Looking for a way to protect your firepit from the elements? Well, look no further than this easy DIY firepit tabletop cover! Made with just a few simple materials, this project can be completed for under $30.
Summer is on the way, and it’s time to start enjoying your outdoor space.
I love spending time right in my own backyard with my family and friends.
Our patio is one of our favorite spots.
We have two seating areas on the patio, a pergola with a comfy sectional, and a fire pit with four Adirondack chairs around it.
Today I’m going to share how to create a tabletop cover for your firepit using affordable fence pickets.
Yup, you heard me right…fence pickets!
If you have enough scrap wood left from a previous project you could use that instead and save even more money.
Wait until you see how easy it is to give your outdoor fireplace a stylish upgrade and also make your firepit more functional for entertaining guests or relaxing with family.
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Why Do You Need a Backyard Firepit Cover
We built this firepit years ago and we really enjoy using it on cooler evenings during the summer.
It’s an easy DIY project that can be done in a day with some supplies from the home improvement store.
But that’s a blog post for another time.
Let’s get back to why you need a cover for a firepit.
First of all, do you see how rusty our metal fire ring inside the stone blocks is?
If I had built this top years ago it may not have rusted as quickly because it would have been protected from the elements.
The other thing to consider is the mess in the firepit that needs to be cleaned out every time you use it or after the winter.
Leaves, ashes, and even an occasional weed all clutter the inside.
By creating a tabletop lid, you’ll not only solve these issues but also add aesthetic appeal to your firepit.
To make this DIY project even more appealing, it’s super affordable and easy to execute.
With just a few supplies and a couple of hours, you can have a functional and stylish tabletop cover that will make your outdoor gatherings even more enjoyable.
So, let’s take a look at the supplies you’ll need to create your firepit tabletop.
What Supplies Do You Need to Make a Wood Firepit Top
To fully enjoy summer evenings by the firepit, having a tabletop cover would be amazing since we don’t often build fires with the heat in North Carolina at that time of year.
With this simple DIY project, you can create a functional and stylish tabletop using affordable fence pickets.
Supply List:
- fence pickets (I used 8 – 5/8-in x 5-1/2-in x 6-ft pickets to build a 44″ cover)
- jigsaw
- circular saw
- orbital sander or sandpaper
- hammer or Brad nailer
- drill or screwdriver
- paint or stain
- tape measure
- pencil
- string or twine
- handles
By having these supplies ready, you can easily follow my step-by-step instructions and create a tabletop cover for your firepit in no time.
How to Make a Tabletop Lid for a Round Outdoor Firepit
To create your own tabletop cover for your firepit, follow these easy step-by-step instructions.
Step 1: Measure and Create a Circle with Fence Pickets
How do you create a huge circle out of straight pieces of wood?
I have a simple way to accomplish this task using a piece of string or twine.
First, measure your firepit to determine the size you need to make your tabletop cover.
Next, lay out all of your fence pickets side by side (make sure they’re pushed together tightly).
My fence pickets were 5/8-in x 5-1/2-in x 6-ft.
Then, hammer a nail in the middle of your fence pickets and tie a piece of string to the nail.
Measure from the nail to the end of the string that you just tied onto the nail and cut it at the length you need.
My firepit cover is 44″ so I cut the string at 22″.
Now you have a giant protractor which is the best tool to create a perfect circle.
Just take a pencil and pull the string tight while going around marking your circle.
Step 2: Attach Front Support Wood Strips
Once your circle is drawn across your fence pickets you’ll need to attach them together.
I cut another picket in half and used them to make supports and join all of the pieces of wood together.
Using a brad nailer made fast work of this step but you can also use a hammer and nails if you don’t have a nail gun.
These supports will be on the top of the cover since they go from one edge of the circle to the opposite edge.
Don’t worry I’ll show you how to make supports for the bottom of the cover too.
Step 3: Cut Round Cover with Jigsaw
Since I’m making a round tabletop cover for our round firepit I needed to cut it out using a jigsaw.
I just followed the pattern I made to cut off all the excess pieces from the wood fence pickets.
If you haven’t used a jigsaw before it’s really easy to use I promise…if I can do it so can you!
Step 4: Make Support Brackets for Back of Tabletop
I decided to make supports for both the front and the back of our cover.
As I said before the front supports run across the entire circle so they have to be on the top.
The diameter of the inner metal fire ring is smaller than the diameter of the firepit including the stone therefore the support on the back can’t be as wide as the entire firepit.
And since the front supports will have handles attached to them, I was afraid they may become loose over time as we lift the cover off the firepit.
Additional wood supports on the back of the cover will ensure the entire tabletop is sturdy.
For this step, I took the actual fire ring off of our firepit to make sure I cut the wood pieces accurately.
I used three scrap pieces of the pickets and cut them with a circular saw to fit inside the ring then attached them to the cover.
Step 5: Sand Wood Tabletop Lid
Once the tabletop cover was assembled I used an orbit sander to get all the wood nice and smooth.
The great thing about using fence pickets is the budget-friendly cost but the negative is that the wood is a bit rough.
Nothing that a good sanding can’t take care of though!
Step 6: Stain or Paint Firepit Top
After I finished sanding the wood and wiping the cover down with a rag to get rid of any sawdust I stained it.
To save money I used a leftover stain that I had from previous projects.
First, I stained the wood with Minwax Provincial and then I went over it with Valspar in Cedar Natural Tone.
I figured since the Valspar was a stain and sealer in one and I already had it here at home, it would protect the cover without having to buy a separate sealer.
Another alternative to staining your firepit cover would be to paint it.
Step 7: Attach Hardware to Outdoor Firepit Tabletop Cover
I bought these inexpensive screen door handles to use on my DIY outdoor firepit tabletop cover.
Since these handles are made to be used on doors they’d be a good option for an outdoor fireplace cover too.
If you’re feeling creative, consider adding a design or pattern to the surface of the cover.
You can use stencils or freehand your design for a unique touch.
Benefits of a DIY Firepit Tabletop Cover
A cover will protect your firepit from the elements, particularly rain, which can cause rust and corrosion over time.
Additionally, covering your firepit when it’s not in use can prevent debris from accumulating inside, making it easier to clean and maintain.
A DIY outdoor firepit tabletop cover can also serve a decorative purpose, adding an extra touch of style to your outdoor space.
Another advantage of using a tabletop cover is the added functionality it provides with a convenient surface for drinks and snacks during gatherings.
With just a few hours of your time, you can transform your firepit into a functional and stylish focal point of your outdoor space.
So why wait?
Gather your supplies and start building your firepit tabletop cover today!
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Sources: wood fence pickets | black outdoor handles | Minwax stain | Valspar stain and sealer | circular saw | jigsaw | tape measure | Brad nailer | orbit sander | drill/driver
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