Gas Vs. Log Fireplace

Gas Fireplaces

• Gas fireplaces are "fueled" by natural gas or propane, purchased from the city or municipal gas provider or a company that resells propane gas. Gas fireplaces are sold as insert units, which are located against a wall, in a corner or even in the middle of a room. Most fireplaces in high-rise buildings, such as apartments and condos, use gas. Gas fireplaces are more versatile because they do not require a chimney to ventilate smoke. Units can be vent-less or vent-free. Vented units are typically used in homes that convert from a wood-burning fireplace to a gas fireplace.

Log Fireplaces

• When people refer to a "log" fireplace they are referring to a wood-burning fireplace. These fireplaces require a chimney to ventilate the smoke. Log fireplaces are constructed with masonry surrounding the firebox insert because these materials can withstand the heat. Brick fireplaces are usually found in older homes or are custom-built for newer residences. Real wood logs are dried or "seasoned" to burn in fireplaces. Popular species include pine and hickory. Wood-burning fireplaces are not as "clean" or efficient in terms of energy use because burning wood emits smoke.

Similarities

• Gas and wood-burning fireplaces have quite a few similarities. They both turn a chilly room into one that's warm and comfortable. Both become a focal point in a room and a magnet to draw people to gather by the fire. They can be used in a grand mansion or a rustic one-room cabin in the woods. Each can be designed to incorporate surrounds and mantles made as simple or as ornate as an owner desires and can afford. And while wood-burning fireplaces use logs made of genuine wood, gas fireplaces have logs as well -- though they're made of artificial materials.

Differences

• Convenience, usage costs and structural feasibility are the core differences that distinguish gas fireplaces from wood log fireplaces. Gas fireplaces are more convenient -- at the turn of a dial the flame can ignite, and heat is virtually instantaneous. The opposite is true for wood-burning fireplaces. You have to situate the logs just so, get them to light and wait for the heat to build up. If you use a wood-burning fireplace frequently, the cost of replenishing logs by the bundle or by the cord can add up. A wood-burning fireplace is virtually an impossible dream for those who live in high-rise buildings. Wood-burning fireplaces require a chimney, and the draft would pose ongoing fire safety hazards. The safety downside and difference with gas is that an improperly operating unit could leak and emit colorless, odorless, toxic and potentially lethal doses of gas.