Whether you're building a new fireplace or converting an existing one, the wood-versus-gas decision affects everything from your chimney's liner requirements to your annual maintenance routine.
Wood-burning fireplaces
Nothing quite replicates the ambiance, sound, and radiant heat of a real wood fire. Wood burning does require more upkeep: annual cleaning to manage creosote, seasoned firewood storage, and more frequent inspections. In exchange, you get a self-sufficient heat source that works even during a power outage.
Gas fireplaces
Gas fireplaces offer push-button convenience, consistent heat output, and dramatically less maintenance — no ash, no creosote buildup, no wood storage. They do require a properly sized liner and annual inspection to check the venting system, gas connections, and pilot assembly.
Cost considerations
- Wood: lower fuel cost if you have access to firewood, higher annual maintenance
- Gas: consistent utility cost, lower maintenance, higher upfront conversion cost
- Both: liner condition significantly affects efficiency and safety regardless of fuel type
Converting from wood to gas
Many homeowners convert existing wood-burning fireplaces to gas for convenience. This requires a liner sized specifically for gas appliances — using an oversized wood liner with a gas insert reduces efficiency and can cause condensation issues inside the flue.
There's no universally right answer — it comes down to how you actually want to live with your fireplace. We're happy to walk through the tradeoffs during an inspection and give you a straight recommendation.