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Do I want a woodburning fireplace or a gas fireplace? Top 10 Things to Consider

We were recently asked this question: "Should we include a woodburning fireplace in our new home? And if not, why not?"

That's a good question.

In many jurisdictions, the decision has been taken out of the homebuyer's hands. Many districts no longer allow installation of woodburning fireplaces, mainly because of air pollution issues.

Check with your builder to see if woodburning fireplaces are allowed. If they are, here are some things to consider:

Raleigh Custom Home Builders - Woodburning fireplaces and gas fireplaces, which is better? Build on your lot or land in the Triangle area A woodburning fireplace:

Requires wood.

Since many areas have moved away from installing woodburning fireplaces, wood to burn can be harder to find, or more expensive.

Wood must be stored.

Storing wood in preparation for burning can attract insects or rodents. Homeowners must be careful not to store wood too close to the home, and take care to cover it and protect it from rain.

Is more expensive than a gas fireplace.

The firebox must be built to withstand the higher heat put out by burning wood instead of gas.

The fireplace must vent directly to the roof instead of through the wall, like with a gas fireplace. Thus the chimney must be taller.

Today's woodburning fireplaces usually consist of a woodburning insert with a metal flue that reaches the roof, but this is still more expensive than a gas fireplace.

A traditional masonry or brick chimney or firebox can add considerably to the cost.

Pollution issues.

With a gas fireplace, there aren't nearly as many emissions or smoke affecting air quality.

For those who do have woodburning fireplaces, there are many days when they cannot light a fire due to air pollution issues.

Provides fewer decorating or location options.

Because a gas burning fireplace does not have to vent straight up, there are many more options of locations.

A gas fireplace on the second floor of the home does not have to be directly above the fireplace on the first floor.

Also, if desired an entertainment center can be built directly above the fireplace as seen here.

Ask your builder what the best option is in your area. Take them the floor plan you're considering, and discuss your budget and desires. But if you've already purchased a lot and woodburning fireplaces are no longer allowed, your home will not be able to include one.

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Posted by Stanton Homes - Penny Hull New Home Builders - Raleigh NC Area on 05/26/2008 05:47 AM

Comments (23)

Fireplaces in the Home Buying Channel

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Originally posted at: Raleigh NC New Homes: Communities, Lots and Land in the Triangle: Do I want a woodburning fireplace or a gas fireplace? Top 10 Things to Consider

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23 Comments on Do I want a woodburning fireplace or a gas fireplace? Top 10 Things to Consider

MAY

2008

A wood-burning fireplace smells so much better. It gives you a sense of home! It's ashamed the pollution a wood-burning fireplace can put out. Can't you purchase treated logs, to reduce air pollution?

For those who do have woodburning fireplaces, there are many days when they cannot light a fire due to air pollution issues.

Penny - I would have never thought of that! My husband LOVES wood-burning but, of course, we have gas. Great tips and advice in this post - you think of everything!

Not allowing wood burning fireplaces - hmm. Yet we are encouraged to reduce our dependence on oil / fossil fuels.

Is this just in Holly Springs, or in all of North Carolina??? We've been considering a move to places "Southern" but I guess we'll have to do some investigating on how big Big Brother really is.

I now cant remember the type of wood, but it's some kind of white pine or something has barely any pollution. I much rather have a wood burning fireplace. The smell and its much cheaper to run. Try running your gas fireplace all day and let me know what you think aftr you get your gas bill :)

PH,

I would select a woodburning fire place with today`s high cost of fuel it will become a huge asset to any home.

I would say most of the clients I deal with on new construction want gas FP. Click and its done, no mess after wards.

Lexi - a woodburning fireplace brings back happy memories for many of us. And you're right, there are some more eco-friendly logs on the market.

Leesa - air pollution varies by area. The areas with the highest pollution have the most restricted burning days (nationwide). It's definitely something to think about.

Karen - we've heard of various counties and cities throughout the country with these kinds of restrictions. It really depends. For instance, in the Raleigh area, last we heard Orange County approves some woodburning fireplaces on a case-by-case basis only. There are dozens of towns and about 10 counties in the Triangle area, each with their own restrictions and building guidelines.

Heather - I don't know that anyone would recommend running a gas fireplace on a long-term basis. There are a few different kinds of logs that are available that burn for long periods. But then the cost of the fireplace must be balanced as well - a gas fireplace is much less expensive to install than a woodburning fireplace, particularly if any kind of full brick or stone surround is desired. Woodstoves can be another option, though these are most often seen in log homes.

Scott - again, as long as homebuyers are aware that there is a higher cost upfront (and that they must make sure the fireplace is approved by the city), a woodburning fireplace certainly has it's benefits. It seems that these are mainly restricted in large metropolitan areas where there are bigger concerns about air quality.

Morning Penny,

Good post!! As with anything else one should do their homework before making a decision such as this. I prefer wood burning, I miss not having one here. In Florida there aren't many days we could use one. Up North we had gas ignited, wood burning and enjoyed it on many, many cold nights. Dual fuel, so to speak worked well for us too. We could use ceramic logs if needed.

Aesthetically, you can't beat a wood burning stove. I've stacked and chopped many a cord of wood in the past. The next logical step I purchased a pellet stove. Pellets burn more even than wood, but those 40 pound bags were a drag. My next upgrade was a gas stove insert. You can't beat it, it is clean burning, it looks good and the remote works great. I do have to agree, the price of gas is getting pretty expensive though.

Good Post!

Laura - the "off/on" switch is certainly appealing to many who want a gas fireplace.

Hal - Dual fuel is definitely another option (though again, will add to the cost compared to a standard gas fireplace). Woodburning fireplaces are another "love em or hate em" feature in a home. Another benefit of gas that I didn't mention is that there is no mess to clean up, no chimney to keep clean, no ashes that need to be emptied. But there isn't much substitute for that real woodburning smell!

Penny ~ Thanks for the information. These are things that many of us don't consider when opting for a wood burning fireplace.

When I was a kid, my parents had one, and my dad would purchase wood and have it delivered to the house. Many, many days, it was my responsiblity to bring in the wood from the back yard. I absolutely hated it, as you can imagine. Gas is so much more convenient!

There are a lot of reasons pro and con. I would suspect that the price of wood will go up with the price of other energy sources. If you think you have lung problems now wait til everyone on the block fires up the wood burning fireplace.

Michael - sounds like you've personally tried all the different options! It's interesting to watch trends over time. I would guess that 98% of homes built in the past five years that have fireplaces have gas fireplaces. Will the trend reverse at some point? Not sure. We may even find a new kind of fuel, or step away from including fireplaces at all! Right now, the most popular (and cost effective) option in this area is gas. Perhaps agents in the northeast see a difference in a colder climate?

Darleen - I remember my dad taking out the chainsaw, then me and my brothers would carry the wood up to the house (but we lived on 5 acres at the time). We'd also order wood from time to time. We had a freestanding wood stove. It's sure easier to hit the switch, but there are definite preferences - and I too miss the smell of a good fire.

MAY

2008

Penny, I have been looking into pellet stoves. The initial cost is higher, they recycle materials that would fill our landfills, they are clean burning, and some are designed to heat your whole house saving $$$.

Denise - There are other fuel sources that can be less polluting and more renewable than traditional logs. And the pollution levels are definitely one reason that some municipalities do not allow new construction to install wood burning fireplaces.

MAY

2008

Penny-

Good information. home buyers are always amazed at how much adding a real wood fireplace can add to the cost of building a home. In Mobile, Alabama the choice is usually between electric or gas fireplaces.

JUL

2008

Craig - It is very interesting how things change over the years.

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