Propane Hearths: Beauty and Convenience (Part 1 of 2)

So many people forego the simple pleasures of a home hearth because they just don’t want to deal with the time consuming hassles of wood fire setup and cleanup – or the expense of installing a full-on masonry fireplace.

But what if you could get the benefits of a fire feature without those hassles?

You can – thanks to the power of propane.

Propane Hearth Basics

Propane hearth installations fall into two basic categories: standalone devices whose installation requires construction (propane fireplaces and cast iron stoves) and devices that you add to an existing wood-burning fireplace (propane fireplace inserts and log sets). In this first of a two-part post, we’ll focus on the former group; we’ll return to log sets and inserts in Part Two.

Propane Fireplace Consideration

If you choose to add a new propane-powered fireplace or cast stove in your Connecticut home, you’ll have to answer three basic questions:

1. How should it be vented? – There are three basic ways to vent your fireplace or stove: direct venting (a sealed box that vents directly outdoors), natural (venting relies on a natural draft aided by a door that opens) and vent-free. The one that is safest and most practical for you will depend on your home, local code requirements, and your budget.
2. How much space do I have? – Where gas fireplaces are concerned, size and power usually go together. You’ll need to know how much space you can spare for a fireplace, along with how much heat you’ll need to keep the room warm.
3. What do I want it to look like? – There are many finishes and trim features and options for your fireplace – from simple modern to more classic designs.

Stay tuned for our next post on propane fireplace inserts and log sets!

Looking to add a propane fireplace or propane cast iron stove to your Connecticut home? We can help! Our experts can help get you on the road to your dream hearth, with great options from Enviro, White Mountain, Mendota, Regency, Napoleon, R.H. Peterson, Hearthstone and Monessen. Contact us today for a FREE estimate on a propane fireplace installation!