So a couple weeks ago we had a little discussion here about Satin Nickel vs. Oil Rubbed Bronze. We’re in the process of designing our new home and it really helps to hear opinions and talk things out with you guys.
Well, I need your input again. Come on and give me your best advice…
GAS FIREPLACE vs. WOODBURNING FIREPLACE
OK, so here’s the conversation going on in my head right now… While I love the ease a gas fireplace, there’s nothing like a dwindling fire on a cold winter day.
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Yes, there is a mess issue with a woodburning fireplace and the cost of having to buy fire wood throughout the fall and winter.
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We had a woodburning fireplace in our last home and I really think we didn’t use it that much. With my husband working late nights, I really don’t like having to start the fire myself. Flipping a switch would be so much easier!
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But there’s nothing like a dwindling fire after a long winter night. I love sitting with the lights down low and watching the fire flicker as it dies down.
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Now as my husband? He prefers a woodburning fireplace. Well, at least until he realizes that he’s the one always starting it… and then he has to keep it going all night.
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But there’s just something about the masonry and look of the woodburning fireplace. Just looks cozy, right?
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Although you can do a lot of cool surrounds with the gas fireplace, like marbles, tile or even stone to make it look more traditional. Hmm… what do do?
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SO, WHICH ONE DO YOU PREFER?
Wood burning or gas fireplace?
Wood burning or gas fireplace?
Anna says
Gas hands down! No mess and you can start it and turn it off anytime! Wood burning leaves a film over everything….I’m way too much of a clean neat freak to even consider wood! 🙂
Carol @arewethereyet says
Love, love, love a wood burning fireplace – it is a little messier (and I’m a clean freak too) but a gas fireplace smells. We have had both and I wouldn’t have a gas fireplace again if someone gave it to me because of the smell. (also, in my humble opinion, gas doesn’t look real – there is nothing like a good wood burning fireplace). BTW, you know you can have a wood burning fireplace with a gas starter – all the beauty of the wood with the convenience of gas – just a thought. 🙂
Jenny says
I’d say gas. We had wood burning at our last house and have gas now. This is much cleaner and easier to care for. There are really nice surrounds for gas fireplaces these days and you don’t have to go with those ugly brass trim glass doors (like we have)! Plus, carbon monoxide poisoning is more of an issue with wood burning fireplaces.
Jessica Hooley says
WOOD BURNING! Not only is it the way God intended fire to be made…not only does it work in an emergency…not only does it look prettier…not only do kids love mini roasting marshmallow camp outs in front of it…not only is a stack of wood a beautiful piece of decor…but also…wait…no that’s all I can think of 🙂 Can you tell I like wood burning fireplaces haha
Margaret says
We had a wood burner in the basement of our last house. It was a lot of work and as you say, it’s messy. We now have free gas so we decided to have someone put in a gas fireplace. Yes, it does smell when you walk by and the pilot light is on, but there is no maintenance. My husband would still prefer a wood burning fireplace, but with our acreage he can build a fire outside anytime and in any season. 🙂 I don’t know if one would be more cost efficient than the other.
blueyesrsmiling says
I have wood burning, but we also cut our own wood. Before the New Husband I bought it. Our utilities are so high that in our area it is a must. I would rather spend money some place else than on a utility bill. Like college for the last child. But I have a insert and yes it is messy I re-paint every two years. I am also a clean freak!
Crystal says
Wood burning all the way. There’s nothing like the smell of a wood burning fire. I have found that the wood fireplace gets hotter than the gas. It seems to put more heat out which is great when you have a two story house. Also, you can roast marshmellows, make popcorn, etc. on the wood fireplace. Wood all the way!!
Cheryl says
We have had both. I prefer the wood burning kind over gas. It throws off more heat and I love to hear it crackle. That last fire place insp photo with the stone hearth looks exactly like one we had. Love it!
With gas there is more than just flipping a switch you have to turn the starter on so it will ignite. So either way looks like your hubby will be starting it.
Pam Shipman says
You can google fire starters that you can make for a real fire. I prefer wood burning fireplace. I worry about gas and electric failures in the winter time. With a wood burner you always have heat.
Karen R says
When we built our home we went with the wood burning fireplace. (Remember that a wood burning also comes with a chimney on the outside.) We loved it, but one day my husband decided he wanted gas, I was against it but he won. So, we installed a gas line and a gas insert. The problem was that everytime I wanted to have a fire all he could see was dollar signs going up the chimney! Ha! It didn’t put out heat like the wood burner or have the crackling and glowing of wood. With gas, we never just had a fire burning all day, which I love to do on a cold winter day. Hubby decided he missed wood too.
So you guessed it, we switched back! We haven’t regretted it once!
Cathleen says
We have gas and hate it…we never use it. It’s a pathetic flame with none of the perks like warmth and the smell of burning wood.
Pat F. says
Gas fireplace for me! Years ago, when our house was built, our fireplace is a gas and wood burning. We have only used gas and love it; easy, no clean up, discoloration on the fireplace or chimney etc. The houses built now are only gas no wood. Would not trade my gas fireplace for the world!
Pat F.
Las Vegas
Chuck says
Have had two fireplaces in my house for the last 28 years–converted them both from wood-burning to gas in the last couple of years. No hassle with gas–just turn it on and let it go. I spent half my time at family parties over the years trying to keep both wood-burning fires up and running. The slight difference in aesthetics is not worth it.
howtonestforless says
Couldn’t agree more.
Cheri says
My experience with wood burning stoves and fireplaces…not much heat from a fireplace, smells like smoke until it’s completely out, sucks the heat up the chimney and needs air flow. Inserts are another story! Excellent heat!! But not as beautiful. My Mom had a gas fireplace and it was nice ambience and heated up the room rapidly.
Thanks for your lovely blog.
Cheri
Lanny Vest says
While the realism of wood burning is superior to that of gas logs, the convenience and cleanliness of gas is nice; my gas logs are fairly realistic as well.