Building a new home — should we frame for a direct-vent gas fireplace or a wood-burning fireplace with a chimney?
In Arden, natural gas is available and easy, which makes direct-vent gas the simple default for a new build. But take the local lesson to heart first: the older open masonry fireplaces around Skyland and Royal Pines are notorious heat-losers — don't frame a new home expecting an open wood fire to warm it. Choose a sealed gas unit or an EPA wood appliance instead.
Learn from the neighbors' drafty boxes
Arden's 1980s–90s homes came with open masonry fireplaces that pull heat out of the room — many actually run a net heat loss with the damper open. That's the trap to avoid in a new build. If you want wood, frame for a sealed EPA wood-burning fireplace like a Superior WRT4500 or a Regency, not an open hearth — you'll get real heat and clean burns. If you want gas, a sealed direct-vent unit gives controllable warmth with none of the draft. Either way, the goal is a heater, not a hole in the wall that leaks warm air up the flue.
Gas is the easy path here
Arden sits on the natural-gas mains alongside Skyland and Biltmore Park, so direct-vent gas is the low-effort choice — a Napoleon Ascent 36 or Heat & Glo unit lights instantly and vents out a sidewall, no chimney required. A larger great room can carry a Heat & Glo 6000CLX as its anchor. Still, the one-way rule holds: a wood-ready chase can always take gas later, but gas-only is gas forever. If wood might ever tempt you, spend the extra framing now while the crew's on site.
Permitted in Buncombe County
Running or extending gas is licensed work — a showroom or mason can't legally connect the fuel. We're a licensed gas contractor: we run and pressure-test the line, pull the Buncombe County permit, and meet the inspector. Deciding before the drywall goes up is far cheaper than opening finished walls later. Arden's 15 minutes south of our Asheville showroom — call (828) 545-0525 during framing week.
Fireplace help in Arden
We install and service fireplaces throughout Arden and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes south from our Asheville-area showroom.
Related questions
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