Recommendations on gas fireplaces?

[newhomeownerco]

Hi All,

I stumbled across this site today and thought you might be able to help.

We currently have a wood fireplace without doors or a damper because the previous owners had installed a wood stove using the existing chimney and bricked over the original fireplace. While I like the idea of the wood stove I did not trust it to be safe based on the other work the previous owners did around the house and it stuck way out into the middle of a long narrow living room making furniture placement, etc difficult.

So, we've removed all the brick and are considering our options. After much deliberation, we think we want a gas fireplace in there. There is, in fact, a gas line running to or very near to the fireplace as it is (option when the house was built?). I've been trying to find ratings/rankings of gas fireplace manufacturers with limited success. I was hoping you would have some suggestions. We're looking for something that would heat efficiently and look not entirely fake. We've looked at some Heatilator models as well as some Regency models but that's about it. Any brands in particular with especially good reputations? Or ones to be avoided?

Any advice/suggestions/insight would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Shane]

Lopi, Avalon & Fireplace Xtrordinair all have awesome flame patterns. Vermont Castings does as well. Personally I do not like Heatilator, they're towards the bottom of the barrell in my opinion. Regency is good, Quadrafire is good too.

 

[lepp]

All the brands Shane mentioned have good units. It's really a matter of what size you are looking for, i.e. how much heat do you need? What are look or design is appropriate for your home decor? What price range are you budgeting?

As well, it's usually best to go with a local hearth dealer with a good reputation. Check out the local dealers and see what units you like. There are a lot of promotions and deals out there right now, it's a good time to buy.

 

[skypager]

Brand aside, make sure you get the fireplace and flue checked out, especially since there has been some reconstruction. Gas inserts are designed to be installed into a functioning wood burning fireplace, main consern being heat around the insert affecting original fireplace and the walls its attatched to. It sounds as if the flue was cut into above the opening? If so, be sure that it is patched using the correct (non-combustable materials).

Most brands of gas insert that can be purchased through a hearth specialty shop are going to be of good quality. More important than the brand you choose is the service you will get from the dealer if something does go wrong. Most units will never have a problem, but if something doew arise, you want someone that is gonna give you good customer service and is knowledgable about the product.