If you are living in a bigger home or new home and are considering installing a new fireplace, you may have run across information about the different kinds of glass that fireplaces and fireplace inserts use. The most common types of glass that are used for fireplaces in North American homes are tempered glass and ceramic glass. The choice between tempered glass and ceramic glass can be a difficult one because the different types of glass will serve different purposes within your home and one may be more useful to you than the other depending on your situation.

Tempered Glass And Ceramic Glass

There are several differences between tempered glass and ceramic glass. Firstly, tempered glass is simply glass that has been heat treated so that it can withstand the heat from the fireplace. Tempered glass is much stronger than regular glass, but ceramic glass is much stronger than tempered glass. Ceramic glass is actually not glass at all. Ceramic glass is actually clear ceramic. But which type of glass is better for your fireplace?

Tempered Glass

Tempered glass is useful for some fireplaces because it is less expensive than ceramic glass and is quite durable. People will often use tempered glass on doors of fireplaces that they know that they will be replacing at some point. Over time, tempered glass can weaken due to the constant heat. The concern with tempered glass is that if it is running on a high heat and then water or moisture gets in contact with the glass, the glass could explode. Tempered glass may be perfect for your home if you will not be using your fireplace all the time, if you want to install fireplace doors, or if the fireplace will be installed in a very dry area.

Ceramic Glass

Ceramic glass would be the best choice for your home if your fireplace will be running at a high heat or will be used a lot. Ceramic is more expensive than tempered glass, but it is also stronger, more durable and is the choice people make when they want to be sure that they will not have to worry about replacing the glass. Ceramic glass is also safer than tempered glass when it comes to moisture. When ceramic glass comes into contact with water, it will crack before it explodes out.

Which Is Better?

Our recommendation here at Genuine Comfort for the kind of glass you should use for your fireplace is ceramic glass. We suggest getting ceramic glass for your fireplace because it is stronger and safer. Ceramic glass is better if you are installing a fireplace in a bathroom or outdoors where there is more of a chance that it will get splashed with water. Ceramic glass is also safer with children or pets who could accidentally spill water on the glass. However, if you are looking for a more economical option and are not concerned about water touching the glass, tempered glass may be the choice for you.

Do You Need A New Fireplace?

We at Genuine Comfort are experts in the heating and cooling industry and we specialize in installing fireplaces. If you are in need of a new fireplace or services to get your fireplace installed, look no further than Genuine Comfort. Contact us today for more information or to get a quote.

When installing a fireplace, there are many things that you need to consider. Some of those considerations include whether or not you want bricks or stone, what size of fireplace you want for the room, and whether you want a gas log or fireplace inserts. When making these decisions, it is important to be informed on the difference between a gas log and a fireplace insert first, as the rest of the fireplace will be built around the part you choose.

The Difference Between Gas Logs And Fireplace Inserts

There is a big difference between gas logs and fireplace inserts. Gas logs are ceramic logs that are placed like real firewood that have invisible gas pumped through them that can be lit at the touch of a button. They use natural gas to create flames and are generally used because they look visually appealing. Fireplace inserts are different from gas logs in that they are fireproof boxes that are placed into the stone or brick of the fireplace and use closed combustion to create heat. A protective layer of glass is placed on the room-facing side of the box.

Another difference between gas logs and fireplace inserts is that glass fireplace inserts create better heat than gas logs. This is because the heat is not able to escape through vents. While there are forms of gas logs that you can close vents and keep the heat inside, they are less common. There are also ventless gas log fireplaces, but these can cause a foul smell because they are pulling oxygen from the inside of the house. If the air the gas log fireplace pulls from the house has a lot of dust particles or other pollutants, those can be taken into your gas logs causing an unfavorable odor.

It is also important to note that there are a few similarities between gas logs and fireplace inserts. They both can be changed at will with a button or dial. They both serve the purpose of a fireplace and they each use gas. The divergence between the two fireplaces is that they use gas in different ways, give your home different looks and have different effects on your pocketbook.

Pros And Cons

There are several other considerations to make before choosing one fireplace option over another. As mentioned before, there are different forms of gas logs. Some require vents and others that are ventless can cause odors. However, there are some vented fireplaces that may work well in certain applications. Gas logs are better if you are looking for an option to make your room look nice visually. They are also less expensive than fireplace inserts.

Difference between gas logs and fireplace inserts

Glass fireplace inserts are more expensive than gas logs but can create much more heat. If you are looking for a fireplace that can actually heat your home but not create a lot of smoke, gas fireplaces are the way to go. Fireplace inserts also do not lose heat to the outdoors because they are contained boxes that do not require a ventilation system. Lastly, fireplace inserts are much safer than gas logs.

Our Recommendations

Here at Genuine Comfort, we are experts in the heating and cooling industry and specialize in installing fireplaces. As for what we believe is your best bet between a gas log fireplace and a fireplace insert, we recommend getting a fireplace insert overall. Of course, each home and family’s situation is different, but for the best price, heat, and safety we go with fireplace inserts. If you choose to get a fireplace insert, the brands we suggest are Lopi or Fireplace X. If you are needing a fireplace insert or gas logs installed or have more questions regarding the difference between gas logs and fireplace inserts, contact us today.

So, you want a heating option that is not only functional and practical but is aesthetically pleasing to the eye? A fireplace is a wonderful choice to fulfill those desires. But there are still many decisions to make regarding what kind of fireplace would work best for your home. Continue reading for a comparison of wood fireplaces vs. gas fireplaces.

What Is The Difference Between Wood Fireplaces Vs. Gas Fireplaces?

The difference between wood and gas fireplaces is pretty simple. One creates heat by burning wood and the other has pretend wood logs that have gas vents beneath them that create fire. Wood fireplaces have chimneys and need a flue to ventilate. Gas fireplaces function using a combustion and exhaust system that uses a sealed chamber and brings fresh air in from outside in order to combust. Gas fireplaces do not require a flue system.

Wood Fireplaces

Wood fireplaces are the traditional option for fireplaces and have been around for a long time. These days, wood fireplaces and wood burning stoves are not quite so popular, although they are nice to have in an emergency. Many people ask why wood fireplaces are not being installed as often despite how efficient manufacturers have been making them. The answer to this question is simply that wood has a lot of legal restrictions on it.

In order to use a wood fireplace, the wood essentially has to burn smoke free, which means that the wood has to be heated until it is scorching hot. A lot of states and cities are trying to decrease the amount of restrictions on burning wood, but the laws are unlikely to change quickly. Be sure to check the restrictions in your area. Many places also have green and red days which are basically go and no-go days for burning wood based on the fire safety limit.

Lastly, wood fireplaces require a lot of work to install. If you wanted a wood fireplace in your basement, ventilation would have to be installed all the way up to the ceiling, outside, up the side of the house to the roofline. Just the venting for a wood fireplace is extremely expensive to add and the application of a flue system is even more expensive than the wood insert itself. Not to mention, the cleaning that would be required to maintain a wood fireplace if it was used frequently.

Gas Fireplaces

Gas fireplaces are our recommendation here at Genuine Comfort. Gas fireplaces are more efficient than wood fireplaces because they keep the heat within the room while wood fireplaces need a chimney to get rid of smoke and because heat rises, a lot of the heat that a wood fireplace would give goes out the flue. Gas fireplaces can still provide heat when the power goes out if you are still hooked up to the gas. The other reason why we like gas fireplaces is because they can be vented pretty much anywhere in your house because they do not require an elaborate flue system.

Which Fireplace Is Better?

Our recommendation is a gas fireplace for a new install. However we suggest doing your research to find out whether wood fireplaces vs. gas fireplaces are better for your situation. If you decide to go with our recommendation, we suggest getting a ceramic gas fireplace with a blower that has a lot of settings. That way you can turn the heat up and down at your convenience.

Have More Questions Regarding Fireplaces?

Here at Genuine Comfort, we have many experienced professionals who are privy to top-of-line information about the heating and cooling industry. We would love to help answer any questions that you may have regarding fireplaces or other heating and cooling services. Contact us today for more information.

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