What is the best type of gas fire?
Gas fires have become a go-to choice for those who want the unmistakable warmth and ambience of a fire with real flames, without the hassle of storing logs or cleaning out ashes. With the touch of a button, you get instant heat and a cosy focal point that feels every bit as inviting as a traditional fireplace.
Thanks to advances in design and technology, today’s gas fires are not only stylish but can also be impressively efficient, making them a smart option for both modern and period homes. While gas stoves remain another popular alternative, this guide will focus specifically on gas fires, examining some of the main types, their pros and cons, and how to determine which is the right fit for your space.
Inset vs. outset and open vs. glass fronted
When you start looking at gas fires, you’ll notice they are generally categorised by these key features:
- Inset vs. outset:
- Inset gas fires are designed to be fitted directly into a fireplace opening or a purpose-built hole in the wall. This creates a seamless, tidy finish that sits flush with your wall or fireplace surround. They are a great space-saving solution and often lend themselves to a contemporary, minimalist look.
- Outset gas fires sit on a hearth or are wall-mounted, protruding slightly into the room. They are a good choice if you have a traditional fireplace and want to retain that classic aesthetic.
- Open vs. glass-fronted:
- Open-fronted gas fires offer the most authentic feel, with an exposed flame that provides the actual open fire experience. They are often slightly less expensive to purchase initially and are a great option if your central heating is your primary heat source and you’re looking for a more decorative feature. Some modern open-fronted models can still reach up to 74% efficiency.
- Glass-fronted gas fires have a fixed glass panel that seals the fire from the room. This makes them much more efficient, with ratings typically ranging from 75% to 95%. The sealed unit traps the heat and radiates it back into the room, meaning less heat is wasted. While the initial purchase cost may be slightly higher, the lower running costs and excellent heat output make them a wise choice if you plan to use your gas fire as a reliable source of heating.
Understanding flue types (and the right fit for your home)
Ultimately, the structure of your home determines the type of flue your gas fire requires. Getting this right is vital for both the safety and efficiency of your gas fire.
- Conventional Flue: If your home has a traditional chimney, you can choose a gas fire with a conventional flue. These fires use the existing chimney to expel combustion gases. However, because the flue isn’t sealed, they tend to be less efficient as a lot of heat is lost up the chimney.
- Balanced Flue: If you don’t have a chimney, a balanced flue is an excellent solution. These fires are completely sealed from the room and use a twin-walled pipe to draw in air from outside and expel gases. The flue vents through an external wall, making them highly efficient. They’re a popular choice for modern homes and new extensions.
- Flueless Gas Fires: These fires are designed for homes with no chimney and no option for an external wall vent. They use a catalytic converter to clean the combustion gases before they are released back into the room. This makes them very efficient, but they are designed with a lower heat output to limit the amount of gas they produce.
Choosing the best type of gas fire
With so many variables at play, the “best” type of gas fire depends entirely on your home, your heating needs, and your personal style.
- For aesthetic or decorative touch, an open-fronted fire with a conventional flue may be the perfect choice.
- For a primary heat source and maximum efficiency, a glass-fronted, balanced flue gas fire is hard to beat.
- For a home with no chimney or flue options, a flueless gas fire offers a safe and convenient solution.
At Something Different, our experienced team can adapt any fireplace to suit whichever type of gas fire you choose. We offer a huge variety of frame designs and finishes to help you get just the right style for your home. Our team can guide you through the options, ensuring the fire you select is not only beautiful but also safe, efficient, and perfectly suited to your living space.
Visit our showroom to explore a wide range of inset, outset, and hole-in-the-wall gas fires. Our friendly team is here to help you design a solution that looks great, works brilliantly, and feels just right for your home.