erikahollister's Journal, 16 October 2016

I say gas. Make sure to get a carbon monoxide alarm! Better to be safe 🙂 

There are advantages and disadvantages to both. The wood stove has a higher heat output, and the fuel can be free if you're good at scavenging. The gas stove is easier, with no ashes to dispose of, but can get pricey, depending on the gas prices in your area. Personally, I love the smell of wood burning. I have a wood fireplace, and right now, there is an abundance of free wood because of all the downed trees. 

Just to throw in something else: I have seen some really great electric fireplaces - thinking of getting one myself. Especially if it is recreational and not regular heat, the electric just throw the switch and go. In a sunroom, you would be surprised at how hot it will get in there - I have a space that in an enclosed porch as you describe and it warms right up in there, I don't need supplemental heat. Good luck - let us know what you get! 

Congrats on your new glassed in outdoor room Erika!!! Really enjoy the convenience of my gas fireplace. Admittedly I am not the type to enjoy scavenging around for wood in our West Coast rain forest weather, nor do I need an extra chore lol. But it would be increased activity for sure!!! ;-) Either way is a win-win. Look forward to hearing more. 

I put a vent-free gas fireplace in my living room when I first moved in and I love it. I admit that I love the smell of a wood fire, but I already had gas in the house and I had no chimney so really no choice but I'm lazy so I probably would have gone for the gas anyway. My mom had a sun room and it was great. Enjoy! 

Thanks everyone! 

Hi Erika, We just enclosed our front porch, insulated, great windows all the way around. There is no heat out there so we purchased a cute little "fireplace" electric heater, looks like a little wood burning stove with very real looking flames but is an electric heater. Our room is about 12' x 16' and directly off the living room so it should be easy to keep warm. We do have a pellet stove in the living room that heats the whole house nicely and a wood burning fireplace in the living room. The flames are so nice to watch especially when the snow is hitting the windows (which is coming soon!). I am a little leary of gas logs unless they are well vented. Good luck choosing. Evie 

I also would opt for a real-looking electric fireplace heater. 

Thanks everyone. I'll look into the electric; I hadn't considered it. 

Wood gets my vote. We have had all three at one time or another. The two gas ones we have now just do not put out like the wood ones. It disappoints me :( Looks fake, doesn't crackle. You know they say that wood heats you twice, burns calories ( could kill your back!!) Hmmm, I didn't know I had such strong feelings about stoves!! :)  

I'm pretty nostalgic for real wood too. I'm worried that if I make the practical choice and go for the easy gas, that I'll be disappointed every time I light the fire! 

Gas might be better for your respiratory system, especially if you think you might use it often.  

That's true. We heated with wood once upon a time, and got rid of it, because I didn't want my babies breathing the fly ash!