Gas logs are a stack of ceramic logs that sit inside your existing fireplace. Gas logs have a gas burner and they come in vent-free and vented options. Vented gas logs vent up your existing chimney. Vented gas logs are usually more for looks and aesthetics than for warmth. While they will emit some heat, they do not discharge as much heat as a built-in gas fireplace or gas insert.
A gas insert will sit inside your existing fireplace. Inserts produce a lot of radiant heat and warm air. Like gas logs and gas fireplaces, gas inserts come in vented and vent-free models. There are many options to choose from with the models that we carry, including the media (logs, rocks, glass) and front (door or window frame style front), as well as the finish of the front.
A gas fireplace is similar to a gas insert. However, the difference between gas fireplaces and gas inserts is that a built-in gas fireplace doesn’t require an existing fireplace or chimney. Similar to gas inserts and gas logs, gas fireplaces come in vented and vent-free models. Vented gas fireplaces exhaust the air through an exterior opening in your wall.