Wood-burning insert vs gas insert — which should I choose?
Fletcher sits squarely on the natural-gas mains, so a gas insert is the path of least resistance here — easy to fuel, thermostatic, lit at a switch, and a clean upgrade from the builder-grade fireboxes in the 1990s subdivisions. Choose a wood insert only if you want independent heat and enjoy the work. Either way you're sealing an inefficient open firebox into a real heater.
On the mains — but still licensed work
Being on the natural-gas mains is Fletcher's advantage: running gas to a new insert is straightforward, and you skip the propane tank entirely. What doesn't change is the law — in North Carolina, connecting or extending a gas line is licensed work. A showroom or a general contractor can sell you a firebox, but they legally can't make it burn. We run the line, pull the Henderson County permit, and pressure-test it before the first flame, so the work protects your home sale and your insurance down the road.
Upgrading builder-grade fireboxes
A lot of Fletcher's 1990s subdivisions and newer I-26 corridor homes came with basic builder-grade gas or prefab fireboxes — fine for looks, thin on heat. A modern gas insert steps that up to a sealed, efficient heater that holds a room temperature and lights instantly. If you'd rather have wood, a wood insert brings genuine, grid-independent heat and the cheapest fuel if you've got a source — it just adds the chores. Both installs include a correctly sized stainless liner; that part is non-negotiable.
Twenty minutes to the showroom
There's steady commercial and residential demand out here, and we cover it. Our Asheville showroom is 20 minutes away with both inserts burning. Call (828) 545-0525 for a free in-home 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.
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