Is a gas or wood-burning outdoor fireplace better?
In Clyde, the housing stock points the way. The 1960s-80s ranch homes here have dated fireplaces already ripe for upgrades, and outside that translates cleanly to a modern gas firebox — real warmth at a switch. Wood still suits an open lot, though Haywood's river humidity is hard on wood chimney parts. Fuel here is mixed.
Ranch-era homes, ready for an upgrade
Clyde is full of 1960s-80s ranch-style houses whose original fireplaces are dated and, frankly, ready to be replaced — we do a lot of insert work here for exactly that reason. When those owners extend the idea outdoors, a modern gas outdoor fireplace is the natural match: clean lines, adjustable heat at a switch, and none of the drawbacks of the tired open boxes they already live with inside. It's the same upgrade instinct, just moved to the patio, and it tends to be the piece of the yard that actually gets used on cool evenings.
River humidity is tough on wood chimneys
Clyde shares the Pigeon River valley's cold-air drainage and damp air with Canton and Waynesville, and that moisture rusts dampers and degrades masonry chimneys faster than drier ground. So if you want a wood-burning outdoor fireplace — and the crackle and coal heat are a real draw — it needs a stainless cap, honest waterproofing, and a chimney tall enough to draft in the valley. A sealed gas firebox skips the chimney-maintenance problem entirely. Fuel in Clyde is mixed, so we confirm natural gas or propane on-site; connecting either is licensed work we permit through Haywood County and pressure-test.
Our take
Upgrading a dated home and want low-fuss warmth that matches the rest of the remodel? Gas. Set on a real wood fire and willing to maintain the chimney against valley damp? That works on an open lot. We'll sort it on a free in-home visit, 25 minutes west of the Asheville showroom. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Clyde
We install and service fireplaces throughout Clyde and the rest of Haywood County — just 25 minutes west from our Asheville-area showroom.