Do you need a fireplace, fireplace insert, or gas logs? What’s the difference?

Do you need a fireplace, fireplace insert, or gas logs? What’s the difference?

There is a lot of confusion from customers regarding terminology with hearth products, none more so than fireplaces and fireplace inserts.  It seems like daily, people will come in looking for an “insert”, but what they need is actually a “fireplace”.  Just as often it is the other way, customers shopping for a “fireplace” really need an “insert”.  Sometimes if we aren’t careful in our initial question phase of the presentation we will spend time talking about products that the customer doesn’t need and will not work with their project which honestly is annoying and time consuming for both parties.  There are some real differences between the two products whether wood burning or gas burning.

Fireplace

A “fireplace” is the complete fireplace structure.  It can be masonry or a manufactured zero clearance metal style, as well as wood-burning and gas-burning.  Either way the fireplace is the entire structure that you frame into place.  You need a fireplace if you don’t already have one and you want one, or already have one, and want to remove it to put in something that’s better looking, more efficient, or just more modern into it. That fireplace will get framed into a wall, and a chimney or vent will run off of the unit to the outside for exhaust.  When you install a new fireplace there is a bit of construction involved. First, if you already have a fireplace, but want to replace it, the old one (and most likely the chimney or venting) will have to be removed. Then, framing for the new fireplace will have to be added.  After the fireplace gets installed into the wall, there is typically drywall, tile or stonework that will have to be considered.

One of the biggest advantages of installing a new fireplace is that the new fireplaces will have larger viewing areas, and their physical dimensions aren’t limited by the existing fireplace opening size (like an insert would be).  The common terminology issue comes up when people are wanting to remove and replace their already built in fireplace.  Many people will call this an insert because they associate putting a new fireplace in as “inserting” it.

Fireplace Insert

A fireplace insert on the other hand, is basically a stove, wood-burning or gas-burning, that is designed to be inserted into a fireplace that is existing.  Usually a wood burning fireplace, whether masonry or factory-built, will get an “insert” put inside of it.  Inserts require very little if any construction because you are utilizing the existing fireplace and opening for the insert.  Inserts are much smaller than fireplaces, again because they are designed to fit into the opening, they will have much smaller glass fronts for the same reason.  Inserts are designed to transform the inefficient wood fireplaces into new, cleaner-burning appliances.

Gas Logs

A gas log set is another type of insert for your existing fireplace. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, but now want an easier, more decorative option than burning wood, you might choose a gas log set to fit the bill. Gas logs are a stack of ceramic logs that rest on a grate, over a gas burner, and sit inside your existing fireplace. There are also burners designed to go under crushed glass, for a more contemporary look. Vented gas logs vent up your existing chimney. If your chimney has broken or missing liners or mortar, gas logs cannot be used.

Gas logs are usually more for looks and aesthetics than for warmth. While they will give off some heat, they do not give off as much heat as a built-in gas fireplace or gas insert. Most of the heat that is generated from a gas log set goes right up your chimney. Another consideration with a gas log, is that the damper on your fireplace will have to be clamped open, or even removed. This is for safety reasons, so you can’t inadvertently fill the room with deadly carbon monoxide gas.

One of the main factors that will help you decide which type of hearth product you want to choose is aesthetics vs. warmth. If you are looking for more warmth, you should consider a gas insert or built-in gas fireplace.

Gas logs are also the cheaper heating product option, so if budget is a concern, this will be less expensive than a gas insert or built-in gas fireplace.

To sum it up simply, I guess an insert goes into a fireplace that you already have.  If you don’t want a construction project and you want heat, you are after an insert.  If you don’t have a fireplace in the home, or you want to remove and entirely replace the existing one (tear open the wall, remove tile, drywall, paint, etc.), then you need a new fireplace.