Many people enjoy the wood fireplace for the natural looking setting and heat provided when burning wood. Additionally, the wood burned gives a distinctive fragrance of the logs as they burn, and the flames they create are often seen as inviting and soothing. If you choose to add a blower to the fireplace the heat offered can be quite substantial and save on your heating bill. Hence, a wood fireplace can be very functional while also providing aesthetic appeal. Most importantly, if you live in an area where it gets very cold, a wood burning fireplace is good to have in case a storm knocks out the utilities.

The wood fireplace has several disadvantages though. Acquiring the wood can be a major disadvantage. Some people view this as an advantage if they have access to free wood, but most people don't. Hence, either they have to work to cut and haul the wood from a source or they have to purchase the wood themselves. The price of wood will depend on your location. You will then have to store the wood at your home and if you want a fireplace on a cold day you will have to go outside to get the wood and start the fire. If all of this sounds like too much work, you may want to consider a gas fireplace.

The traditional fireplace requires a certain amount of maintenance and close supervision when it is used. Wood burning fireplaces require regular cleaning to reduce the build-up of creosote, a natural byproduct of some woods which can become flammable. Homeowners who choose a traditional fireplace must be diligent with preventative maintenance.

Gas fireplaces use natural gas as their main fuel source, although some functional fireplaces may use liquid propane. This natural gas is supplied by a utility company, which meters the product as you use it. You will not have to haul gas or store it on your property. You will have access to it by turning a switch. However, gas can be an expensive commodity, especially during the winter months when the demand rises. Gas expenses can vary significantly from year to year, and quite often, natural gas is one of the more expensive products offered by utility companies.

A gas fireplace is generally cleaner than a traditional system. Today's gas fireplaces can be controlled with remote control and adjusted to look like crackling orange and yellow flames. The artificial logs often resemble natural split logs, complete with a satisfying glow of embers. Gas fireplaces would be most useful for those who are not comfortable with maintenance or do not have the capacity to store excess wood on their property. Families with small children may also benefit from the instant on/instant off options offered by gas fireplace systems.

In summary, traditional and gas fireplaces offer owners decorative as well as functional options. Advances in technology have eliminated the gaps between them. You will want to decide which type of fireplace best fits your needs before you purchase your home. Both are viable options.