Wood, Gas or Electric

Even in a spacious living area with vaulted ceilings, a fireplace provides a grounding focal point. Traditional and other fireplaces serve that purpose. photo by abezikus / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Fireplaces are inviting and purposeful. They not only keep us warm on chilly evenings but become a natural focal point in any room. With numerous types of fireplaces, it’s vital to assess your needs before purchasing a new one. Whether adding a fireplace to new construction or an existing house, the range of options is dazzling, trending from sleek, linear models to traditional mantel designs.

“My first question whenever I consult with someone about them wanting a fireplace is what do they want?” said Jay Walker, president of Jay Walker Enterprises Inc., in Tallahassee. “Are they looking for efficiency and heat, or are they looking mainly for atmosphere? The next step is figuring out if they are more of a traditional type fireplace person with a log, whether that be gas logs or wood burning, or if they want something more contemporary with a linear type fireplace that has glass or similar features.”

Gas fireplace styles have trended toward long and slim. They don’t produce ashes or smoke and lend themselves to remote-control operation. photo by irina88w / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Gas fireplaces

If you’re looking for a fireplace that involves minimal mess, a gas type could be just the ticket. It doesn’t produce smoke or ash and includes convenient features such as remote-control operation, a timer and a thermostat. Some are even Wi-Fi connected, so you can start the heating on your commute home from the office and walk into a perfectly heated home.

Walker, whose business specializes in fireplace maintenance, sales and installation, says that gas fireplaces have become a major trend in North Florida. Styles include long and slim modern designs. However, if traditional is more your style, a gas fireplace fits well into a classic mantel. For both options, you’ll need access to natural or bottled gas.

“When people get older, they get tired of clearing ashes, chopping wood and having to build a fire,” Walker said. “With a gas log, you can sit back, turn a switch on and have an instant fire.”

There are different ways to vent a gas fireplace, Walker explained. Flues can run up, down or sideways, which makes these fireplaces suitable for most property types, including apartments and townhouses. Vent-free gas fireplaces are also available. They are highly heat-efficient, but Walker warns that they can produce small amounts of particulates that may irritate respiratory issues if burned for long periods of time. 

For some, a gas or electric fireplace is to a wood-burner as a wave pool is to the Gulf of Mexico. Make your own firewood, the saying goes, and you will be warmed twice. Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus: Pete Bemmer

Wood burners

It’s hard to beat a wood-burning fireplace. The flickering flames are amorous, and a natural fire is perfect for roasting marshmallows. However, it requires a fair amount of work and maintenance, including gathering wood logs, lighting the fire, cleaning out ash and chimney sweeping.

There are built-in types with intricate masonry, modular masonry and zero-clearance models. Zero-clearance designs are pre-manufactured models that can be installed directly against combustible materials, including wood and paneling. Zero-clearance models have become quite popular, noted Tona Mast, manager at Capital City Fireplace & Grill, due to their elegant design and because they can be easily retrofitted to heat the entire house.

In addition, free-standing fireplaces range from traditional country-style stoves to sleek, contemporary designs, such as pod styles, that serve as functional art. They can be installed in any room but should be mindfully kept away from kids and pets to avoid collisions or burns.

↑ Electric fireplaces have unique advantages — they don’t require a flue and they are highly portable. Their popularity has spiked recently. Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus: Hikesterson

Electric fireplaces

Photo by iStock / Getty Images Plus: Diane39

Electric fireplaces are the ideal option if you don’t want the hassle of a flue and hope to take your fireplace with you should you move. Mast has seen a huge spike in the popularity of electric fireplaces among Tallahassee residents. She said these designs have undergone vast improvements and look entirely different from a few years ago. 

“They are starting to look so real,” she said. “They look fantastic, believe it or not. They’ve done a very good job, and they also make them energy efficient, so they’re not gobbling up the electricity.

“The beauty of the electrics is you can still have the aesthetics of having a fireplace going, but you can shut the heating apparatus off and use it on a year-round basis. It can be 100 degrees outside, but if you want the fireplace going in the background to look pretty, you can turn the heat off and still run it.”