Although they’ve been around for quite some time, gas fireplaces have become quite popular with homeowners because their energy-efficient and cost-effective. Not only are they convenient because they burn fuel and not wood, owners don’t have to worry about ashes and soot. Their main safety feature is their sealed combustion unit which reduces the threat of combustion gases spilling into the room. Direct vent fireplaces draw their combustion air from outside while venting to the same outside atmosphere. So they aren’t consuming the warm air inside the house.

Gas fireplaces run on either natural or propane gas and come with many attractive features such as gas logs that look just like real wood. You can chose from oak, pine, birch, fruitwood etc…. Gas logs are made from ceramic and not only look real but also produce a great fire. Many gas fireplaces come with a remote control or are operated through the use of a wall switch which allows the owner to enjoy it as much or as little as he or she wants. Finally, gas fireplaces provide an alternative source of light and heat during a power failure.

For those people that have decided on buying a gas fireplace for their homes, here are a few things consider during the installation process. Before installing your gas fireplace you should consider the positioning of the framing and the ceiling joists in relation to the location of the fireplace. Since gas fireplaces require zero clearance on the back and the side, they’re ideal for closely confined spaces. However there are other clearances which should be adhered to for the vent piping depending on the configuration. Gas fireplace should refer to their instruction and installation manuals for more information on the specific clearances.

Fireplaces are the natural focal point of any room and are usually located in the center of the room and should be taken into consideration before they are installed. They should be installed by qualified technicians. With direct vent gas fireplaces, technicians will be able to install of the necessary vent piping for safe and proper usage. The unique vent process of allows them to be vented vertically through the roof or horizontally through an outside wall.

Another aesthetically pleasing feature of a gas fireplace is its glass doors. Glass doors enhance its natural beauty and allow friends and family to safely enjoy the view by reducing the chances of burns. They act as a barrier and keep wandering kids and pets from coming into contact with the gas logs inside the fireplace. Installing glass doors alone doesn’t always prevent burns. A gas fireplace door can heat up to more than 200º F in about 6 minutes. (Children’s Hospital Colorado) Owners should take special care and use a barrier or gate for additional protection against burns.

Most new fireplaces usually come with their own glass doors. However if you want to install glass doors to an existing fireplace, you’ll probably have to have them retrofitted. Installing a glass door requires fitting the door unit into the firebox opening and attaching it to the masonry. For fireboxes made of rough-textured material, like fieldstone, standard doors are not a good choice because they can't overlap on the opening's edge. For older fireplaces, you might want to be careful during installation when drilling into the brick since it may have become brittle over the years. Qualified technicians have the experience and know-how to safely and properly install glass doors to all types of surfaces.