Facts About Gas Fire Logs

Appearance

• Gas logs typically range from 12 to 60 inches wide. The logs are cast from molds of real woods, which are styled to look like split or whole log stacks. They come in colors that stay true to the look of woods. You can choose between sets that look like driftwood, birch, oak, pine, manzanita or walnut. Gas logs are designed to look exactly like burning firewood when they are lit.

Design Details

• Each gas log features the typical ax marks, knots, branch stubs and bark texture you would expect to see on real pieces of firewood. A bed of bright glowing embers and coals adds authenticity to gas log sets. Details like sand granules are incorporated into their bases. The sets also come with wood style grates. Artificial log burner systems replicate the dancing flames of a vibrant fire, according to the HPBA.

Flames

• The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) informs consumers about two types of gas logs on the market: "yellow flame" and "blue flame." Yellow flame logs "produce a very realistic and attractive fire, and will often be mistaken for a real wood fire." Blue flame logs burn hotter and cleaner, but they are "generally not as attractive as the yellow flame."

Installation

• The HPBA tells customers to use certified professional installers because they adhere to your city and state's codes. A specialty retailer can help you pick the right size gas logs for your fireplace. Installed units can be set to work by remote control, manually with a match, or automatically with a remote location switch. The two types of gas logs professionals install are vent-free or vented gas logs.

Vent-Free or Vented

• Before installing gas logs, consider the differences between vent-free and vented gas logs. The size of vented logs you can have installed will depend on your fireplace's flue size. Vent-free gas log sizes depend on the room's dimensions and the size of your fireplace. The major difference between the two types is that your fireplace's damper must remain open when using a vented gas log set, which means you will need to add glass doors to reduce heat loss. The HPBA says, "Vent-free gas logs are designed to operate with the damper closed."