132 Fireplaces & Stoves

Wood, Gas or Electric – The Fireplace That’s Right For You

Fire has always been bleeding-edge technology and we’ve spent thousands of years attempting to harness it for our benefit. Today, fire is less essential for essential tasks like heating and cooking, and is now more commonly used as decoration. Fireplaces are still a much desired feature in colder climates and for exuding a sense of warmth and rusticity. New technology has meant that fireplaces no longer need to rely on wood and tinder to produce a flame, fire can now be harnessed within your home with the press of a button. We’ll take you through the different types of fireplaces, and how they can be implemented into your home design.

Wood

A staple for centuries, the humble wooden fireplace is the hallmark of homeliness. Cast your mind back to the days before technology, when a family gathered around the fireplace to enjoy each other’s company. This may not be the case for you, but the imagery that a wood fireplace manifests still adds to the ambiance. Wood fires, especially open ones, present more of a danger to users as opposed to gas or electric fireplaces. First of all, wood fires have to be manually lit, and should be supervised if burning. Wood fires can also release harmful particles in the smoke, which can negatively affect your health if breathed in. It is difficult as well to install a new wood fire place in a house without a chimney, the price of installation can be almost 50% of the total budget. However, if you value the atmosphere a wood fire brings to a space and you don’t mind a little labour, then a wood fireplace is ideal.

Gas

It is no secret that architects are big fans of gas fireplaces for their versatility and efficiency. Gas is a more efficient producer of heat than wood fuel, and requires little effort to light it. The main advantage, however, is there is no need for a chimney with gas fireplaces. Gas fireplaces can benefit from a direct vent, which are very efficient in retaining heat. Direct vents bring combustion air into the fire place outside while piping spent gases out. Unlike chimneys, these can go out a sidewall saving a lot of time and space installing a chimney. Gas fireplaces can also work in harmony with your other thermal regulating systems in the house, ensuring an even and consistent spread of heat.

Electric

Electric fireplaces are more of a projection of reality than a true fireplace. Although flames in gas fireplaces are usually chemically altered to achieve the perfect yellow and red flicker, flames in electric fireplaces are completely fabricated and give off no heat themselves. These types of fireplaces are suitable for low budgets or projects where it is simply too difficult to install ventilation. Another benefit of electric fireplaces is that since heat is independent of the flame effect, it can create an ambient setting all year round. 

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