A fireplace in the home is both invitingly beautiful and comfortable. Long winter nights here in Montana can be enjoyed in front of a warm blazing fire. And today’s modern homeowner has multiple options to choose from when considering either the purchase of a new fireplace, or the replacement of one.
While technically there are many different types of fireplaces today (There are even options like electrical fireplaces which have a certain inherent beauty and warmth to them, and can be easily purchased at almost any big box-type store today) for the purposes of this article, we’re only going to be considering both the wood burning and the gas fireplace.
Wood burning fireplaces and wood burning stoves are classic and can conjure a bit of nostalgia for many. There are pros and cons to this type of fireplace, with the major con being that a wood burning fireplace needs a chimney for venting, so, if your home doesn’t have a chimney already in place, the cost to build one will be considerable.
Also, wood is not a readily available resource and you will either have to go somewhere to purchase it, or you will have to gather it yourself with a permit. But to use wood as a fuel source is also a pro, considering that wood gathered legally with a permit can also be considered free.
A wood burning stove insert into an old fireplace box is also another option. Also, wood burning stoves can be placed in most areas of the home, and don’t require a full-scale chimney for venting. Also, the wood burning fireplace will require more maintenance than the gas fireplace, and this maintenance should be performed by a professional.
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Gas Fireplaces are becoming the norm, and for a good reason: the fuel source is already active in most any new home. Connect to the gas line with the fireplace and you’re up and running. Gas inserts have become common additions to homes with older fireplace boxes; this allows the homeowner to keep the charm of the original fireplace. A major pro to a gas fireplace is that it does not require a full-scale chimney for venting.
Our recommendation is to consider the type of fuel that most makes sense for you to burn. If you don’t want the hassle of wood, go with the gas fireplace. However, if you would like the gravitas of wood crackling on a winter’s night, then choose the wood burning fireplace.