Fireplace Comparison: Wood vs. Gas

Whether you like to sip your coffee by the fire on a Saturday morning or drink a glass of scotch by the fire on a relaxing Friday night, a fireplace is a must-have in the home.

Fireplaces are one of the most requested features amongst home buyers since they provide warmth, are aesthetically pleasing, and give a sense of comfort and nostalgia. 

If your home does not have a fireplace and you’re planning on having one installed, you may be hung up on what type to choose. Wood burning is the classic choice, but gas is another excellent option. Which to choose depends on what features you’re looking for.

Let’s compare some of the most requested and asked about qualities of a fireplace to help you narrow down your choice.

Energy Efficiency

If efficiency is important to you, you’ll want to go with a gas fireplace. Wood-burning fires are surprisingly inefficient in heating a room, especially one that does not have adequate insulation.

Plus, with a gas fireplace, you don’t have the possibility of smoke getting into your home like you do with a wood fireplace.

Wood vs. Gas Costs

If price is the determining factor in your fireplace purchase and installation, gas is, once again, the way to go. A brick wood-burning fireplace is much more challenging to install. The fireplace itself can cost over $8,500, and then you would have to pay for installation on top of that. 

The price of a gas fireplace varies based on size and complexity, but you’ll probably be looking more in the neighborhood of $3,500 plus installation. Along with the cost of installing the fireplace itself, you’ll need an exhaust pipe installed for venting.

Fireplace Maintenance

Gas wins this round too. Wood fireplaces require far more maintenance than their gas counterparts.

With a gas fireplace, there is no ash or soot to clean up. With a wood fireplace, you’ll also have to have the chimney swept to prevent creosote build-up, which could cause a fire.

Gas fireplaces aren’t as high maintenance as wood fireplaces, but they need to be inspected and cleaned each year. Doing so will keep the unit working correctly and efficiently.

Safety

If you have small children or pets in the home, safety is something that you are likely concerned with. Most modern gas fireplaces are cool to the touch, so you don’t need to worry about accidental burns.

Something else to consider is that smoke can enter the home with a wood-burning fireplace, and failing to keep up with maintenance could result in a house fire.

The Crackling Fire Factor

Even though all arguments tend to point to a gas fireplace, you may still be considering getting a wood-burning one.

We get it. There’s nothing like the look of the flame that comes from burning wood. Cozying up in front of a crackling wood fire. Hanging your Christmas stockings on the mantle that’s above a wood-burning fireplace. The smell, the ambiance, the experience. These are all things a gas fireplace can’t do.

For many people, all the practical reasons in the world are not enough to replace the comfy feeling that a wood fireplace provides. And if you keep up with maintenance, they’re perfectly safe and functional.

Whichever route you choose, we are here to help. We can help with design choices and installation. So, let’s get started so you won’t have to spend the winter without the sparkle of a fire in your living room.