How do I decorate a gas fireplace like a real fireplace?

The gas fireplace is gaining popularity

A wood-burning fireplace offers a lot of romance, but also has a number of disadvantages that a gas-fired fireplace does not have. A list of the advantages of a gas fireplace:

- No carrying of fireplace wood.

- No hassle lighting the fireplace.

- No ashes to clean up.

- No problems with a poor draft in the fireplace, although there are also requirements for the installation of a gas fireplace.

- The fireplace can be switched on and off as required and does not remain hot. You can safely leave the house or go to sleep after turning off the fireplace.

- No fire sparks can enter the room.

- Burning gas results in fewer CO2 emissions and emissions of fine particles than burning wood.

- A gas fireplace can be installed almost anywhere in the house, because the venting is possible not only through the roof but also through the facade of the house.

A disadvantage of gas is that, unlike wood, it is not a renewable fuel. It is nevertheless possible to burn in a gas fireplace in an environmentally friendly way. This is possible because the fireplace is easy to switch on and off and can only be lit if someone is in the room where the fireplace is located. You can also control the temperature of the gas fireplace. When the temperature set lower, the fireplace becomes more of a source of atmosphere than of heat.

Gas fireplace decorated as wood-burning fireplace with a fireplace grate

In addition, it is not necessary for a gas fireplace to have a natural gas connection. Many gas fireplaces can function on propane (bottles or a tank) or can be converted for this. Bio LPG is an environmentally friendly alternative.

No wonder gas fireplaces are popular. But it is also nice if the gas fireplace looks as much as possible like a real wood-burning fireplace. Below are a number of steps that can be followed to make a gas fireplace look like a real fireplace. Antique fireplace accessories play a leading role in this.

Gas fireplace decorated as wood-burning fireplace

Towards a gas fireplace that looks like a 'real' fireplace

Step 1 | Install the burner bed on andirons with a grate or in a fire basket

A crucial part of the gas fireplace is the burner bed, which must be installed in the fireplace, complete with a gas pipe. Andirons and a grate or a fire basket are an excellent basis for installing and keeping a burner bed out of sight. The lines can be concealed in a log under the grate. The burner bed later disappears under the logs. Antique andirons with a grate or an antique fire basket also immediately set the tone for the fireplace.

Select the andirons with grate or the fire basket in consultation with the gas fireplace installer. There are namely specifications with respect to the height, depth and width of the chosen burner bed and the logs. In addition, it is important that the andirons, grate or fireplace basket fit into the fireplace. The following article provides insight into the selection process for andirons and a grate or a fire basket: 10 Tips for choosing a fireplace grate or andirons.

Incidentally, our experience shows that not all installers of gas fireplaces are equally enthusiastic about gas fireplaces that should look like a real open fireplace. That requirement makes it more difficult for them to sell their own accessories, and it sometimes demands a few more modifications. Our recommendation is to look for an installer in those cases who is willing to meet that requirement, because there are plenty. Spurious arguments, such as that the installation then will not be insured, etc., are a clear signal of that lack of willingness.

Gas fireplace decorated as wood-burning fireplace

Step 2 | Invest in beautiful ceramic logs

Ceramic logs have all kinds of features. Choose a set that resembles real logs as closely as possible. These can, for example, be painted by hand.

Step 3 | Place a fireback against the back wall of the fireplace

An antique fireback instantly sets the tone for the fireplace. Firebacks can be real eye catchers, but they can also strengthen the fireplace in a subtle way. It is important that the fireback forms one beautiful whole with the andirons and grate or with the fire basket. The following article indicates which size fireback fits best in a (gas) fireplace: Which size of fireback fits in my open fireplace?.

In addition, a fireback also has a number of other benefits. In the context of environmentally friendly heating, it is important that the heat efficiency of the fireplace be as high as possible. A cast iron fireback that is placed against the back wall of the fireplace increases the heat efficiency by 50%. This effect is even greater if firebacks are also placed against the sides of the fireplace. Furthermore, the heavier the cast iron fireback, the more heat efficiency.

Gas fireplace looks as if the real thing

Step 4 | Place antique fireplace accessories around the fireplace

In addition to the andirons or fire basket and the fireback, you can also choose fireplace accessories that together form one beautiful whole and reinforce the feeling of a wood-burning fireplace. This whole is then a beautiful set of fireplace accessories. For a complete set, consider a fireback, with andirons and a grate or a fire basket, a fire screen, fireplace tools and a log holder. The log holder can be filled with wood and placed next to the fireplace. A fireplace screen makes a big visual impact and can make any glass plate in front of the fireplace less visible.

The antique fireplace accessories can strengthen the strong points of a fireplace and push the less strong points into the background. You can match the fireplace in terms of style or opt for contrast. Antique fireplace accessories also combine very well with a modern fireplace. The following article explains which choices you can make when decorating a fireplace using antique fireplace accessories: How do I decorate my fireplace?.

Gas fireplace decorated as wood-burning fireplace with antique andirons