Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces from Van Zeeland are available in wood-burning and gas options, each with different maintenance needs and levels of control over the flame. Gas features light instantly and burn cleaner, while wood-burning features offer a more traditional fire and sound at the cost of more upkeep. Material choices, such as stone or brick, get matched to the surrounding patio or hardscape design. A consultation covers the tradeoffs between the two options based on how the feature will be used.

Gas fire pits and fireplaces typically involve additional permitting related to the gas line installation, which Van Zeeland's design team accounts for during the design phase, before construction begins. Wood-burning features generally involve fewer permitting and utility considerations. Handling this during design avoids delays once construction starts. A consultation covers what's needed for a specific property and feature type.

Fire pits and fireplaces are commonly built alongside a new patio or outdoor kitchen rather than as a standalone feature, sharing the same base work and design planning. Adding one to an already-existing patio depends on the current base, size, and whether gas service needs to be run to the area. Wood-burning options generally involve less added utility work than gas features in this scenario. This kind of layered planning is typical for larger design-build projects.