Not sure, but I know that I've enjoyed the heat of many more wood fireplaces than gas. Perhaps gas is hotter immediately at the flame, but a good size wood fire with hardwood can crank out major btu's.

I already had a set of doors from before conversion, and didn't plan to replace them--as you said, no sparks. Then, about the 2nd time I lit my new logs.....the thermostat cylecd them off, and when I looked up I realized that one of my cats had decided the warm zone behind the logs was a good place for a nap! I nearly had a heart attack trying to get to the logs to turn them off before the cycle came on again. So I guess you could say, I need a cat-arrestor. As for the ugly factor--check out the online catalog PlowandHearth--they have some that serve as art!

I live in the also-expensive Bay Area. Here's what I'm getting done for about $150,000 - Bathroom no. 1 - new shower, shower head and valve/trim, tiled shower floor and walls (fairly pricey tile), new vanity, vanity top, sinks, mirrors, lights, and faucets. Bathroom no. 2 - new tub, shower head and tub faucet/diverter/valve trim, tiled walls (fairly pricey tile), new vanity, vanity top, sink, mirror, lights and faucets, New kitchen - 11' against the wall plus 10' island, with all new fairly high-end (but not super-high end) appliances, new mid-range cabinets, Ceasarstone counters. New walls to enclose open area to create master bedroom, master closet, area outside master bath for another small closet. Plumbing as needed in connection with renovations of bathrooms and kitchen. Electric as needed in connection with renovations of bathrooms and kitchen, plus addition of some lights and switches. Sprinkler work (8 sprinkler heads either new or relocated). Paint throughout 2100 square foot condo. I don't see how you can do what you're planning for less than $300-400K.

In our previous home we installed a gas fireplace in footings left by the previous owners. I loved it. It warmed the basement nicely. Down side--keeping the kids away. It was flush with the wall and did not have a raised hearth that tends to stand as a barrier. When we moved I was not THRILLED to have a wood burning fireplace. We lived here a good 5/6 years before we ever used it. The mess in my living room was my main issue. We too have acreage=free wood but with no gas lighter, the mess of kindling etc...well all I can say is the candles that I burned in it were very nice ambiance. To convert, one has to run a new flue insert up inside the existing chimney. I am not sold on the "health" issues--anyone can find any studies to support their beliefs--but I can attest to what burning anything does to one's paint. I do not know if a gas fireplace would show lines where the rafters run under the dry wall like candles and wood fireplaces do. If I had an extra $5k and could be convinced running the gas line would not be hideous I would absolutely convert. My sis added one to her basement. Maybe it was a cheaper model but when it is on it actually creates a wind tunnel sucking colder air into the room. The venting/fan needs to be done well. On a side note our home also came with a wood burning stove which we used all day, all winter. It made the finished basement actually usable. A few years back we converted to a corn burner--so much less work!! Now we use wood pellets as the price of corn is prohibitive. Also I prefer not using FOOD for fuel. Filling the pellet stove once a day vs. every hour is a "GOOD THING". I believe there are many places that are outlawing wood burning fireplaces in new construction. As with the rotary phone soon there will be a generation who only know of wood fires in the back yard!