A Burning Question: Wood Burning Fireplace vs Gas Fireplace

The idea of curling up by a fireplace conjures up all sorts of warm feelings, no pun intended. It doesn't matter if you're interested in sharing a Norman Rockwell moment with your family at Christmas, or sharing a special moment with your girlfriend and a Barry White CD; the fireplace is the place to be. This leads us to our latest home improvement debate. Which is truly better, the traditional wood-burning fireplace, or the modern gas fireplace?

Wood Fireplace

It may be the old fashioned method, but wood-burning fireplaces actually match up favorably with their gas counterparts. Unlike gas, wood is a renewable resource, and when you have a EPA approved fireplace design installed, the energy efficiency of a wood fireplace is actually on a par with that of the gas variety. Wood fireplaces are also a more affordable solution and tend to offer a better, genuine aesthetic. The only real downside is the workload and accompanying dirty hands required to keep the fire burning.

Gas Fireplace

If you live in a smaller apartment, or if you're not the type of person who likes the thought of handling kindling and soot throughout the evening, a gas fireplace could be the simple, convenient solution for you. Unfortunately, you can also expect to pay more for that convenience, and for many people, this greenhouse gas burning alternative just doesn't stack up to the feel of the old fashioned wood fireplace.

And the winner is...

Personally, I'd say you can't beat the benefits of a well designed wood-burning fireplace. Even the safety risks are far smaller than you might think. However, this is a decision that certainly depends entirely on what type of person you are and what type of home you keep. Cleanliness and convenience certainly favors the gas option, but cost, quality, and ambiance still make the old standard a great choice.