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Building a Home Design Dilemma Fireplaces

A gas fireplace or wood/gas stove in new build house?

3 years ago

Hi everyone. We are in the process of planning to build a home. It’s with a builder company so not a lot of customization options available. I am torn on getting a gas fireplace or not. We have one now but we use it very rarely in the winter. I LOVE the look of a stand-alone stove and would like the idea of cooking or putting a kettle on it. However, we would have to do it after the building is done. I am also concerned with the resale value of the house with not having a fire place.

The house will be under 2800sqft and the stove would be in the great room.

thoughts?

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Comments (13)

Angel 18432
3 years ago
I wouldn't buy a house with a stand alone stove. Just my opinion.
anj_p
3 years ago
Builder grade gas fireplaces are IMO pretty low quality. If you don't think you'll use it and want to install a wood burning stove instead, go ahead. I wouldn't worry too much about resale when you haven't even lived in your house yet.

Also consider where you'll put the TV. A lot of floorplans from builders basically require you to put the TV over the fireplace, which isn't a great spot for it anyway. You'll avoid that problem if you forgo the fireplace.
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First, get another insurance agent! Many don't have a clue about these things! They get nervous because many inexperienced homeowners install the stoves themselves and then there's a fire because they didn't take all the necessary precautions. "But I SAVED money doing it myself!" From what I see the location is perfect for a wood stove or another gas unit. You already have a raised hearth and a non combustable back. The only place I might see a situation arise is the chimney itself. Today's stoves need a 6 inch flue. If your chimney is 8 inches you'll need a liner installed. That can be labor intensive but for a professional it's done every day. Go to a COUPLE of stove shops. Tell them what size area you wish to heat and they'll find the right size unti for you. Also tell them the dimensions of the raised hearth. The hearth might be too small for a wood unit, but only a professional can tell for sure. Also write down the height of the centerline of the opening in the back wall from the base of the hearth. I like wood fires. Not gas. But that's a decision only you can make.
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Maureen
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Don’t suggest getting a stand alone stove; if anything, I think it will be more of a negative than not having a fireplace at time of resale. Really comes down to practicality and your way of life though.

We love our remote controlled gas fireplaces and in cold weather use every day. Our previous wood burning fireplaces were used less and less over time for a number of reasons.
Jacqui Naud
3 years ago
Where is your new home located? I too would not buy a home with a wood stove. I’ve had one and it’s a lot of work chopping wood and cleaning out the ashes (which get all over the house). Plus, wood smoke is irritating and polluting. Many cities have banned wood burning in the winter. A gas insert is the better option. It’s clean and provides heat and the aesthetic of a fireplace.
littlebug zone 5 Missouri
3 years ago
I’ve had all - gas fireplace, wood fireplace, and free standing wood stove. I will never again have a wood fireplace and never EVER EVER again have a free standing wood stove.

It sounds so romantic to cook over a real wood stove, but trust me - it’s not.
Batool Sa
Original Author
3 years ago
It will be in Columbus, OH. So it is in an area with cold winter. I like fireplaces, but I hate that they take almost a whole wall. I don’t plan on putting a tv over the fireplace either.
Jacqui Naud
3 years ago
We heat the entire living space with our gas insert. We recently updated our fireplace and installed a new gas insert. Our old one was 15 years old and out of date. New inserts have more features, like remote controlled thermostat and regulated flame height. The fan that blows heated air into the room is quieter too.
Linda Dornan
3 years ago
I love my gas fireplace with remote start. I wouldn’t want a house with a stand-alone stove as I think they are unsightly.
doc5md
3 years ago
I like a stand alone stove... and cooking on them is fun with a cast iron frying pan. BUT, mine will be out in the workshop, not in the house :)
Batool Sa
Original Author
3 years ago
This is what I had in mind. I guess I am an old soul who is a rarity then :).
anj_p
3 years ago
I don't think these are difficult to install or remove. You can always remove it if you're concerned about resale in the future. For now, this is going to be where you live, so do what you want. I assume you plan to live there awhile. You can also add a gas fireplace in the future - just confirm with your builder that they can stub out a gas line for you to connect to.
Batool Sa thanked anj_p
Batool Sa
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you for your advice. This is what I was looking for. I am planning to stay there for a while of course. It is a just in case situation.
Kim Weaver
3 years ago
I am with you....in our first house we had a wood burning stove very much like the one in your picture. It heated our whole house. We had access to free firewood so we had free heat all winter long. Was also very nice when we were without electric from a winter storm. I also cooked on it some. Now we have a gas fireplace in this house and it is nice, I guess. We do miss the wood stove but not the dirt :)

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