Royal Creations Blog

Outdoor Fire Features:  Wood or Natural Gas 

Since we did our article on fire features last October, we have been getting a lot of questions about whether to use wood or natural gas when installing new fire features.  Here are the pros and cons of each so you can make up your mind on what you want to install. 

Wood-Burning Fire Features 

Wood fires smell wonderful as they crackle in the fire feature.  Unfortunately, that smell means particulates are going into your outdoor living space and out of the chimney.  Wood fires are more polluting than natural gas.  They also need constant attention to make sure the fire does not go out or start something on fire. 

Wood-burning fire features can burn a lot of wood.  That means you have to buy or cut wood and stack it somewhere in your yard.  The wood has to be stored properly, or critters will start to live in it.  It also has to be brought into the outdoor living area when you want a fire and kept dry during rain or other inclement weather. 

Wood-burning fire features can be customized more easily.  They can be located without worrying about whether there is a gas line nearby. 

Pros	Cons
Wonderful smell	Must source and store wood
The wonderful sound of crackling wood.	It takes skill to start a wood fire
Traditional	Must be constantly tended
More easily customizable	More polluting
	Produces ash that must be disposed of regularly
	The chimney must be inspected and cleaned yearly.
	An ember can ignite and start a fire.

Natural Gas Fire Features 

While natural gas fires don't have the smell and crackle of wood, there are very realistic artificial logs that are mesmerizing to watch.  Natural gas is less polluting than wood to burn, and you don’t have to store a stack of it in your yard.  You will be able to adjust the heat and flames coming out of your gas fire feature by simply turning the gas higher or lower.  Natural gas fire features can be used where it is not practical to use wood, such as along a bar, so guests can watch it while they eat.  Natural gas is also easier to cook with than a wood fire because the temperature and height of the flames are more easily controlled. 

In addition, natural gas fire features are very easy to start.  You simply turn on the gas and light it with a match.  Your gas bill will increase, but you won’t have to buy wood.  Natural gas fire features are easier to install than wood fire features, but you will need a licensed plumber to connect the gas line to the fire feature. 

Pros	Cons
Less polluting	Natural gas lines must be installed by a licensed plumber
No wood to source or store	It doesn’t smell or sound like a wood fire
Turn on and enjoy	Must be inspected and cleaned yearly
Easier to install	Not as easily customizable
More efficient in heating area
Easier to use for a first-time fire feature user
Safer with no embers to catch fire

We Can Help 

At Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping, we install both wood-burning and natural gas-fired fire features.  We will be happy to discuss the pros and cons of both types of fire features as they relate to your outdoor living space.  When you decide on the fire feature you want, our skilled Blue Crew will be happy to install it for you.  If you are thinking of having a fire feature installed, schedule a consult today to have one of us help you design and install the perfect fire feature for your needs.