A gas fireplace with glass doors is the perfect addition to any modern home, providing a sleek and stylish look and an efficient and convenient heating solution. With the ability to control the temperature with just a button, these fireplaces offer the warmth and comfort of a traditional wood-burning fireplace without any hassle. The glass doors add a touch of elegance to the room and offer safety benefits by providing a barrier between the flames and the surrounding space.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal, gas fireplaces with glass doors are low maintenance and easy to clean. Unlike traditional fireplaces, they do not produce ash or soot, meaning less time spent cleaning up after use. They also do not require wood to be chopped or stored, making them a more environmentally friendly option.
Today I will show you some of the best gas fireplaces with glass doors. Keep reading below to see which is best for your home!
Types of Gas Fireplaces with Glass Doors
There are three main gas fireplaces with glass doors: vent-free, vented, and direct vent. Here are brief descriptions of these features and the unique benefits of each.
A vent-free fireplace is the most straightforward installation type, requiring no special tools or work area. The firebox is fully exposed in the glass, so you can see when you're burning wood or gas and adjust the temperature. The firebox allows a full view of the flame without obscuring your view as you would with a vented fireplace. Because there are no vents in this type of fireplace, there's less smoke and no chemical smell from combustion products. However, they can be a safety concern if not used properly, and they produce water vapor and carbon dioxide, which can affect indoor air quality.
A vented fireplace allows you to direct the flow of air. The primary advantage of this option is that it creates a natural draft that brings warm air from the firebox into your house, which can help improve your home's comfort and reduce your heating costs. This fireplace type also introduces extra heat into your home through the open vents and can make for drafty rooms if not correctly installed or used.
A direct-vent fireplace directly vents hot air from the firebox into your home. Because there's no fan to move air, this type of fireplace creates minimal drafts in your house, which helps improve comfort and reduces heating bills. However, there's no natural draft. Installation is more involved for this type of fireplace since you must install a chimney liner and draft hood. These fireplaces can also be heavy to lift, and some require at least two people to set up, so careful planning and preparation are necessary.
Benefits of Gas Fireplaces with Glass Doors
A gas fireplace with glass doors offers many benefits that make it an aesthetically-pleasing addition to your home that's easy to use, reliable, and convenient:
1. Get Comfortable Heat without the Unwanted Odor
The glass doors of a vent-free fireplace allow you to enjoy the warmth of a fire without the smoke and chemical odors. You can comfortably relax with your family and friends in the evenings without worrying about dealing with any smoke or chemical smells.
2. Long-Lasting Fireplace
With a gas fireplace and glass doors, you can enjoy your home's warm interior without worrying about frequent refueling or additional maintenance between burnings. A gas fireplace with glass doors can save on your heating costs and its beauty and convenience benefits.
3. More Width and Height, Less Depth
A gas fireplace with glass doors is smaller and lighter than other fireplaces, making it easier to install in various spaces. It is the perfect option if you're looking to install a fireplace in a smaller space like an apartment or condo unit.
4. Easy-to-Use Remote Control
Gas fireplaces with glass doors are controlled by remote controls that allow you to adjust your fire's intensity and warmth from across the room. The remote control lets you turn on the lights inside your fireplace, providing additional soft ambiance when sitting down for a cozy fireside chat with your loved ones.
5. Energy Efficient
Gas fireplaces with glass doors are highly energy efficient. The main heat source is the burning flame, not the pets themselves, which means much less heat is wasted. In addition, these types of fireplaces don't produce smoke, and smoke doesn't drift into your home, which helps reduce ambient pollutants and improve indoor air quality.
Popular Gas Fireplace Brands with Glass Doors
When shopping for a gas fireplace with glass doors, there are several well-known brands to consider. Here are brief descriptions of the most popular choices.
1. Napoleon
Napoleon is one of the most popular and well-respected brands available when building your dream fireplace, so it's unsurprising that they also offer a wide selection of gas fireplace options with glass doors. Their fireplaces come in various sizes and styles to accommodate your home and preferred style. They also offer different finishes like painted black or faux granite, giving you many options to match your home's decorating style while still enjoying the same quality feel as traditional fireplaces.
2. Fireside America
As a pioneer in modular fireplace design, Fireside America offers gas fireplaces that can be placed almost anywhere in your home. It's perfect for places with limited space or where you want the fireplace to blend in easily with the décor, like a powder room. They even offer gas fireplaces with glass doors that can be used as inserts for existing fireplace mantels. Because of their versatility, Fireside America is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a quality and versatile replacement or addition to their home.
3. Empire
Empire is another well-known brand for gas fireplaces with glass doors. They offer a high-quality selection of fireplaces that suit various tastes and budgets. Empire's products are well known for their durability, reliability, and consistency, so many homeowners choose them as their go-to source for gas fireplace options.
4. Buck Stove
Buck Stove Gas Fireplace offers gas fireplaces with glass doors perfect for smaller spaces, like apartments and condos. Their fireplaces all have a faux bronze finish that matches the same style, color, and texture found in their Buck Stove mantel grills, heaters, and hearth accessories. This design gives their designs the look of a traditional fireplace but with the functionality of a gas fireplace.
5. Superior Fireplaces
Superior Fireplace offers gas fireplaces with glass doors that are a great choice for those looking for a traditional look, plus the convenience of an insert. Whether installing a new fireplace or replacing your existing one, Superior Fireplace's double-sided firebox inserts allow you to fit your fire into existing mantles, giving you more space without taking up any additional room. Their mantles can also be used as bookcases in the family or small rooms.
How to Choose the Right Gas Fireplace with Glass Doors for Your Home?
Gas fireplaces with glass doors come in various sizes and styles, so choosing the right one for your home can be daunting. To make this process easier for you, here are some things to consider:
1. Size
Gas fireplace sizes are measured by their width and height. Width is measured from side to side, while height is measured from front to back of the fireplace area. When choosing your gas fireplace size, consider how you plan to use it in your home. If you plan on heating more than one room with your gas fireplace, look for one at least 36" wide or more because it will heat a larger area more effectively than a smaller one. A skinny fireplace may be more appropriate if you have a small room with a low ceiling.
2. Style
When choosing your gas fireplace's style, consider how it will look in your home's décor. Most gas fireplaces come in traditional wooden mantels or built-in contemporary styles, but gas fireplaces with glass doors can fit into almost any space. If you're unsure what style would work best for your home, look at some of the rooms you want to put the fireplace in and see what style elements you like best.
3. Add-Ons
Many gas fireplaces come with a mantel, but getting one without one is possible. If yours comes without a mantel, you'll need to choose separately. If your fireplace does come with a matching mantel, consider how you plan to use it. For example, if you have other furniture that you want to sit on top of or lean against for extra support, then you might not want to use it as a mantle. Another add-on that many gas fireplace brands offer is an electric fireplace insert. Add-ons are optional, but they can be a nice feature for some people.
4. Price
When shopping for your new gas fireplace, remember your budget and compare prices among brands before you buy. Gas fireplaces with glass doors aren't too expensive but can vary in price depending on the quality and functionality of the fireplace design. For example, a mantel-style fireplace insert typically costs less than a built-in model, so keep that in mind when comparing models.
Conclusion
A gas fireplace with glass doors is a popular choice among homeowners for its ease of use, clean burn, and low maintenance. Whether replacing an old gas fireplace or adding a new one, our guide to the best gas fireplaces with glass doors will help you find the perfect fit for your home. When shopping for gas fireplaces with glass doors, remember your budget, style preferences, and size of rooms to ensure you're choosing the right one for your home.