Should I get a gas fireplace or a wood-burning fireplace?
Fletcher sits right on the Buncombe line, but it's Henderson County — and that matters, because the permit for your gas fireplace gets pulled with Henderson, not Asheville. On the natural-gas mains that run the I-26 corridor here, gas is the straightforward choice, and it's what most of Fletcher's 1990s builder-grade fireboxes are getting upgraded to. Wood stays an option. Your permit county and fuel are settled; use decides the rest.
The permit follows the county line
It's worth getting straight up front: Fletcher feels like south Asheville, but it's Henderson County, and the permit for gas work gets pulled there — not with Buncombe. That's not red tape for its own sake. A permitted, inspected gas line protects your homeowner's insurance and your home's sale; unpermitted gas or hearth work can void coverage and stall a closing. We pull the Henderson County permit, meet the inspector, and pressure-test every line we run, so the paper trail is right the first time. One licensed company handles the appliance, the venting, and the fuel.
Upgrading a 1990s builder-grade box
A lot of Fletcher's housing went up in the 1990s with basic builder-grade gas fireboxes that were never much of a heater. Since you're already on the natural-gas mains along the I-26 corridor, upgrading is easy: a modern sealed unit drops in and actually warms the room. If you want a contemporary look, the Napoleon Vector 50 is a 50-inch linear ribbon flame at 40,000 BTU; for a great-room centerpiece, the Heat & Glo 6000CLX anchors the space behind a clean face. Both vent directly out, no chimney needed.
Commercial demand, and the wood option
Fletcher also carries more commercial demand than the towns around it — offices and businesses near the airport want gas fireplaces and outdoor features, and we run the gas and appliance side of those, including a hard-plumbed Napoleon Uptown fire pit for a patio. Wood is still yours if grid independence matters more than convenience; an EPA firebox gives heat you own outright. We're 20 minutes south. Call (828) 545-0525 for a free assessment.
Fireplace help in Fletcher
We install and service fireplaces throughout Fletcher and the rest of Henderson County — just 20 minutes south from our Asheville-area showroom.
Related questions
- Which heats a room better, a gas fireplace or a wood-burning fireplace?
- Is it cheaper to heat your house with wood or with gas?
- Which requires more maintenance, a gas fireplace or a wood-burning fireplace?
- Which lasts longer, a gas fireplace or a wood-burning fireplace?
- Which adds more resale value to a home, a gas fireplace or a wood-burning fireplace?