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Outdoor Fireplaces & Fire Pits - Wood vs Gas
The Staff at Pine Brook Landscaping • May 10, 2019
Which Type Is Best for My Outdoor Living Space?
Outdoor fire pits and fireplaces
are a versatile backyard feature that can come in a variety of sizes and styles to suit your home and lifestyle. There are two types, distinguished by the type of fuel they are designed to burn. The debate about which type is better has raged for years, and it is hard to determine which side is right. Both sides have advantages and disadvantages to their use.
Wood vs Gas or Propane
Wood Burning
- A wood burning fire pit is meant for burning standard split firewood logs. A wood burning fireplace will add traditional authenticity and a rustic sense of style to your outdoor room or sitting area. A wood burning fireplace offers the crackling sounds of burning timber and unmistakable fireplace aroma that a gas fireplace could never provide.
Gas Burning
- Most gas burning fire pits run on liquid propane, but they can also be set up to burn natural gas. An outdoor gas/propane fireplace may be the way to go for those who enjoy the warmth and beauty of a traditional fireplace - but not the high maintenance. There is a wide array of design choices too from simple, traditional designs to elaborate tabletops and even flaming wine barrels.
Factors to Consider in Your Decision Making Process
- Costs & Installation - Gas outdoor fireplaces can be two or three times that of a wood burning fireplaces which can be built in 50% to 75% of the time it takes to install a gas unit. Also, you will need to invest in installing a natural gas line that runs from your main gas pipe to the fireplace area. In addition, you also have to pay ever-increasing monthly costs for the natural gas or propane that is burned. Wood is typically cheaper than gas as a fuel, however it’s important to also consider your time as an expense. Even if you don’t chop and split your own wood, you’ll still have to spend time ordering and stacking it.
- Fuel Availability - Do you live in a remote rural area with plenty of firewood nearby? Or a suburban home with a gas line already in place? Also consider that if you are burning propane, your property needs to be accessible to the delivery truck.
- Fuel Storage - A propane-burning fire pit will require a 15 to a 100-gallon tank storage tank, depending how often you will use it. So it’s not an eyesore, be sure to either put it in an out of the way location or come up with a creative landscaping solution to hide it. Firewood also requires storage space on your property without it detracting from your home’s appearance. But don’t stack it against a wood framed house - firewood can harbor termites!
- Convenience of Use - Gas is undoubtedly far easier to use than wood. Starting a gas fire is simply a matter of flipping a switch and holding a lighter to it. Wood burning fireplaces require a lot of cleaning and maintenance to remove the buildup of creosote as well as the frequent removal and disposal of ashes. Also, firewood can be messy; if you don’t want to deal with sweeping up bits of bark you might be happier with gas.
- Safety - With gas, there is the possibility of gas leaks. However, this is very rare when a fire pit is professionally installed. With firewood, basic safety measures should always be taken, which include wood cutting with extreme caution, building the fire properly in the fire pit and extinguishing your fire when finished, to name a few.
- Environmental Considerations - Wood is a renewable resource, unlike gas. However, gas is far more clean burning than wood, so environmentally it’s a toss-up. Certainly, if you or a family member has asthma or is sensitive to smoke, gas may be a better option for you.
Trouble Deciding? PINEBROOK Can Help Make An Educated Decision
So there you have it: The pros and cons of gas/propane vs. wood-burning fireplaces and fire pits
for your family. Ultimately, the biggest factor is simply personal choice. For some folks, a fire just wouldn’t be the same without the crackle and smoky aroma of a good old-fashioned wood fire. Others prefer the clean-burning convenience of gas. If you have questions about installing the right fire pit or any other residential hardscaping project, we’d be happy to help. Click to contact us online or call 267-718-1771 for personal assistance from our design and installation experts!
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