from Celestial Fire Glass which comes in plastic jugs (versus flimsy plastic bags that break spill) is easy to store.

Fun fact: If you find you have some fire glass left over after filling your fire pit, try using it to add a splash of color and shimmer to your water feature or in decorative vases and bowls.

Here are a few of our favorite colors of fire glass:

Need some inspiration? Check out our Gallery of Projects and prepare to be astounded!

10. Will the fire glass require a lot of cleaning and maintenance?

That’s one of the wonderful things about fire glass: it’s relatively maintenance-free if properly cared for. If it’s used in an indoor gas fireplace, there really isn’t any cleaning or maintenance required. You get all the beauty, without the work!

If fire glass is used outdoors, maintenance depends on many factors. First, there are three common things that cause outdoor fire glass to become dirty: bird droppings, leaves and other types of natural debris and improper air mixture in propane gas. The first two of these depend on where you’re located; for example, in upstate New York you’re more likely to be affected by falling leaves, bird droppings and acorns than in Arizona. If you’re in an area with a lot of birds and trees, we recommend putting a stainless-steel cover over your fire pit when it’s not in use. This simple move will keep your glass free of bird droppings and leaves, pine needles, etc. and save you loads of time (and headaches).

The third cause, improper air mixture with propane gas, can be fixed in several ways. In fact, we have an article to help you troubleshoot and fix this problem.

If you ever do need to clean your fire glass, don’t despair. It’s easy to clean any type of fire glass using items you probably already have around your house—and it comes out looking sparkling-clean and brand new. See detailed cleaning instructions here.

11. I rent my home. Can I take my fire glass with me when I move out?

Yes! It’s easy to scoop out fire glass from one fire pit and place it in another one—especially if your fire glass came in a sturdy plastic jug (great for storage and transport).

Congratulations! If you made it to the end of this article, you’ve graduated from Fire Glass 101. Now you’re ready to start shopping to create the backyard fire pit of your dreams.