There is no better way to turn your home into a cozy retreat during the winter months than by installing a fireplace. The section below examines some of the most popular styles so you can get a better idea of the advantages and disadvantages that they offer.
Traditional Wood-Burning Fireplaces
With a traditional fireplace, you burn wood to generate heat. The smell of the wood burning, the sound of the crackling flames, and the steady stream of heat generated by these fires create an authentic experience that is hard to match with other types of fireplaces.
The main drawback to these models is that you need a steady supply of wood to burn. Cutting, stacking, and carrying the wood takes a lot of work and can be messy. Stray sparks from wood fires can also pose a fire hazard.
Gas Fireplaces
As you might guess, gas fireplaces are powered by natural gas. They are easy to light, meaning that you can turn them on or off whenever you need them. This makes them a lot more convenient than wood-burning options since you don’t have to build a fire. You also don’t have to worry about adding more wood. Instead, you can keep the fire going as long as you want without any extra attention required.
The biggest complaint that people usually have about gas models is that they don’t provide quite the same realistic experience as a wood fire. Even though they have a flame, they don’t crackle like a real fire and the logs can sometimes look fake. All in all, however, they are a great choice.
Electric Fireplaces
Powered by electricity, these fireplaces can be turned on and off with the flick of a switch like their gas counterparts, making them a convenient option.
One minor drawback, however, is that they don’t have a real flame. Instead, they use lights and screens to create the look of fire. If you want an actual fire, one of the other options may be a better choice.
These are the three most popular styles of fireplaces. Now that you have a better idea of what is available, you should be able to make the right choice for your home.