FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

CAN I USE YOUR FIREPITS/FIREPLACES ON A WOODEN DECK?
YES, but only if you put them on a non flammable surface such as pavers. Preferably though they are meant for concrete, paving or gravel. If on grass we suggest on top of pavers as grass underneath will get scorched.

HOW ARE BRAY FIREPITS DIFFERENT?
You get what you pay for, most off the shelf fire pits are extremely thin and often only mild steel not corten which will continue to rust until it rusts apart! Bray Design always use corten steel.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO START A BRAY FIREPIT?
We suggest using fire lighters as they are much less smokey than paper or leaves. Firelighters such as Beehive or Samba.

WILL THE FIRE PIT/LETTERBOX/PLANTER STAIN THE SURROUNDING AREA?
The Corten steel will have run off from the rain and the resulting rust patina can stain concrete or other the area on which it sits until the patina has finished oxidising. Suggestions can be to place on concrete pavers, sheet of fiber cement board or optional galvanised drip tray.

WHAT ABOUT FINISHES TO PRESERVE THE RUST?
Corten weathering steel is designed to oxidise to form a protective layer of rust. If you want to "lock in" a particular stage of rusting, this can be prolonged by using a clear polyurethane finish or the like but it will require regular upkeep. We recommend to just let them weather in their original state.

WHAT ABOUT ACCESSORIES?
We can make steel grills for using your fire pit for cooking or grilling. Wooden lids for our fire pits from Kwila or Mahogany enabling them to double as tables.

HOW DO I PAY?
We accept all major credit and debit cards via our secure online store. GST is included on all orders and payments are processed via stripe. Or email us directly at braydesignnz@gmail.com and we can advise payment via direct deposit NZ bank transfer.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET MY FIRE PIT, LETTERBOX OR PLANTER?
This depends on the design. As all products are handmade and often custom sometimes there is design work involved. Normal lead times for stock items are a next day or between 5 days to 2 weeks for one offs. Please note: due to Covid-19 within NZ and globally we are experiencing some material supply issues we can create delays in shipping out products. These issues can be random affecting one order but not another several weeks later.

HOW IS IT DELIVERED?
Products can either be picked up from our workshop in West Auckland! Tauranga or we arrange nationwide delivery via Owens or Streamline freight.

WHAT ABOUT RETURNS?
Does not cover over-stoking or misuse. This covers damaged or defective products only. If so we would repair and re send if that was the customers wish, obviously at our expense although these robust products are always checked before they are sent. Firepits are designed to safely contain a small fire relative to the size of the firepit, not loaded above 50%.

ARE THEY ALL NZ MADE?
Yep, right here in West Auckland! Tauranga

DO YOU HAVE TO BUILD THE FIRE PIT?
Most designs come pre made but watch this space for our latest design which comes ready for you to assemble and can then be disassembled for easy storage or moving. These come with full easy to use instructions.

WHAT ABOUT MAINTENANCE?
All Bray Design products are made from thick corten steel which responds to the elements by developing a reactive patina as a protective barrier, self-sealing to beautifully preserve its integrity. We suggest firepits are cleaned out after each use so that any moisture is not held in the ashes. Letterboxes to have their hinges oiled or sprayed with CRC or similar a couple times per year. Wooden firepit lids can be treated like an outdoor deck and stained or polyurethaned periodically.

HOW LONG WILL MY BRAYDESIGN LAST?
Because of the thick Corten weathering steel we use, your braydesign will last a lifetime.
(Corten steel will rust until it weathers and develops a protective patina)

HOW STABLE ARE THE FIRE PITS?
Our Fire Pits are VERY stable when plaed on a flat surface. They are designed to be as safe as possible so they won’t tip. Upright fires come with holes to enable fixing to the ground (fixings not supplied).

WHAT IS THE WEIGHT?
Our firepits range from approx 30kg up to 150kgs. Weights are on the individual product pages. Custom products, a weight can be provided on request.

DO YOU OFFER CUSTOM WORK?
Absolutely, Bray Design was built on custom work. We have done many projects and one offs from full landscape projects to special planters to wacky firepits! Just email us what you had in mind and we will make it a reality.