Millennial homebuyers are increasingly looking for homes that have fireplaces when hunting for new homes. Whether the home you want already has one in place, or you are interested in having one installed, it’s vital to note that there are different kinds of fireplaces. While the whole mechanism may appear like a simple contraption, it’s significant to know the type you want or have.

Wood-Burning Fireplace

According to fireplace experts, there are four main kinds of fireplaces: ethanol-burning fireplace, wood-burning, electric, and gas-burning fireplace. When the term wood-burning fireplace is mentioned, the speaker is, in fact, talking about the old western/Laura Ingalls style units.

If you are among the homeowners who have always dreamt of owning and operating a fireplace with a crackling flame, then this is the fireplace to invest in. It’s a fireplace with a closed style, so you will not get any smell in the house. The wood-burning acts as an incredible source of heat for the household.

The wood-burning fireplace comes in various forms: the wood-burning stove, the fireplace insert, and the enclosed fireplace.

Gas-Burning Fireplace

For homeowners interested in a more cleaner fireplace, then the gas-burning fireplace is the one to consider. While wood-burning fireplaces are beautiful to look at, they do involve some cleaning-up the day after lighting the fire. This indoor fireplace, on the other hand, is quite easy to install in your home.

The gas-burning fireplace can either be a vent-less built-in or a direct vent built-in. These are the options you will need to work with during the selection process. Additional good news is that with this type of fireplace, you don’t have to worry about installing a chimney or vent in your home.

Electric Fireplaces

These are very similar to the gas-burning fireplaces in that their installation is quite easy. The electric fireplaces are cost-efficient to construct. Once built, the fireplace is in a position to provide you with the right amount of heat needed to keep the room warm.

It also comes in varying models. However, the more common models are the electric fireplace entertainment centers and TV stands and the electric mantel fireplaces.

Read More: 7 Benefits of having an electric fireplace at your home

Ethanol-Burning Fireplaces

Unlike the other types of fireplaces discussed above, this particular kind is not very popular among homeowners interested in generating some heat for their homes. If your main interest is finding a fireplace that can generate heat, then you are better off looking at the wood or gas-burning fireplaces.

But this is not to mean that there aren’t folks who install them in their houses. One thing to note about this particular type of fireplace is its ease of installation, the fact that it only burns ethanol, and that the fireplace comes in many interesting styles. You have the option of acquiring a tabletop or wall-mounted unit.

What’s more, you are also at liberty to acquire a fireplace conversion kit. This is a kit that will make it possible for you to convert the gas or wood-burning fireplace into an ethanol fireplace. It all comes down to what your heart desires, and your willingness to invest in your home.

Know What You Need & Want

Generally, adding a fireplace is not as complicated as some may want you to believe. But then again, you still have to make sure that you are making the right decision. And this is something that will require you to look at your current and future heating needs. Prior to starting the project, sit down and come up with a rough idea of the kind of look you want to achieve or how you intend to use the fireplace once the installation is complete.