When the snow starts flying in Central New York, nothing makes a home feel warmer than a fireplace. It's the natural gathering spot for family and friends, and the focal point of the room long after the fire goes out.
Syracuse Lightscapes designs and installs indoor fireplaces in Syracuse and Central New York, from classic wood-burning hearths to sleek modern gas and electric fireplaces. The same masons who build our outdoor fireplaces craft the stone surrounds inside. Here's how to choose.
- Gas, wood or electric?
- Converting an existing fireplace
- Designing the surround
- Fireplaces and TVs
- Safety and codes
- Our installation process
- Frequently asked questions
Gas, Wood or Electric?
| Gas | Wood-burning | Electric | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experience | Real flames at the push of a button | Crackle, smell and real wood fire | Realistic flame effect |
| Heat | Efficient heat, especially direct-vent units | Varies; open fireplaces lose much of their heat up the chimney | Supplemental heat |
| Upkeep | Low; annual inspection | Firewood, ash cleanup, chimney sweeping | Very low |
| Venting | Direct-vent through a wall or roof, or a liner in an existing chimney | Requires a chimney | None needed |
| Best for | Living rooms and everyday use | Traditional homes and wood lovers | Basements, bedrooms and condos |
Converting an Existing Fireplace
Many older Syracuse homes have a wood fireplace that rarely gets used because it's drafty, smoky or more work than it's worth. Converting it can make it the most-used feature in the house:
- Wood to gas: a gas insert fits into the existing firebox, usually with a new liner run up the chimney.
- Wood to electric: an electric insert needs only power, no venting.
- Refacing: a new surround, hearth and mantel can transform a dated brick fireplace.
Inspect first: Before any conversion, the chimney and firebox should be inspected for cracks, damage and proper venting.
Designing the Surround
The surround is what makes a fireplace feel like it belongs to your home:
- Stacked stone and natural stone for warmth and texture
- Brick, natural or painted, for a classic look
- Shiplap and painted panels for a modern farmhouse style
- Built-in shelves and cabinets on either side
- Mantels of reclaimed wood beams, stone or painted trim
- Linear fireplaces for a sleek, contemporary wall
Fireplaces and TVs
A fireplace and TV on the same wall is one of the most requested designs. It can work beautifully, but it has to be planned: every fireplace has manufacturer clearances for mantels and combustible materials, and heat rising from some units can be too much for a TV. We plan the fireplace, mantel and TV location together so the wall looks great and works safely.
Safety and Codes
- Permits: new fireplaces, gas lines and venting typically require permits and inspection.
- Gas work should be done by a qualified installer and pressure-tested.
- Carbon monoxide alarms: under New York's Amanda's Law, homes with fuel-burning appliances must have CO alarms.
- Annual inspection: the NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected at least once a year.
Our Installation Process
- Consultation: how you'll use the fireplace, fuel type, style and budget.
- Design: unit selection, venting route, surround, mantel and built-ins.
- Permits and preparation, including gas, electrical and framing.
- Installation and masonry: the unit, venting, stone or brick surround, hearth and mantel.
- Final check and walkthrough on how to use and care for your fireplace.
Love the idea of a fireplace outdoors too? Read about fire pits vs. outdoor fireplaces and our stone masonry work, or see more on our indoor fireplaces page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose a gas, wood-burning or electric fireplace?
Gas offers real flames at the push of a button with little cleanup. Wood-burning gives the classic crackle and smell but needs firewood, cleaning and chimney care. Electric is the simplest to install, needs no venting and works almost anywhere, mainly for ambiance and supplemental heat.
Can you convert my old wood fireplace to gas or electric?
Yes. An existing fireplace can often be converted with a gas insert or an electric unit. The chimney and firebox should be inspected first, and gas inserts typically need a properly sized liner.
Can I mount a TV above my fireplace?
Often, yes, but the fireplace manufacturer's clearances for mantels and combustible materials must be followed, and heat above some fireplaces can be too much for electronics. We plan the fireplace, mantel and TV location together.
Do I need a carbon monoxide alarm with a fireplace?
Yes. Under New York's Amanda's Law, one- and two-family homes with a fuel-burning appliance, such as a gas or wood fireplace, must have carbon monoxide alarms.
How often should a fireplace and chimney be inspected?
The national fire code standard NFPA 211, followed by the Chimney Safety Institute of America, calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected at least once a year.
Related Services
Warm Up Your Home This Winter
From stone wood-burning hearths to modern gas and electric fireplaces, we design and install fireplaces across Central NY.
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