Filter
Top Products
10naturalLiving ❙ Fall-Winter
naturalLiving ❙ Fall-Winter
11
existing chimney, though a flue liner or other modification
may be necessary. Vent-free natural gas and propane fireplace
inserts require no chimney or flue modification.
Manufactured gas log sets can be installed into existing
fireplaces with few modifications except the addition of a gas
line. Log sets are a popular way to upgrade wood-burning fire-
places so homeowners don’t have to purchase wood, store it,
scoop out ash and try to coax a fire out of reluctant logs on a
cold day. Gas logs — which realistically mimic a wood flame
and glowing embers — are designed to mimic actual wood
and are available in many varieties, including oak, birch, man-
zanita, pine, and walnut.
Gas stoves, fireplaces, fireplace inserts and log sets offer
a wide range of control options, including manual controls,
remotes, wall thermostats and remote thermostats. Most offer
blowers to help circulate the heat more efficiently. Gas inserts
and log sets can provide an alternative to existing wood-burn-
ing fireplaces without the hassle of logs. Gas stoves, fireplaces,
inserts and log sets can burn either natural gas or propane.
“Owning a gas hearth appliance isn’t as expensive as
homeowners think it is — especially if they have gas on site,”
Wheeler says.
Anytime Installation
Although many gas hearth products are installed in new con-
struction or as part of a remodeling project, that doesn’t have
to be the case. Depending on the model you choose, the heat
generated and local building codes, gas hearth appliances are
appropriate for every room in the house — even bathrooms
and kitchens. Be sure to have an experienced hearth installer
put in your gas log set or fireplace.
If you’re thinking of adding hearth appliances as part of new
home construction or remodeling, your architect or builder
can help you determine the best location in each room for an
appliance. A specialty hearth retailer is your best resource to
show you the variety of products available, discuss your
heating needs and help you make the best choice
based on your appliance preferences, decorating
goals and budget.
Before actually purchasing a hearth appliance,
you should assess your needs and do a little
homework to narrow your choices. In addition to
a building professional or specialty retailer, you
can find a wealth of ideas on the Internet or in the
fall/winter issues of home and lifestyle magazines.
The first consideration should be where an ap-
pliance will be located. Another factor should be
how the unit will be used. Operating and mainte-
nance costs also should be factored into your hearth appli-
ance purchasing decision. Ultimately, though, adding to the
beauty, comfort, style and value of your home begins with the
selection of a new gas hearth appliance.
“What’s better than turning on a gas log or fireplace with
the flip of the switch to have great ambience?”
The amount of heat
output and level
of ornateness of
appliances can vary
widely, so matching
a hearth appliance
to its intended use
is important. Do you
want to watch a
pretty fire, heat
part of your house
or both?
Freestanding stoves
are the most versa-
tile hearth product
and are available in
a wide variety of
sizes, colors and
styles for diverse
decorating tastes.
Stoves heat quickly,
and many feature
ceramic glass view-
ing areas to offer a
glimpse of flames.
Freestanding Stoves
F
or increased energy efficiency in your home and the am-
bience of a cozy fire, a freestanding gas stove is a perfect fit.
A versatile freestanding gas stove can be installed in
nearly any room for added warmth on a cold winter’s day,
which would allow you to lower the thermostat in the rest
of the house. Living rooms, kitchens and other gathering
places are especially conducive to the warmth of a free-
standing gas stove.
Advanced burner technology has helped manufacturers
develop gas stoves that feature large, dancing yellow flames
and glowing red embers that closely resemble a wood fire. In-
tricately molded and hand-painted logs that look like fresh-cut
wood also improve this authentic “wood-like” appearance.
In areas that experience power outages dur-
ing the winter, a freestanding gas stove can give
you piece of mind by being able to heat at least
part of the house should an outage occur.
Stoves are classified by the way they are
vented — top vent, direct vent or vent-free. Within
these classifications you can find a wide range of
available sizes and heating capabilities. Gas stoves
can range from small to extremely large, but
choosing a size is based more on the amount of
heat the stove needs to generate. One key to se-
lecting the right stove is determining the desired
heat level in the rooms that will require heat. A
gas stove must be installed a specific distance
away from combustible materials such as drapes
and doors, but that distance can be as little as four
i
nches, depending on the type of stove.
If you haven’t visited a hearth retailer recently, you
owe it to yourself to check out the wide variety of sizes
and styles of freestanding gas stoves. The appliances can
be constructed of steel, stone or cast iron, with porcelain
enamel finishes and high-temperature paint in an array
of colors to match your décor. Available styles include
contemporary, colonial, traditional, mission, art deco,
early American, French country and many others.
Brushed metals and high gloss porcelain enamel in
dozens of colors are frequent design elements on gas
stoves, while granite, marble or soapstone panels add
textural interest.
For Additional Information
Buck Stove Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.buckstovecorp.com
Fireplace Products Intl. Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . .www.regency-fire.com
Gas Products Co. Inc. . . . . . . . . .www.gasproductscompany.com
Harman Stove Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.harmanstoves.com
Heat-N-Glo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.heatnglo.com
Lennox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.lennoxhearthproducts.com
Napoleon Fireplaces . . . . . . . . . . .www.napoleonfireplaces.com
Robert H. Peterson Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.rhpeterson.com
Temco Fireplace Prod. . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.temcofireplaces.com
Vermont Castings, Majestic Products . .www.majesticproducts.com