Which one sparks your interest?
The four main types of fireplaces are wood-burning, gas, electric, and ethanol, and each one offers different benefits for your home's heating and style needs.
Expect to pay $130 to $380 for professional chimney sweeping when you choose a wood-burning fireplace, which requires regular maintenance to keep your home safe.
Gas fireplaces give you instant flames with adjustable heat settings, while electric options plug in easily and ethanol models burn cleanly without needing ventilation in your home.
Hiring a local fireplace installation professional ensures your new fireplace meets safety codes and ventilation requirements, especially for gas and wood-burning models that need proper setup.
There’s nothing like a fireplace to set the scene for a cozy winter’s night spent at home. There are four main types of fireplaces: wood-burning, gas, electric, and ethanol. Which one is right for you? While it largely depends on the warmth and ambiance you desire, there are other things to consider when choosing the best fireplace type for your home.
| Type of Fireplace | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|
| Wood-burning | Traditional look/ambiance | Frequent maintenance |
| Gas | Instant flames | Costly installation |
| Electric | Easy installation | Looks fake |
| Ethanol | Burns cleanly | Expensive to refuel |
Wood-burning fireplaces likely come to mind first when you think of fireplaces. They burn wood for fuel, which is relatively easy to come by, and they can serve as an excellent source of heat. The flickering glow and crackle of the burning logs only add to the cozy scene.
However, that ambiance comes with a frequent maintenance schedule and the need for proper ventilation—there must be a chimney—so homeowners and their homes need to be ready for safe usage and upkeep of the various parts of the fireplace.
A wood-burning fireplace’s longevity depends greatly on the firebox material. If it’s made from brick, it can last from 20 to 25 years, while a metal firebox will last between 10 and 20 years.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Pleasing aesthetic | Require regular cleaning/maintenance |
| May increase home value | Not energy efficient |
| Independent of utilities | Expensive installation |
Best for: Homes with existing chimneys and homeowners who don’t mind regular upkeep
If gathering wood for fuel isn’t your cup of tea, consider a natural gas fireplace. With natural gas, you can warm up any room with the glow of realistic-looking flames. A gas fireplace not only ignites at the flip of a switch, but it also has settings that allow you to adjust the levels of both the flames and the heat. You could even add faux logs that resemble wood for a more traditional-looking aesthetic.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Energy-efficient | Dependent on utilities |
| Burns cleanly | High initial cost |
| Can adjust flame/heat | Requires ventilation in most places |
Best for: Those who love the look of real flames without the upkeep
You’re not out of luck if your home is without a chimney or other type of ventilation system. Electric fireplaces are an affordable alternative that are also easy to use: just plug them in and flip a switch.
You won’t get the same warmth or realistic-looking flames as a gas or wood-burning fireplace, but their flexibility and very low maintenance make electric fireplaces a popular choice for both homeowners and renters.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to install | Dependent on utilities |
| Energy-efficient | Doesn’t burn as well |
| Doesn’t need ventilation | Fake-looking |
Best for: Those who want a flexible installation without much (or any) upkeep
If you crave a fireplace with a more modern design that’s also better for the environment, choose an ethanol-fueled model. These ventless models, also known as bioethanol or bio fireplaces, use an alcohol-based fuel that produces flames without emissions.
You can choose a freestanding fireplace or one that’s built into the wall behind recessed glass. It’s not the same as a stone hearth, but it offers a sleeker look that suits those who like a modern aesthetic. An ethanol fireplace has the potential to last a lifetime when you maintain it properly.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Doesn’t need ventilation | Weak heat source |
| Nice aesthetic | Limited flame control |
| Requires little maintenance | Not as safe as gas or electric |
Best for: Modern-looking homes that don’t have the ventilation necessary for gas or wood-burning
There’s something to like about all four fireplace types. However, it’s not as easy as going with the one you like best. Here are some other important factors to consider.
While electric and ethanol are by far the easiest to install because they don’t need ventilation, gas fireplaces require vents, and wood-burning fireplaces need a chimney. If your home is already vented appropriately, then installing gas or wood-burning should be easier.
However, if you don’t have ventilation, you’ll have to pay extra money to have it done right, or you can call it a day and get an electric or ethanol fireplace instead. Keep in mind, too, that any fireplace installation must be safe and up to code, so check in with a fireplace installer to ensure your fireplace setup won’t put yourself or your property at risk.
Fuel prices can fluctuate depending on the location and market demand. When choosing a fireplace type, don’t forget to consider how easy (or hard) it will be to get fuel over time and how much it will cost depending on usage over time.
Wood-burning fireplaces require regular ash removal and chimney sweeping, and gas fireplaces require at least an annual service visit. Chimney sweeping costs $130 to $380 on average. If you want a fireplace that’s low maintenance, electric or ethanol is the way to go.
It’s OK if you just want an ambient glow from your fireplace. But if you want to use it as a heat source, choose gas or wood-burning rather than electric or ethanol.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so choose a fireplace that suits your home design preferences. For example, wood-burning fireplaces are great for homes with a traditional aesthetic, while ethanol or electric options suit modern or industrial styles.
Electric and ethanol fireplaces burn cleaner and leave a smaller carbon footprint than wood-burning and gas fireplaces.
Gas and wood-burning fireplaces are known to increase property value, but it ultimately depends on the home’s location and the region’s climate. Homes in colder regions see stronger returns on investment than those in warmer climates.
There’s a fireplace for nearly every budget, lifestyle, and design preference. If you’re still unsure of which one works for you, reach out to a professional fireplace installer near you and ask questions about installation, safety, and maintenance schedules.
Terrible experience. Walls/trim/floors/cabinets/doors all have drip marks, overspray, etc. Tiling at the fireplace had to be redone by another vendor due to incorrect and shoddy install by Profect. Contractor had his children in our house while he was on site without prior authorization or...
Profect painting & exteriorsSupreme Brick & Chimney did a great job with a cleaning and inspection of the fireplace! He was efficient, on time, and very pleasant. The space was kept very clean, and the fireplace was spotless when he was done. He also performed a thorough inspection, and did a great job talking us...
Supreme brick & chimneyAce Fireplace Services came to the rescue for my chimney repair. They were quick to pinpoint the issue and worked their magic to fix it. My chimney is now in excellent shape, and I'm a satisfied customer.
Ace Fireplace ServicesCustom Paint Jobs LLCs custom murals brought life to our childrens rooms. They love it!
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCStorms Mobile Welding was great to work with. They were prompt, professional and did an overall excellent job on the project. I highly recommend.
On time, clean and finished fast. Windows seem sturdy and the finish is good. Caulking was done with no smudges. Would recommend.
Window Depot USA of Central OhioThe team is awesome!! I can generally pick up and clean throughout the week, but they CLEAN! Windows, stair rails, microwave. All the things I can’t ever seem to get to regularly. The house looks and smells great after they leave.
Blackburns did a great job and for about half of the estimated price!!! I have a big old house with a tall brick chimney. This chimney used to vent the fireplace which is no longer operational. I suspected that it also vented the hot water heater. Combustion of natural gas results in...
Blackburns Chimney SweepsBought a half a cord of firewood from Pitzer with stacking last month. I waited to report so I could see how the wood burned. <br /> <br /> I have three pet peeves regarding landscapers, but Pitzer scored "A"s regarding all three. First, rather than having customers "leave a message" and...
Pitzer LandscapingWe decided to update our partially finished basement, with a budget. Gerald worked with me on the lighting and chair rail selections, and produced an end product that was everything we wanted and within our budget. The work was done quickly, and he and his crew were always prompt and...
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