When choosing a fireplace, you will be faced with certain options which will include choosing between a gas or wood fireplace. To know which of these two is the best fit for your home, you will need to compare them side-by-side. This will require you to look at their features, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.
A lot of folks believe that natural gas fires are better than wood fires. However, nothing can convince you better than carrying out a comparison for yourself.
This is why we have prepared this article to help you see the pros and cons of the two options- so you can make informed decisions. You can also look at some of the Watson’s gas fireplaces to see some of the features you can expect to find.
Gas vs Wood Fireplaces
To give you a head start, we have prepared a table to show the features of the two options. This will help you compare them side by side.
Here’s what you should know about gas and wood fireplaces
| Features | Gas | Wood |
| Good for decor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Increases home value | ✓ | ✓ |
| Less installation cost | × | ✓ |
| Energy Efficiency | ✓ | × |
| Less utility cost | ✓ | ✓ |
| Easy to use | ✓ | ✓ |
| Environmental friendly | ✓ | × |
| Low maintenance | ✓ | × |
From the comparison, gas fireplace offer more exciting features compared to wood. However, is that enough to make them the best? Are there other things you should know before choosing?
We highlight the pros and cons of the two below. This will help create a better mental picture and assist in your decision-making.
Advantages of Gas Fireplace
Gas fireplaces are easy to maintain. They have no logs or chimneys, so there’s no need for an outside heat source.
You can install them in any room of your house, regardless of their size—they’ll work just as well in a bathroom as in an open living area.
This option is also highly portable. It doesn’t require any special installation equipment. All you need is some space for it on the floor or wall directly above eye level (you’ll have plenty of room if you install one near an existing window).
This makes them ideal for renters who want their homes’ interiors updated without worrying about moving furniture around too much. You can watch this video to learn more about installing a gas fireplace.
Another key benefit of this option is their environmental friendliness. Most places in the world (including businesses) are joining the movement to reduce carbon emissions. And guess one of the major sources of CO2? Wood burning!
Using gas as an alternative can help reduce carbon footprint. They burn LP or natural gases that release less emission. This way, we preserve our environment from pollution.
Also, they do not use electricity to operate. Therefore, you spend less during the winter compared to using electricity.
Disadvantages of Gas Fireplace
Gas fireplaces are more expensive than their wood counterparts. The average cost of installing one is between $2,000 and $5,000. This depends on your location and the size of the space heated with the appliance. For instance, you pay more when you’re installing an apartment-sized unit or large commercial space.
Also, they require regular maintenance throughout their lifespan so that they can run efficiently without causing damage.
Advantages of Wood Fireplace
Wood is a natural insulator. Using it would be better than burning other types of fuel or gas. This is because it has a higher heat capacity and will protect your home from heat loss during the winter months.
Wood hearths are less expensive to install compared to gas alternatives. You can spend between $1000 and $2000 to install one. Or even do it yourself.
Finding wood to refill your fireplace is easier and cheaper compared to gas. You can get it from a dealer or use the ones around you.
Also, they have a better aesthetics than gas fires and might fit well as an interior décor element.
Disadvantages of Wood Fireplace
This option is not as efficient as a gas fireplace. They are more likely to catch fire and emit smoke, which can be dangerous if you have young children or pets in the home.
Fire places that use wood can also emit carbon dioxide (CO2), which is harmful to the environment and could cause respiratory problems. They could be dangerous if you or your family member suffers asthma or other breathing difficulties. You can click on https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/. to read more about the dangers of CO2.
Conclusion
Gas is cheaper to install. But it’s more expensive to maintain because there are no moving parts. If you decide to go with a gas model, be sure it’s rated for durability and ease of cleaning (both very vital features).
A wood-burning fireplace costs less upfront but requires more maintenance over time due to the nature of its design. The chimney needs constant cleaning, which means spending money on supplies like brushes and soot removers.
You can settle for a gas fire if you need a more consistent heat source. However, wood fires might be your best bet if you prefer the look of wood flames and need something less expensive.
