Over the years, gas fireplaces have become increasingly popular alternatives to traditional wood-burning fireplaces. They offer different things in terms of both style and function, allowing them to appeal to homeowners that might never consider the old-fashioned option. Today, we’ll discuss what those things are and how to decide which side of the equation matters most to you.

Style

Because gas fireplaces don’t need to account for logs, soot, or excessive smoke, they can be made in a wider variety of styles than traditional fireplaces.

The most notable differences can be seen inside the firebox itself. The flames don’t rely on an external fuel source, so they can be made to look like they’re coming from fake logs, rocks, sand, or nothing at all. Adding a decorative insert opens up even more interesting design possibilities.

These fireboxes can be encased in single-, double-, or even triple-sided glass depending on how you want to display the blaze inside. Adding more than one glass side allows you to view the fire from different angles and enjoy its cozy glow in more spots around the room. It also allows the fireplace’s heat to radiate into more of the space, achieving a higher temperature while using less energy.

Finish things off with an eye-catching surround made of imposing granite, classic brick, modern-looking steel, or any other material that harmonizes with your interior decor. If you don’t life the look of wall-mounted fireplaces, there are even freestanding gas fireplaces that look just like old-fashioned cast iron wood-burning stoves.

Function

Gas fireplaces also offer a slew of functional benefits over their traditional log-burning counterparts. To name a few:

• They offer consistent levels of heat that you can adjust to suit your needs.
• They can be shut off instantly in case of an emergency.
• They take up less space.
• There’s no need to cut, stack, purchase, or transport wood to fuel them.
• They require less maintenance and clean-up.
• They’re more energy-efficient.
• They let in less cold air when they’re not in use.
• They can be installed almost anywhere in your home, even if there’s no chimney to attach them to.
• They can still be operated during power outages if you have a standing pilot or intermittent pilot ignition.

If any of these things are important to you, you’ll probably prefer a gas fireplace instead of a traditional one.

How to Choose

So which is more important: style or function? The good news is that you don’t have to pick a side! Many gas fireplaces offer the best of both worlds. They look beautiful and offer all of the benefits that traditional fireplaces lack. As long as you choose your model carefully and get it installed by a reputable gas fireplace installation company, you’ll never have to compromise on either aspect.

Trust Syles Mechanical for Your Gas Fireplace Installation

While wood-burning fireplaces have their charms, gas fireplaces are undeniably the better option for many homeowners. If you’re interested in getting one installed in your home, call Syles Mechanical today. We’ll help you browse our extensive selection of name-brand fireplaces and pick out the perfect one for your home, then install it hassle-free. Contact us today to get started.