The fire you choose sets the mood of your interior. One tells a story of tradition and ritual, the other of calm, control and simplicity. Both a gas fire and a wood fireplace bring warmth into the home, but each in a completely different way. For anyone building, renovating or guiding an interior project, this is often one of the most important choices. Not only technically, but above all aesthetically and emotionally.

In this guide we help you discover which fireplace best suits your home, lifestyle or project. Not from a preference for one fuel, but from a love of architectural fire. We look at built-in wood burning fireplaces, built-in gas fires and the possibilities of a bespoke open fireplace.

In brief

• A wood fireplace gives character and ritual, with scent, crackle and a lively flame picture. A gas fire gives calm, control and comfort without preparation.
• Closed built-in gas appliances reach an efficiency of up to ninety percent. All Metalfire gas fires also run on LPG (propane), while keeping an optimal flame picture.
• At Metalfire there are two directions: built-in gas fires and built-in wood burning fireplaces from a standardised range, or a fully bespoke open fireplace.
• Both are developed in the same Belgian production environment, with the same engineering and quality standard.
• Since 2003 Metalfire has designed, engineered and produced everything in-house, which in the European fireplace market is the exception rather than the rule.

The difference lies in the experience

A fireplace is never just an appliance. It is a moment, a gesture, a piece of calm you bring into the home.

A wood fireplace is lively and pure

A wood fireplace speaks to the senses. The scent of burning wood, the soft crackle, the unpredictable movement of the flames. It is fire in its most natural form. Many people deliberately choose it to slow down for a moment, to cherish the ritual of laying wood and making fire. It is a kind of warmth you do not only see, but can almost touch.

A gas fire is calm and elegant

A gas fire brings a different kind of comfort. The flames are serene and balanced, the fire appears in one flowing movement. No wood, no smoke, no preparation. Just a soft glow that envelops the room. It is the experience of simplicity: a fireplace that always burns beautifully, at any moment of the day.

In short: a wood fireplace gives character and ritual, a gas fire calm and control. Which experience best suits your way of living?

Built-in or bespoke: two routes, one production environment

For both wood and gas, there are two clear directions at Metalfire. A built-in fireplace is an appliance from a standardised range with fixed dimensions and proven technical performance. A bespoke open fireplace is drawn and built entirely around the project, with dimensions, proportions and finish fully tailored to the interior.

Both solutions are developed and built in the same Belgian production environment. That is a deliberate choice. The engineering behind a built-in gas fire or built-in wood burning fireplace from Metalfire is the same as that behind the bespoke open fireplaces. As a result, the quality is consistent across the entire range, whether it is a series appliance in a new-build home or a unique concept in an architect's project.

The choice between built-in and bespoke is therefore not a question of quality, but of freedom and budget. A built-in fireplace offers predictable performance and a shorter process. A bespoke open fireplace offers maximum architectural freedom in form, glass layout and integration.

Design and integration in modern interiors

Both a gas fire and a wood fireplace can be an architectural eye-catcher. They just do so each in their own way.

Wood fireplaces add dynamism and texture

The flame picture of wood is lively and full of movement. That makes a wood fireplace fit beautifully in interiors with natural materials: lime paint, wood, natural stone, brushed metal. The fireplace brings a warm depth to the space, a kind of tactility you not only see but also feel. Especially in rural, organic or rustic interiors, a wood fireplace forms a natural focal point. Built-in wood burning fireplaces make that look accessible in projects with a tight budget framework.

Gas fires bring purity and discretion

A gas fire is known for its clean lines. The technology disappears completely into the background, so the design and the flame picture get all the attention. That makes gas fires particularly suitable for modern, minimalist and architectural interiors. The fireplace becomes one with the wall, one with the lines of the design. No visual clutter, only calm and refinement. Built-in gas fires from the Avenue range offer that purity in a standardised format, while bespoke appliances can follow the entire interior architecture.

Both fit contemporary design. The right choice depends on the mood you want to set. Do you want tactile, lively, almost artisanal? Then wood is ideal. Do you want quiet, pure, understated? Then gas is a perfect fit.

What about technology, use and maintenance?

For many people the choice between gas and wood becomes clear when they look at the practical picture: how does the appliance work, what does it ask of the home and what maintenance comes with it?

Gas fires offer effortless comfort

The biggest asset of gas is convenience. You operate a gas fire with a remote control or via home automation. You set the intensity of the fire yourself, without preparation. A gas fire needs no ash, no wood storage and little maintenance. The technology is quiet and reliable, with an efficiency of up to ninety percent for closed built-in appliances. A natural gas or LPG connection is needed, but once the appliance is integrated into the wall, everything falls away into the design.

Wood fireplaces ask for a little more attention

A wood fireplace asks for a few more actions: laying wood, lighting, refuelling, and periodic cleaning of the fireplace. You have to enjoy that. But it is precisely that ritual that makes the experience unique. You need a suitable flue and sufficient ventilation in the home. The chimney is swept annually to keep everything efficient. In return you get a lively, natural flame picture that is hard to match.

The difference lies in the technical experience. Gas feels like luxury and simplicity. Wood feels like an artisanal experience. Both are quality choices that suit a different lifestyle.

Sustainability and a view to the future

The energy market is evolving quickly. That is why it is important to know how wood and gas compare in a future-oriented home.

Wood fireplaces today and tomorrow

The wood fireplaces of today are not comparable with the appliances of twenty years ago. Modern combustion techniques ensure a cleaner and more efficient combustion that meets the strictest European standards. For those who choose renewable wood as fuel and have a well-insulated home, a wood fireplace remains a sustainable heat source.

Gas fires and the energy transition

Although natural gas is becoming less obvious in current policy choices, the gas fire remains relevant. Many homes are switching to LPG, and more and more regions are clearing the way for biogas. All Metalfire gas fires also run on LPG, while keeping an optimal flame picture. That makes gas fires future-oriented, especially when the appliance is prepared for alternative gases.

Metalfire's view on sustainable fireplaces

At Metalfire we work every day on innovation that respects both people and planet. From more efficient combustion to sustainable materials and future-oriented compatibility. We build fireplaces that are ready for the evolution of energy and design. Full in-house production in Belgium allows us to switch quickly when standards or expectations change.

When do you choose wood, and when gas?

The choice often comes down to lifestyle, home type and aesthetics. This guide helps you on your way.

Choose a wood fireplace when:

• you love the ritual of making a fire
• scent, texture and lively flames matter to you
• your interior may radiate warmth and character
• you can provide sufficient ventilation and flue outlet
• your home is airtight, nearly zero-energy or new build, and you are considering a built-in wood burning fireplace with external air supply
• you want to create a natural, authentic atmosphere

Choose a gas fire when:

• comfort and simplicity come first
• you have a minimalist, clean interior
• you want a stable and calm flame picture
• your home is airtight, nearly zero-energy or new build, and a built-in gas fire offers the most obvious integration
• you like working with home automation

Still in doubt?

That is normal. Gas and wood are two strong choices for completely different ways of enjoying fire. A good interior is not about the fuel, but about the atmosphere you want to achieve. Need guidance with your choice? Visit a Metalfire dealer, download the catalogue or contact us directly.

Metalfire's recommendation: let design be the deciding factor

Whatever choice you make, at Metalfire it is always about the beauty of fire. Our fireplaces are designed and built entirely in our own workshop in Belgium, with respect for craft, technology and pure aesthetics. Gas and wood are not opposites, but two ways to bring architectural warmth into your home.

Whether you choose a built-in gas fire, a built-in wood burning fireplace or a fully bespoke open fireplace, you work with a manufacturer that designs, engineers and produces everything in-house. In the European fireplace market, that is the exception rather than the rule.

Discover both worlds:

• Built-in and bespoke gas fires from Metalfire
• Built-in and bespoke wood burning fireplaces from Metalfire
• In-depth advice for architects and interior designers

About Metalfire

Since 2003 Metalfire has designed and produced bespoke fireplaces in its own workshop in Belgium. Our team of designers and engineers combines Belgian craftsmanship with technical expertise, innovation and craft.

We work on a project basis with architects on architectural interiors where fire is not an addition, but an integral part of the design. Thanks to technical guidance, detailing and bespoke solutions down to the millimetre, we support an integrated approach from design to delivery.

This page was compiled in collaboration with the Metalfire Design Team, made up of designers and engineers who develop gas and wood fireplaces every day for high-end architectural projects. Their experience in engineering, design and bespoke work guarantees the accuracy, quality and expertise on this page.