Is a Gas Fireplace or Wood Fireplace Better?
A fireplace can be a great addition to your home. Not only can a fireplace help add warmth during the colder months of the year, it’s mere presence helps to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere in addition to helping to establish a focal point in your room’s interior design. However, once you’ve made the decision to have a new fireplace installed in your home, you’re going to have decide what kind of fireplace you want. There are two main types of fireplaces that you can choose from – a gas fireplace and a wood burning fireplace. The following are some of the advantages and disadvantages of both that you can compare to make the choice that best suits your needs:
The Advantages of Gas Fireplaces
If you already own a wood-burning fireplace, then you may not have to worry about completely overhauling it if you choose to convert it into a gas fireplace. A gas insert can either make use of a factory-produced insulated chimney or your existing chimney. Besides the ease of installation, gas fireplaces are also quite convenient – you can add features such as thermostat controls, shut-off timers and remote control operation. Unlike a wood-burning fireplace, you’ll be able to switch your gas fireplace on in an instant without having to wait for the fire to build up. Not to mention that there’s no soot or ash to clean up, which means you’ll have to do minimum maintenance. Last but not least, a gas fireplace will function even when your power is out.
The Disadvantages of Gas Fireplaces
While gas fireplaces are incredibly convenient, they do have a few drawbacks. A gas fireplace can be expensive to install initially. You may need to run a gas line, which can be an additional cost. The only other drawback is that some of the character of a real fire is lost. For some, no matter how pretty a gas fire can be, there is nothing to compare with a real wood fire.
The Advantages of Wood Burning Fireplaces
There’s something relaxing and casual about sitting around a wood fire – from the sounds you hear to the smell of the fire itself. Even the process of building the fire creates an experience that other fireplaces can’t replicate. It goes without saying that a wood burning fireplace can also operate during a power outage.
Disadvantages of Wood Burning Fireplaces
The biggest disadvantage of wood burning fireplaces is the work involved. You need to have wood available to burn and it can take a while to get the fire going – there’s no on/off switch. There’s also a bit of clean up involved – you’ll need to remove the ash the fire creates regularly.
Be sure to compare the advantages and disadvantages of gas fireplaces and wood burning fireplaces before you make your decision. For more information and advice about choosing a new fireplace, contact our team at Stamford Fireplaces today.
