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Chimney Services Blog

Should I get a Wood Stove or a Fireplace?

maryland wood stoves, maryland fire places, maryland fireplaces

Heating your home through the burning of wood is a great way to save money on your monthly heating bill. Not to mention, the look and smell of a wood-burning fire in the home is unbeatable. This brings us to the age-old argument of pitting wood stove vs. fireplace as we decide which is the best option for heating your home. Here are some things to consider:

Cost

First, let’s get the cost question out of the way. The cost difference between installing a wood stove over a fireplace is actually hard to compare. You will find that you can get a wide variety of different prices on fireplace and wood stove installation depending on materials, cost of labor, and size of the stove or fireplace. So, it’s best to get a free quote on installing either from your local Maryland fireplace installer and then compare the costs that way.

Aesthetics

Nothing beats the look of a traditional fireplace made of stone or brick. That said, there are many wood stoves which will look amazing as a centerpiece to any room. When considering how the fireplace or stove looks with a lit fire, a fireplace wins outright because stoves typically use glass doors and don’t provide a full viewing access to the crackling fire.

Safety

The safest option when comparing stoves vs fireplaces will always be a wood-burning stove. This is mainly because stoves are self-contained systems, so they burn off more of the by-products created from burning wood. Wood burning stoves produce less creosote build-up in the flue and limit carbon monoxide from back-drafting into your home. Lastly, because wood stoves can be fully closed, they can prevent sparks from jumping out and catching something on fire. The only safety downside of a wood stove is that it has more exposed surface area which, if touched, can burn your skin.

Efficiency

Most of the heat created during a wood-burning fire escapes through the chimney. That said, wood is a fairly cheap energy source so it’s not a total loss. When compared to a fireplace, a wood stove is much more efficient because it generates more heat while using less firewood. So, in the instance of efficiency when comparing a wood stove vs. a fireplace, a wood stove wins.

At the end of the day, the choice of whether to build a wood stove or a fireplace is up to the personal preferences of the homeowner. If you’re looking for something with more aesthetic value, the fireplace is your best bet. But, if your main reason to build a wood-burning stove or fireplace is to safely and efficiently heat your home, then the wood-burning stove is the better choice.

Regardless of which option you go with, it is important that you contract with a certified and trusted fireplace installation company in your area. In Maryland, the preferred fireplace installation team is Town and Country Chimney Service. Town and Country’s trusted team of experts has serviced the Baltimore, MD area for the past 30 years. For a free estimate, contact Town and Country today!

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