Gas logs were once very unique and distinct in design, and did not look realistic at all. Gas logs were formerly made of materials that looked very artificial, but today’s designs have improved tenfold to offer some very attractive and realistic looking additions. You can mimic the look and feel of a woodburning fireplace with careful arrangement and selection of gas logs available today.

Fireplace logs are the focal point of the fireplace hearth, and come in two main types: vented, and vent free. Vented fireplace gas logs produce no heat themselves, and simply serve as a ‘template’ to hold in the gas and lights. They are very realistic-looking, and are commonly found in starter fireplaces. The vent free logs will generate a lot of heat, and are more efficient at creating and distributing heat.

Fireplace logs are made from ceramic fiber and concrete materials, and natural gas is burned underneath them to create a more realistic look. This mold of refractory cement can lost a long time with the right amount of care and maintenance, and far longer than natural wood.

Log sets are available in a variety of wood ‘types,’ including birch, manzanita, pine, and oak. You can choose from split or broken logs for a realistic effect, or complete pieces that may come as a whole unit. Embers are also sold in separate pieces, allowing you to scatter a variety of logs and wood pieces throughout the hearth for a balanced effect. Stacking the gas logs in different ways can help mimic a real fireplace setup, and fireplace inserts can make this much easier. Some gas logs are designed to illuminate in different colors depending on the heat that is available around them, while others will have a consistent dark wood look and texture to them.

Vent free logs give you the flexibility of keeping the damper closed, and will heat multiple rooms together because they are more powerful. A vented fireplace will require that you leave the damper open so that carbon can escape easily. Vented logs burn gas very cleanly and more hotter than vent free logs, but are not as realistic looking.

Gas logs can be similar in construction and function to real wood, but they do not have the added effects of the burning or crackling sounds that often accompany a wood-burning fireplace. A gas log can be programmed to create the crackling sound, however, and many people select this customized option when purchasing the fireplace unit.