What You Need to Know Before Buying

Before thinking about cost or appearance, here are seven questions you’ll want to answer before choosing and installing your new gas fireplace.

Then, you can find the gas fireplace that’s best for you and your home.
Learn about the six fireplace brands B&C installs.

Narrow Your Fireplace Options in These 7 Steps

1. Does your house have natural gas or propane?

And as a follow-up, if you do have gas available, is it already piped to the area in your house where the fireplace will be? If not, you may require gas piping as part of the installation.

2. What are the limits of your dimensions?

You’ll probably need help getting the correct dimensions. It’s not as simple as measuring the length and width of the opening. And the dimensions are the greatest limitation on which new gas fireplaces you’ll be able to choose from. Don’t get your heart set on something that won’t fit in your house!

If it’s an insert, there is a size limitation based on the space within the brick and mortar. The same is true if it’s an already-existing wall mounted zero clearance fireplace you want to replace.

3. B-vent or direct vent?

B-vent means the fireplace pulls air from inside the house. Direct vent means it pulls from the outside. B-vents have a few drawbacks, such as not getting as good a draw for venting. However, some homes are not set up to allow for direct vent. Make sure your home can accommodate the venting apparatus of the fireplace you select.

4. Will you be venting up or sideways?

Most people are switching over to direct vent these days, when possible. But another question is, does your home vent upwards or sideways? Some homes are set up only for sideways venting, and others can only vent straight up. Some gas fireplaces can do both. Others can only do one or the other. So again – you’ll need to know what your home is built to accommodate.

Like the dimensions, your home’s existing venting setup will limit your options (unless of course you’re willing to spend bigger and do a wall-smashing, house-gutting remodel).

5. Insert or zero clearance?

An ‘insert’ is a fireplace that fits within a traditional wood fireplace – the typical brick or mortar ‘chimney’ version. The new gas fireplace gets inserted into the place where wood burned in the old version.

A zero clearance fireplace can be mounted within a wall or be surrounded by wood paneling.

6. Do you want a new gas fireplace mainly for heat, or for appearance?

If you want heat, then more BTUs will be a factor in your decision. More BTUs usually means a larger unit. If simply having a fire to look at is your main interest, then you’ll probably want to look for a unit with a larger glass face you can see through.

Knowing your main reason for needing a new fireplace helps you narrow down your choices, and will save you unnecessary costs.

7. What are your preferences for aesthetics?

What style of logs do you want? How much temperature control do you want, and do you want this to be by remote control, a wall mounted unit, or both?

Be aware again that all these sorts of things have limited options. Oftentimes the unit you like will only have one or maybe two options for logs. Some are not compatible with certain fireplace accessories like temperature control.

Need new fake logs or want to adjust your current ones? Read this blog before you touch anything!

Expert Guidance to Help Navigate Your New Gas Fireplace Decisions

B&C helps you work through all this in a friendly, casual conversation. We’ll come help you figure out what kind of gas fireplace system your home can accommodate.

Then, you’ll be ready to start looking at styles, colors, and prices.

When you’re ready for your new gas fireplace to be installed, B&C installs six different brands. And remember – if you want us to install it, you must order it through us. Otherwise we cannot insure it with our service warranty.

Take a look at the six brands of gas fireplaces we install.

Considering An Outdoor Fireplace or Firepit?

We install these too. Check out Firegear Outdoors for the models we certify and install.

Schedule my free fireplace installation consultation