The short version
Choose gas if you want a fire at the flip of a switch, a clean glass front and less upkeep. Choose wood if you love a real fire and the smell of it, and your chimney can safely support it. In a new building where gas piping isn't allowed, ask early what is possible.
| Question | Gas | Wood | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting a fire | A switch or a remote | Build and tend a fire | A switch |
| Venting | Sealed direct vent: air in and exhaust out through one vent run | A sound chimney and flue | None |
| Gas line | A gas line sized for the unit | Not needed | Not needed |
| Upkeep | An annual check of burner, ignition, glass seal, vent, gas and CO | Regular sweeping and an inspection at least once a year | No vent or gas line to look after |
| Heat and flame | A real flame behind clean glass | Real flame and real heat | Modest heat, simulated flame |
| Good for | A fire at the flip of a switch with less upkeep | People who love a real fire, where the chimney can support it | Condos and rooms where a vent run isn't possible |
Gas fireplaces
- Controlled with a switch or remote. No wood to store, no ash to clean.
- Direct vent units are sealed: they bring combustion air in and send exhaust out through one vent run, which is why the glass can stay clean and the room stays comfortable.
- Linear gas fireplaces give a wide, modern flame. Inserts and log sets turn an old masonry fireplace into one you'll use.
- Need a gas line sized for the unit, a vent route and clearances to the framing, mantel and any TV. All of that is planned before the walls close.
- Need an annual check: burner, ignition, glass seal, vent, gas and CO test.
Wood burning fireplaces
- Real flame and real heat, with no gas line required.
- Need a sound chimney and flue, a correctly sized firebox and regular sweeping. Standard guidance, including NFPA 211, is an inspection at least once a year.
- Wood smoke is a real air quality issue. The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District has reported that it makes up nearly a third of wintertime fine particle pollution in the county, and fire agencies can restrict burning in hazardous conditions.
- Older masonry fireplaces often need a liner or repair before they are safe to use.
Electric fireplaces
Electric units need no venting and no gas, so they suit condos and rooms where a vent run isn't possible. They give modest heat and a simulated flame. We focus on gas and wood fireplaces, so if electric is the right answer for your room we will tell you.
Questions to ask before you choose
- Is there a chimney, and when was it last inspected?
- Where could a vent run: up through the roof or out a side wall?
- Is a TV going above it? Heat above the unit matters.
- Is the project a remodel or a new building? In the City of Santa Barbara, newly constructed buildings can't have natural gas piping. Other jurisdictions have their own rules.
- Who will use it, how often, and how much do you want to maintain?
Not sure which fits your room?
Use the project planner to pull your answers into a short brief, or call and we will walk the room with you. The estimate is free.
