Gas Vs Wood Fireplace

Homeowners continue to bring warmth into their homes by investing in gas and wood-burning fireplaces. But, which fireplace is better suited for your specific needs? This article will go over the costs, pros, and cons of both units.

Cost Of Gas And Wood-Burning Fireplaces

Gas fireplaces are an enticing and energy-efficient way of heating up a room in your home. Gas fireplaces are installed easier than other alternatives and usually cost less to run, which makes them great retrofit for homeowners who desire a fireplace in a room that doesn’t have one existing.

There is certainly a difference in total cost between gas and wood-burning fireplaces. Brick wood-burning fireplaces can cost a total of $5,500-$11,000, not including installation, according to Fixr. Installation charges can range anywhere from $2,500-$10,000 for wood-burning units. Pre-built gas fireplaces are considerably cheaper, ranging from $1,500-$3,000, for the unit alone. Common installation charges will come out to about $2,000, on average. Overall, a homeowner will likely pay a total of $3,650-$7,800 in the U.S. in 2021.

Wood-Burning Fireplace Cost Breakdown:

• Labor and materials: $5,500-$11,000
• Installation: $2,500-$10,000
• New firebox: $500-$1,000
• Total cost: $8,500-$22,000

Gas Fireplace Cost Breakdown:

• Labor and materials: $1,500-$3,000
• Installation: $1,500-$3,000
• Gas exhaust pipe: $500-$1,000
• Total cost: $3,650-$7,800

Gas Vs Wood-Burning Fireplace Comparison

Here is a look at costs and benefits of both gas and wood-burning fireplaces:

Gas Pros

• $3,650 – $7,800
• Produces real flames
• Low maintenance
• Warms room efficiently
• Moderate costs to run

Gas Cons

• Glass doors will get hot
• Gas line is required
• Won’t blend into the room’s design

Wood-Burning Pros

• $8,500 – $22,000
• Produces real flames
• Warms room efficiently
• Moderate costs to run

Wood-Burning Cons

• Can produce some smoke
• Harder to install
• Costs more than gas fireplaces

Fireplace Appearance

It’s nearly impossible to mistake a gas fireplace for any sort of traditional wood-burning unit, but there is a wide range of designs that both models can come in. If you are looking for the closest look to an authentic fireplace, you can’t beat a gas model. A gas fireplace will actually produce the flame and come as close as possible to replicating a wood-burning fireplace.

A wood-burning unit will undoubtedly give you a sense of peace, providing the perfect backdrop of comfort in the living room or on the patio. The added wood box for storage can even add some elegance to the room.

Energy-Efficient

Of course, energy-efficiency is a main concern for many homeowners looking at fireplace models. Between these two versions, there is definitely a big difference in efficiency. Traditional wood-burning units are inefficient for heating a room, and can actually have a negative efficiency when the room is poorly insulated.

If efficiency is of the upmost importance to you, then it is suggested to choose a gas fireplace. One-pipe vents offer a 50% efficiency, with the two-pipe vent offering up to a 70% efficiency rating.

Required Maintenance

Without a doubt, wood-burning units are much more challenging to maintain. Cleaning, removing ashes and logs will  take up your time, frequently. Gas fireplaces require considerably less general maintenance for homeowners. Check valves from time to time, just to make sure they are running properly.