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How Do I... Choose a Gas Fireplace?
For instant heat and a cosy glow, nothing beats a gas fireplace – here's how to buy a new model with confidence
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning design and decorating questions. Here, Jeff Collins, national commercial sales manager at Real Flame, reveals all you need to know about buying a gas fireplace.
What styles are available?
There are so many shapes to choose from these days, including landscape, square, round, built-in, freestanding, single-, double-, triple- and four-sided ones. You can also specify styles to install in an outside room.
There are so many shapes to choose from these days, including landscape, square, round, built-in, freestanding, single-, double-, triple- and four-sided ones. You can also specify styles to install in an outside room.
Which ones are trending?
Landscape shapes with clean, minimalist lines are the most popular choice. People are also seeking out styles with realistic-looking media beds (the part that mimics logs) that give you the authentic look of a wood-burning fire.
Landscape shapes with clean, minimalist lines are the most popular choice. People are also seeking out styles with realistic-looking media beds (the part that mimics logs) that give you the authentic look of a wood-burning fire.
How easy are they to install?
Very easy. You can either install a gas fireplace in a working masonry fireplace or choose a style encased in a zero-clearance box. A zero-clearance box is a sheet-metal frame that goes around the fire to reduce the clearance tolerance from combustibles to between 0 and 100 millimetres. This effectively means you can safely install your gas fireplace close or next to combustible materials such as a timber shelf or cladding, or hang a television above it without fear of damage.
Very easy. You can either install a gas fireplace in a working masonry fireplace or choose a style encased in a zero-clearance box. A zero-clearance box is a sheet-metal frame that goes around the fire to reduce the clearance tolerance from combustibles to between 0 and 100 millimetres. This effectively means you can safely install your gas fireplace close or next to combustible materials such as a timber shelf or cladding, or hang a television above it without fear of damage.
Where can I install a gas fireplace?
Living rooms, bedrooms, alfresco areas – any spot where people socialise. They’re not suited to bathrooms though.
Living rooms, bedrooms, alfresco areas – any spot where people socialise. They’re not suited to bathrooms though.
When should I install it?
If possible, look to install your gas fireplace during the building or renovating process. Retrofitting is possible, but it’s harder and can be costlier.
If possible, look to install your gas fireplace during the building or renovating process. Retrofitting is possible, but it’s harder and can be costlier.
What do I need to know about putting in a flue?
All gas fires must be flued externally.
At Real Flame, we offer three flue-ing systems:
All gas fires must be flued externally.
At Real Flame, we offer three flue-ing systems:
- Conventional flue: A conventional, vertical flue system – suitable for rooms without an existing fireplace. If there is a working fireplace, it can be used as the flue.
- Balanced flue or direct vent: A horizontal or vertical flue-ing system that can be used in rooms where there is no fireplace or where you want to flue beneath the level of the roofline.
- Power flue: This flue system can be vertical, horizontal or a combination of the two. Great for high-rise apartments, the ground floor of two-storey homes and tricky applications.
What sizes do they come in?
Sizes go from around 600 millimetres wide up to 3300 millimetres wide.
Sizes go from around 600 millimetres wide up to 3300 millimetres wide.
What should I expect to pay?
Between about $3,000 and $25,000 (excluding installation). Generally, the price rises the larger the fireplace and the more sides it has.
Between about $3,000 and $25,000 (excluding installation). Generally, the price rises the larger the fireplace and the more sides it has.
What do they cost to run?
Anything from 30 cents to $2 per hour.
Anything from 30 cents to $2 per hour.
How can I make the most of my showroom visit?
Take a plan of your house, the dimensions of the rooms in question and, if possible, photographs. Site visits can generally be arranged too, which can be helpful.
Take a plan of your house, the dimensions of the rooms in question and, if possible, photographs. Site visits can generally be arranged too, which can be helpful.
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Find a heating contractor near you
Here’s the lowdown on this appealing fireplace style: