A fireplace is a desirable, sometimes functional feature in any home. A fireplace helps give a home a warm classic look whether it’s lit or not.
Of course fireplaces where developed out of necessity back in the days when electric or gas heaters where not so readily available. Today in most homes a fireplace is an optional feature but one that is often desired.
The most obvious difference in fireplace types is whether it is wood-burning, gas, or electric. Most modern homes, especially those in urban areas are fitted with gas fireplaces which can also burn wood.
Wood-burning fireplaces are generally valued for their aesthetics, but create more pollution than gas-burning fireplaces and may be more expensive to operate and maintain. Generally speaking, wood-burning fireplaces make more sense in rural areas where the winters are colder and where wood is more convenient. For this reason a gas-burning fire place is more desirable in urban areas where wood in large quantities may not always be available and where there is more of an emphasis on pollution control.
Gas fireplaces burn natural gas instead of wood, and thus are cleaner and more efficient. Typically gas fireplaces are constructed to resemble and function much the same as traditional wood-burning fireplaces with a functional chimney. There are also other types of gas-fireplaces that allow for more flexibility in location choices because they are designed to be located near walls or other potentially combustible structures. Some free standing fireplaces can be located away from walls altogether. There are also fireplaces known as direct-vent or B-vent types that can be vented through an exterior wall without the need for a chimney. Also, unlike the wood-burning fireplace, with a gas-burning fireplace you can control the size of the flame which is a nice feature. Even with all it’s advantages gas-fireplaces still don’t offer the charm and aesthetics of the traditional wood-burner.
Just to be fair we must mention electric fireplaces. For those with a limited budget but who would still like the feeling of a fireplace in their home there are electric models that mimic the wood-burning fireplace. These electric models can be installed virtually anyplace that has access to a power outlet and is away from water. We won’t say much more about these because there are just too many models, features, and price ranges to be included here.