Outdoor gas fireplace vs outdoor wood-burning fireplace — which should I build?
Canton learned the hard way what water does to a hearth — the recent flooding along the Pigeon River ruined gas appliances and fireboxes across town. So build with that in mind. For an outdoor fireplace here, we lean gas for everyday use, but whichever you choose, the fuel connection has to be inspected and done right. Wood suits the higher, drier lots.
After the flood, connections get inspected right
The Pigeon River valley flooding hit Canton hard, and one lasting lesson was how badly water damages gas connections and appliances — corroded valves and fittings aren't cosmetic, they're a safety problem. When we build an outdoor gas fireplace or fire pit here, we run a new outdoor-rated line, pressure-test it, and pull the Haywood County permit so the inspector signs off on the connection. That's the whole point of using a licensed gas contractor rather than a handyman — the paperwork and the pressure test are what protect the home and your insurance.
Valley damp is tough on outdoor wood
Canton's valley floor holds morning fog and dampness that rusts dampers and chimney caps earlier than people expect, and that same moisture works on a wood-burning outdoor fireplace's masonry and steel. If you want wood — and on the higher, drier Bethel and Pigeon River Valley lots it can be a real pleasure — build it with a stainless cap and honest waterproofing, and keep up the annual sweep. A sealed outdoor gas unit handles the damp with less fuss. Canton's fuel is mixed: natural gas in parts of town, propane toward the ridges.
Our lean for Canton
For a fireplace you'll light often, without worrying about smoke or moisture-worn hardware, gas is the practical Canton choice — built and inspected properly. For the ritual on a drier lot, wood still works. We're twenty minutes west; call (828) 545-0525 for a free look.
Fireplace help in Canton
We install and service fireplaces throughout Canton and the rest of Haywood County — just 20 minutes west from our Asheville-area showroom.
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