Wood-burning insert vs gas insert — which should I choose?
In Arden the problem is usually the fireplace you already have — a tired open masonry firebox in a Royal Pines or Skyland home that pulls heat out of the room. A sealed insert turns it into a real heater: gas for flip-a-switch warmth on the natural-gas mains, wood for cheaper, independent heat. Both are a night-and-day efficiency gain over the open hearth.
Drafty open fireboxes, made into heaters
Arden's 1980s and '90s homes in Skyland and Royal Pines mostly came with open masonry fireplaces, and by now a lot of them are tired — they draft poorly and export more warm air than they give back, so the room near the fire feels great while the rest of the house cools. That's not a fire problem; it's an open-firebox problem. An insert seals the opening and runs a right-sized stainless liner, so combustion air is controlled and heat radiates into the room instead of rushing up the flue. Same fireplace, finally a heater.
Gas or wood, and the licensed line
You're on the natural-gas mains in Arden, so a gas insert is easy to fuel and gives you thermostatic, on-demand heat with no woodpile. A wood insert costs less per burn and keeps you independent of the grid and the gas company, at the cost of hauling and ash. Running the gas is licensed work — a showroom or hardscaper legally can't — so we run the line, pull the Buncombe County permit, and pressure-test before lighting. Whichever you choose, the liner is included and non-negotiable.
Close to the showroom
We're just 15 minutes away in Asheville at 629 Emma Rd, with gas and wood inserts lit side by side. Come feel the difference, or call (828) 545-0525 for a free in-home assessment.
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.
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