Thanks for the thoughts and tolerance guys. I think direct vent are relatively good at avoiding Indoor Air Quality IAQ problems but would add the tighter and smaller the house, the greater the chances of exhaust contamination along with time used. Life safety codes require the use of CO detectors when including gas appliances and it seems barely 50% of homeowners maintain batteries and replacement. You don't add IAQ liability or risk when you go all electric. It seems most high performance builders are aiming for passive house airtightness, levels that many other building professionals point to as cost effective for most new construction. Exhausting things gets much harder at these levels. Many designers embrace the beauty of truth in materials. What could be more fake, than a hydrofracked fossil fuel behind a pane of glass that provides little useful heat? What is the real truth represented by the flames? New construction should include infrastructure costs like trenching and pipe drop charges per appliance. Of course if a client is willing to spend more and install gas stuff, I can always see the bright side that I will probably make more money.

My favorite when looking was the Neapolean see through option. It was around 2000 so I passed on it for it is for our man cave room. http://www.electricfireplacesdirect.com/products-accessories/built-in-electric-fireplaces/napoleon-50-in-clearion-see-thru-electric-fireplace-w-black-trim-NEFBD50H-NEFBD50H-DTRM

Thanks. Did you put in a linear fireplace? Which did you get and how do you like it? We are trying to decide between linear fireplace with TV above or offset fireplace (linear/traditional/vertical) and offset TV. I tend to like the offset but not sure how it will affect resale.

I'm putting a 36" linear in a wall that is 73", window to window. Most importantly because the existing gas fireplace is 36" and I don't want to pay to have all of that rebuilt. The current surround, builder special of wood sides and mantel and a bit of marble around the fireplace opening, is 60". We're flexible on the new surround - again wood with marble but at least it will be something that looks like it was designed in this century - but am sticking with the current dimensions or a smidge wider so no major drywall repair or painting has to happen to the large 2-story wall. This project will start...soon. Down payment made in February, along with full payment for fireplace which I don't think has yet arrived so I guess the sliver lining is that I haven't had a gaping hole in my wall during all of this stay at home and contractor not working. A 36" linear is also exponentially less expensive than anything larger, but if you're rebuilding the whole box I guess you can choose what you want. This is the 36" model we're getting. Someday. That ^^^ stone wall is wider than 66" and wider than my planned 60" space, so the fireplace will not look as "small" as it does here. Don't forget that your linear fireplace will be higher off the floor; I think mine requires installation at least 8" above the floor/hearth. I don't understand the rest of your question; not sure how stairs and fireplace location work. But stone on stairs I assume requires some extra support?