Screened-in deck fireplace options (wood or gas?)

[PhryGuy]

Hello,

I am in the middle of framing my new deck with a fireplace. The deck will be 16ft x 21ft)
It has been framed for a brick chimney and a wood burning insert.
What I did not know is that the manufacturer required an 18 foot tall chimney. My deck is on the second level of my home so this chimney looks like a smokestack compared to my original chimney on the home. It's an eyesore as well.

Because of this, I am rethinking the whole fireplace.

I have been told that a ventless gas fireplace provides consistent heat and could be better for a screened-in deck. No heat escaping out the chimney.

The ease of the ventless gas option is very appealing.

Although, since I am in the construction phase I am considering the option of a smaller wood burning fireplace only requiring 14.5 ft chimney so I can reduce the height from 18 ft. And, placing ventless gas logs within the wood fireplace, close the damper, maybe cap the chimney so the heat only escapes into the room.
If I do this, then I have the option to convert to wood burning in the future if I want to go that route.

Thoughts on this situation?

Maybe I should just make it easy and go ventless gas and call it a day.

Any insight or info from your experiences would be helpful.

Thanks!

 

[Whitenuckler]

Hello,

I am in the middle of framing my new deck with a fireplace. The deck will be 16ft x 21ft)
It has been framed for a brick chimney and a wood burning insert.
What I did not know is that the manufacturer required an 18 foot tall chimney. My deck is on the second level of my home so this chimney looks like a smokestack compared to my original chimney on the home. It's an eyesore as well.

Because of this, I am rethinking the whole fireplace.

I have been told that a ventless gas fireplace provides consistent heat and could be better for a screened-in deck. No heat escaping out the chimney.

The ease of the ventless gas option is very appealing.

Although, since I am in the construction phase I am considering the option of a smaller wood burning fireplace only requiring 14.5 ft chimney so I can reduce the height from 18 ft. And, placing ventless gas logs within the wood fireplace, close the damper, maybe cap the chimney so the heat only escapes into the room.
If I do this, then I have the option to convert to wood burning in the future if I want to go that route.

Thoughts on this situation?

Maybe I should just make it easy and go ventless gas and call it a day.

Any insight or info from your experiences would be helpful.

Thanks!

I'd go with the ventless option. You could also have some radiant electric heaters. It will simplify your design.

 

[begreen]

Is a fireplace imperative or would a freestanding wood stove be possible? Some have screen options for open door burning.

When you say insert, do you mean a ZeroClearance fireplace? If so, they don't get a brick chimney. They need a metal chimney per mfg. spec.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I’m confused, I see mention of the screened in deck, and heat escaping out of a room. Are these 2 different rooms here? Which one is the fireplace servicing?

 

[PhryGuy]

Yes this is for a screened-in deck with vaulted ceiling so heat will definitely escape.

The wood burning fireplace insert I am considering is the Astria Tuscan. https://astria.us.com/products/outdoor-fireplaces/tuscan/

I want the gas option for ease of use and quick in/out situations where I don't have the time to deal with burning wood. But I would like the option to swap out the gas logs in the future and go with wood. So I'm trying to "future proof" my fireplace situation for the wood option.

If I buy the wood burning fireplace then the chimney/flue will be set up for wood.

My thinking is to start with gas logs in this fireplace.....maybe sometime in the future swap out for wood burning.


Questions for you all;
1. Is this even a good idea?
2. if so, can I use a vent-free gas log system in my wood-burning fireplace.....close the damper......so more heat enters the space?
3. Are vented gas logs even worth a darn? Will they even heat up the place?

I am open to vent-free gas log system and just have my chimney be decorative.

My expectations aren't that we will get all warm and cozy with any option since this is a covered deck but I'm trying to make a decision on ease of use, maximize heat output, while having option for wood in the future......if possible.

Thanks!

 

[Murray01]

We have a screened in gazebo and use a table top patio heater with a ceiling fan. We’re not heating the entire gazebo, only the seating area. The heater doesn’t heat the gazebo to room temperature but it takes the chill off enough to extend our spring and fall outdoor time.

 

[PhryGuy]

Is a fireplace imperative or would a freestanding wood stove be possible? Some have screen options for open door burning.

When you say insert, do you mean a ZeroClearance fireplace? If so, they don't get a brick chimney. They need a metal chimney per mfg. spec.

Fireplace is imperative at this point.
chimney is already framed and I have a 51" space to insert a fireplace. I put the project on hold for a couple days while I figure this out. Initially, I didn't realize the wood burning fireplace my contractor was installing required an 18" chimney. Since my deck is on the second level, this chimney is towering above my house like a smokestack. So i'm reconsidering the wood burning option at this point.
But I did find the Astria Tuscan fireplace only requires a 14.5" chimney so that's much better. The framing guys can cut of 3.5" if I go that route.

 

[begreen]

That helps. The Astria is a zero-clearance (ZC) fireplace. It's not an insert. An insert goes into an existing fireplace.

The Astria requires an 8" ID metal, not brick, chimney.

• Uses IHP 8 DM (1700º) double wall air cooled wood burning chimney

This fireplace has a gas log option, so that may work. However, the plan to install a ventless unit is very different. A ventless or vented gas ZC would never be suitable for wood burning. It could not be changed to wood burning at a later date. Personally, I am not a fan of ventless gas heaters.

 

[PhryGuy]

That helps. The Astria is a zero-clearance (ZC) fireplace. It's not an insert. An insert goes into an existing fireplace.

The Astria requires an 8" ID metal, not brick, chimney.

• Uses IHP 8 DM (1700º) double wall air cooled wood burning chimney

This fireplace has a gas log option, so that may work. However, the plan to install a ventless unit is very different. A ventless or vented gas ZC would never be suitable for wood burning. It could not be changed to wood burning at a later date. Personally, I am not a fan of ventless gas heaters.

If the fireplace is designed for wood burning with a gas option, why could I not use it for wood in the future....after using it with gas logs? Couldn't I have the gas company or a professional configure the gas line appropriately? If so, I would have the gas rod under the wood logs as the starter.

I live in an older house and the previous owners capped off the chimney of the wood burning fireplace....then they ran a gas line to the fireplace and put in a vent free log setup. Of course it gives off aa minor odor in the house....and I understand this is not advised, but nevertheless that is the setup. With that said, my thought process is that I could do something similar within my screened in porch.

Where am I missing the mark with this thinking?

Thanks for the conversation and insight!!

 

[begreen]

A gas fireplace can not be used for wood, ever. A wood fireplace like this Astria can have gas logs added. Or a gas log lighter could be installed. Or a ventless log set could be installed. Plan this in advance before framing to make routing easier.

Download the installation manual. Full information on adding gas to the Astria is on page 12.

 

[PhryGuy]

This is very helpful. Thank you!