We are building a home and are in some disagreement about whether to install a count rumford traditional wood burning or gas fireplace. After 25 yrs of smoke in the house and the mess of wood I am ready for the ease of gas and have seen some really nice ones that have everything except the “hiss and pop” of real wood. My husband still has sentimental attatchment to the wood ad believes a fireplace can be constructed for a gas insert that can be removed when you want a “real fire”. Is this possible, practical and would it be alot more expensive (like how much more)?
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I've built a couple of homes in the last couple years that had Vermont Castings externally vented gas fireplaces installed; they're clean, quiet and very efficient.
I understand your Hubby's reverence for burning wood, but it has a lot of downsides, as I'm sure you're aware (the mess, the smoke, the dust, getting the wood and storing it and blah, blah, blah).
And the Rumsford fireplace design isn't exactly the best. If you build a traditional woodburning fireplace, get hooked up with a good mason with some track record with fireplaces and who knows how to match up the elements of of firebox, smokeshelf, air supply, proper flue size, etc.