Direct-vent gas stoves and fireplaces are among the most flexible options available to homeowners today. The position of your existing chimney no longer dictates where you can add a new fireplace. The only structural alteration needed to install direct-vent fireplaces is a small hole in an external wall, venting exhaust directly to the outside. The same vent draws fresh air from the outside for combustion rather than pulling warm air out of your home. Lightweight direct-vent models can be installed without additional structural support as easily on the third floor as on the first.
Ceramic logs add to the authentic look of the gas fires while radiating heat into the room.
For less maintenance and cleaner emissions in the areas with strict air quality control guidelines, many existing wood burning fireplaces can be retrofitted to natural gas with little fuss or expense. Discuss the installation carefully with a hearth products expert first, as retrofitting must be properly performed to ensure safety. If you are concerned about fuel efficiency but unwilling to sacrifice the crackling blaze of wood, consider a fireplace insert. These attractive, insulated metal fireboxes increase wood fuel efficiency by as much as 750 percent. Metal factory-built fireplaces also offer versatility at a fraction of the cost of building a masonry hearth.