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Gas Fireplaces

With winter coming up, a nice, cosy fireplace would be the perfect addition to many homes.  Rather than opting for a traditional fireplace, however, have you thought about using a gas fireplace?  It comes in many styles, looks fantastic, and saves the hassle of gathering wood!  Gas fireplaces are also surprisingly warm.

Gas fireplaces can be installed into existing chimneys or they can be installed into a timber and plaster frame.  It is important to note that gas fires need to be installed by a licensed gas plumber and any room that has an open gas fire installed needs to have fresh air vents as per regulations.  In fact, any gas fireplace needs to have more than adequate ventilation.

Types of Gas Fireplaces Available

Gas fireplaces are available in a wide range of sizes and styles, meaning that there is a fireplace to suit your requirements.  They can be classical looking, right through to contemporary.  Even though they are gas, realistic flame effects can be achieved, so much so that you may even forget that it’s not even a real wood fireplace.  To add to this, they can be installed into the wall as in a traditional fireplace or they can be freestanding.  It is even possible to install them in a wall so that you can see the fire on both sides – a double-sided gas fireplace.

Features of Gas Fireplaces

Many of the fireplaces come with a wall switch or handheld remote systems that allow you to easily manage the amount of heat that circulates around your room, or to allow you to turn the fire on and off easily.  Another possibility is to fit the fireplace with a timer so that you can set the timer to turn the fire off after you go to bed, for example, or to start before you awaken in the morning.  Most gas fireplaces also come with accessories such as fascias and mantelpieces to allow you to fully finish the look of your fireplace.  These accessories can be available in timber, MDF or even stainless steel for a true contemporary look.

Gas Fireplaces and Safety

For safety, gas fireplaces come with ceramic glass viewing windows.  The ceramic glass allows for maximum heating efficiency, and the type of glass ensures safety.  They are also fitted with safety devices such as flame failure and oxygen depletion systems.

What Gas Fireplaces Need to Operate

Gas fireplaces require flues to operate but these flues can run horizontally or vertically, which allows for versatility in installation.  Some gas fireplaces also have direct vents, which allow them to be installed in situations where it would be impossible to have a flued gas fireplace.  The direct vent fireplaces work by having an airtight firebox that draws air for combustion from outside the home, maintaining the clean air in the home.

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