How to choose the perfect gas fire for your home

If you’re looking to add warmth and style to your home, installing a gas fire is one of the easiest ways to create that. The real flames and effortless control a gas fire provides, combines the cosy ambience of a traditional fireplace with the convenience of modern living. But with so many styles, sizes, and features to choose from, how do you know which gas fire is right for you?

Whether you’re renovating your living room, upgrading an old fireplace, or starting from scratch, our team of experts can help you choose the perfect gas fire for your home in Chingford, East London, or the surrounding areas.

Understanding your home space

The first step to finding the perfect gas fire for your home is understanding your space. Every room is different, and the layout, size, and style of your home will all influence which type of gas fire will work best. Taking a moment to assess your space can save time and ensure your new fire looks and performs perfectly. Here are a few things to think about:

1. Do you already have a chimney?
2. How large is the room you’re heating?
3. Do you want your fire to be the main heat source or a decorative feature?
4. Are you drawn to a contemporary, flush-fitting design or something more traditional?

Once you understand the space you’re working with and your priorities, it becomes much easier to choose a gas fire that not only fits your home but also provides convenience and style.

Choosing the right flue type for your gas fire

One of the most important factors when choosing a gas fire is the flue or ventilation system. These determine how safely the gases are expelled and have a big impact on efficiency and installation options.

If you have a chimney, a conventional flue can be used, though some heat may escape upwards. For homes without a chimney, a balanced flue vents directly through an external wall, offering excellent efficiency and clean heat. Flueless gas fires are ideal for homes with no chimney or external wall access. These use a catalytic converter to clean combustion gases before safely releasing them back into the room.

If you’re looking for more information on flue types specifically, you can learn more here.

Find the perfect style of gas fire

Each type of gas fire offers its own aesthetic and practical benefits. Inset gas fires sit neatly into a fireplace opening or wall cavity for a cleaner, more modern look, perfect for new developments or smaller rooms. Outset gas fires are positioned slightly outward on a hearth, creating a focal point with a traditional feel. Wall-mounted or hole-in-the-wall fires offer a sleek, contemporary look that works beautifully in minimalist spaces.

Each style can be paired with different finishes, surrounds, and materials to ensure your fire complements your interior decor perfectly.

Open fronted vs. glass fronted gas fires

Although both open-fronted and glass-fronted gas fires provide the charm of real flames, there are key differences. Open-fronted fires recreate the authentic look and feel of a traditional fireplace, ideal if you prefer a more decorative fire and want atmosphere over maximum heat output. Glass-fronted fires are sealed behind a pane of glass, keeping heat inside the room rather than letting it escape up the flue. These can achieve efficiency ratings of up to 95%, making them perfect for regular use as a reliable heating source.

If efficiency is your top priority, a glass-fronted, balanced flue gas fire is usually the best combination.

Heat output and efficiency

It’s easy to get caught up in how your fire looks, but performance matters too. The right heat output depends on your room size and insulation.

As a general guide:

• Small rooms: around 2-3kW
• Medium rooms: around 3-4.5kW
• Large rooms: 5kW+

Choosing a model that’s too powerful can make the room or space uncomfortably hot, while one that’s underpowered won’t deliver enough warmth. One of our professional installers can help you calculate the perfect balance for your home in Chingford, Essex, London and surrounding areas.

Modern features and gas fire design options

Today, gas fires come with a wide range of styles and features, from log effects to glass-fronted designs with mood lighting and remote controls.

If convenience is what you’re looking for, here are the models to consider:

• Remote ignition and thermostatic control for one-touch comfort
• Adjustable flame effects for ambience without full heat
• Smart integration for app-based control or energy monitoring

The right decision should complement your decor naturally while offering the perfect balance of warmth, practicality and every day comfort.

The importance of professional installation

Safety and compliance are equally as important as the style of your gas fire. Gas appliances must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer to ensure correct ventilation, flue positioning and long-term reliability.

At Something Different, our Gas Safe and HETAS registered team handle every detail, from helping you choose the right design to fitting your fire with precision and care. With over 40 years of experience, we’re proud to offer a complete service that ensures your new gas fire is as safe as it is stunning.

From fireplaces in Chingford to stoves, media walls, natural stone mantels, and fires, we serve homeowners across East London, Essex, and Hertfordshire, helping you find the perfect solution for your home.

Create your perfect gas fire

Whether you want a modern, glass-fronted centrepiece or a more traditional inset design, the perfect gas fire combines style, safety, and efficiency in equal measure.

Visit our showroom in Chingford to explore a broad range of gas fires and fireplaces. Our friendly team will guide you through the options, helping you design a fire that looks beautiful, performs brilliantly, and makes your home warm and welcoming for years to come.