Its 18 inches on the outside from floor to top but thats only because there will be a flagstone floor that comes up about 3 inches. In the inside its 14 inches from the floor because there are 4 inch fire bricks on the bottom. There is a wood rack that sits on top of that, which brings the wood "off" the floor which is why most people have trouble because they try and stack the wood on the floor. This allow air to get "underneath" and around the sides of the wood. The wood rack elevates the wood another 3-4 inches, giving it a final height to the top of only about 10-12 inches. The wood rack was also "very hard" to find....and this is probably why most people are not using them. There are 4 mortar breather holes around the sides and there are 3 "drainage" aluminum tubes for water drainage and cleaning as well as air. I paid a ransom fee for the mortar. I contacted the vendor who just happen to tell me a landscaper bought a pallet of it because his mason was having the same problem. I called the guy and he started laughing at me. I said I'm looking for refactory mortar. His answer was "you and everybody else". Anyway, he charged me $80 for a 50lb bag. I forget to put this in my expenses--I guess I'm trying to forget. If he had been built locally they would have used standard mortar. Good for a few years until it all cracks off. Anyway, having talked with every landscaper and brick and mortar store and distributor here in Austin, I was able to get someone to carry it. Didn't help me, but the next person will be helped. Custom Stone Supply here in Round Rock now carries it and its closer to the $40-$50 price it normally goes for. She called me a few weeks ago after I was done to ask me if I wanted to buy it. They carry the indoor premix refactory mortar in a couple places but this is water soluable outside....so after a few rains, everything will come crumbling down.

It is not possible to grasp how all the things you speak about fit together. We see disconnected pictures of various areas. (And they are all showing up sideways for me. Try redoing them using a computer instead of phone.) In order to design landscape, or give advice on same, one needs to have a comprehensive understanding of the layout and organization. This is easiest to do in multiple, slightly overlapping pictures that are ALL TAKEN FROM THE SAME CAMERA LOCATION, by just panning from left to right. Best to stand at a single spot where you could see most, or all, of the things you talk about. Some of the things you say you're going to do (like getting rid of some of the Mexican Petunia hedge) you give no reason for doing. You describe ideas for creating a patio, but it is unclear what you mean so hard to say if your idea is great, or stinks. A walk that is "casual ... clean looking ... and no maintenance" sounds like concrete to me. You'd better put your ideas, as best you can, down on paper in a measured to scale plan so we can understand what you are thinking.

If you cant do both id go hot tub. The benefits of hot water therapy daily are life changing. Better sleep, imprived circulation, increased mobility, etc. Etc. I cant tell you how many customers come in and tell me how the hot tub literally changed their lives. If you look at it as a toy like a boat or a pool table....others are right the novelty will wear off and it will become a pain. But if you commit to using it and realize the good that it does for your body and mind and see it as a way to feel better abd live better, you might look back and see that it was one fo the best purchases you ever made. In saying that id definitey try to fit both, cuz fire pits are awesome!

Hello, Here's a DIY guide that may give you some ideas: https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/outdoors/structures/building-a-backyard-fire-pit