Frequently Asked Questions
Honest answers about choosing, buying, installing, and living with a fireplace in Niagara—straight from 40 years on Drummond Road.
4.8★
435+ Google reviews
10YR
Warranty on our installs
40+
Years serving the Niagara Peninsula
130+
Units burning in the showroom
100%
In-house service team & certified gas fitters
Choosing the Right Fireplace
How do I choose between a gas, wood, and electric fireplace?
Gas is the easy favourite—real flame, instant on and off with a remote, and steady heat with almost no upkeep. Wood is for the purist who loves the crackle and the ritual and doesn't mind hauling logs. Electric goes anywhere there's an outlet—no venting, no gas line—so it's perfect for condos, basements, and bedrooms. The right answer depends on your room and how you live; tell us about both and we'll point you to the fit. Our Find Your Fireplace tool is a good place to start.
What's the difference between a fireplace, an insert, and a stove?
A fireplace is built into the wall—new framing or a brand-new opening. An insert slides into an existing masonry fireplace and turns that drafty hole into an efficient heater. A freestanding stove sits out in the room and can go anywhere we can vent it—a corner, a basement, a cabin. Same fuels across all three; the right one usually depends on what you're starting with.
Which fireplace is right for my room?
Start with the room, not the spec sheet—your wall, your style, and how your family gathers. Our online Find Your Fireplace tool narrows 130+ options in a couple of minutes, and then you can come compare your shortlist burning side by side on the showroom floor.
Can I put a fireplace on any wall?
Almost always. Gas and wood units need a venting path to the outside, so an exterior wall is simplest—but with the right venting we can put one on plenty of interior walls too. Electric needs nothing but an outlet, so it truly goes anywhere. Send us a photo of the wall and we'll tell you exactly what's possible.
Can I convert my old wood-burning fireplace to gas?
Usually yes—and it's one of the most popular upgrades we do. A gas insert drops into the existing masonry opening, vents up the old chimney, and turns a heat-losing hole in the wall into a clean, efficient heater you light with a remote. A gas log set is another option if you want the look with less commitment.
How big a fireplace do I need to heat my room?
Bigger isn't always better—an oversized unit can drive you right out of the room. Heat output is measured in BTUs, and the right number depends on your square footage, ceiling height, insulation, and whether it's the main heat or a cozy supplement. We size it for your space so you're comfortable, not roasted. The instant estimate is a good first step.
Gas Fireplaces
Will my gas fireplace work during a power outage?
Most of ours will. Gas units light on a standing pilot or battery-backup ignition, so when the power blinks—which, between the lakes, happens a handful of times a winter—you still have heat and light. If outage-proofing matters to you, ask us to spec a millivolt or battery-backup model.
Do gas fireplaces actually heat a room, or are they just for looks?
They genuinely heat. A direct-vent gas fireplace can warm the room it's in and take real load off your furnace—a lot of our customers zone-heat the rooms they actually use and turn the whole-house thermostat down. If you want maximum output we'll point you to the high-heat models; if you mostly want ambiance, there are units tuned for that too.
Should I get natural gas or propane?
If you've got a natural-gas line at the house, that's almost always the simpler, cheaper-to-run choice. If you're rural or off the gas grid, propane does the same job from a tank. Most fireplaces can be set up for either—just tell us what you have and we'll match the unit and the orifice to it.
Do you install vent-free (ventless) gas fireplaces?
No—and that's the honest answer for anyone in Ontario. Vent-free units aren't permitted under Canadian code, so every gas fireplace we install is properly vented to the outside, either direct-vent or up a chimney. It's safer, and it's the law here. We'll make sure yours is vented right.
What are gas logs, and how are they different from a gas fireplace?
Gas logs are a burner-and-log set that drops into an existing wood-burning fireplace to give you flame at the flip of a switch—no hauling wood, no ash. They're more about the look than maximum heat (a sealed gas insert heats better), but they're a quick, affordable way to make a dead fireplace useful again. We sell and install both.
Wood, Pellet & Chimneys
Are wood-burning fireplaces still worth it?
For the right person, absolutely. Nothing beats the crackle, the smell, and the heat of a real wood fire—and modern EPA-rated units burn far cleaner and hotter than the old ones. If you love the ritual and don't mind sourcing wood, we'll set you up with a unit and a W.E.T.T.-certified install done right.
What is W.E.T.T. certification, and why does it matter?
W.E.T.T. (Wood Energy Technology Transfer) is the Canadian standard for safe wood-burning installation and inspection. It matters for your safety and often for your home insurance. Our wood projects run through our W.E.T.T.-certified install partner with One Stop managing the job end to end—so it's done to code and you've got the paperwork to prove it.
Do you sell and service pellet stoves?
Yes. A pellet stove is a great middle ground—the warmth and look of a real fire with the convenience of a hopper you fill and an auger that feeds it. We sell them, and our in-house team services them (augers, igniters, gaskets, the works), whether or not we sold you the unit.
How often does a wood fireplace or chimney need cleaning?
As a rule, once a year for a regularly used wood fireplace or stove—more if you burn a lot. Annual sweeping clears the creosote that causes chimney fires, and a good inspection catches small problems early. We can arrange the sweep and inspection through our W.E.T.T.-certified partner.
Electric Fireplaces
Do electric fireplaces actually put out heat?
They do—most plug into a standard outlet and throw enough heat to take the chill off a bedroom, office, or basement (bigger open spaces are better served by gas). The real draw is flexibility: realistic flame effects you can run with or without the heat, year-round, and no venting at all.
Where can I put an electric fireplace?
Just about anywhere with an outlet—no chimney, no gas line, no exterior wall required. That makes them ideal for condos and apartments, finished basements, bedrooms, and rentals. Wall-mount, built-in, or a freestanding stove style—we carry all three. Browse electric fireplaces.
Cost & Financing
How much does a fireplace cost installed?
It depends on the unit, the venting, and the finish work around it—which is exactly why our website gives you an instant estimate in a couple of minutes instead of a made-up number. From there it's showroom, in-home visit, firm price. The whole point of the system is no surprises.
What's included in your installed price?
A real quote from us covers the unit, the venting, the gas or electrical hookup, the labour, and the permits—the whole job, managed by one shop and backed by our 10-year warranty. No "and then the gas guy bills you separately" surprises. We spell out exactly what's included before any work starts.
Can I get a price without coming into the store?
Yes—that's what the instant estimate is for. Answer a few questions about your space and you'll get a real ballpark range emailed to you in minutes, no salesperson required. When you're ready, we firm it up at the showroom or an in-home visit.
Do you offer financing?
Ask us in the showroom—we'll talk through what makes sense for your project honestly, including whether financing is even the right move at today's rates. Call us and we'll walk through the options.
Installation & Process
Do you install the fireplaces yourselves, or use subcontractors?
Gas and electric installs are our own certified gas fitters—the same in-house team that services what we sell. Wood projects run through our W.E.T.T.-certified install partner with One Stop managing the job end to end. Either way, one shop owns the result, and the 10-year warranty (and the phone number you call) is ours.
How long does a fireplace installation take?
A straightforward insert or a gas-log set can often be done in a day; a brand-new built-in with fresh venting and finish work runs a couple of days. We give you a realistic timeline up front—and because it's our own crew, we're not waiting on a subcontractor's schedule.
Do you handle the permits and the gas line?
Yes—we take care of the whole thing. Gas work in Ontario has to be done by registered fitters and properly permitted, and that's on us, not you. We pull what's needed, run the gas line, vent it to code, and leave you with a job that passes inspection.
We're building or renovating—when should we get you involved?
Early. Bring us in before the walls close up and we can size the unit, spec the framing, and rough in the gas and venting in the right spot the first time—which saves money and headaches versus retrofitting later. Designing a new home or addition? Let's talk at the drawing stage.
Can you remove my old fireplace and put in a new one?
That's a big part of what we do. Old prefab falling apart, or a builder-grade unit you never liked? We pull it, fix the framing and venting, and install something you'll actually want to use—any fuel type. Tell us what you've got on the contact page.
Service, Repair & Warranty
Do you service fireplaces you didn't install?
Yes. Our in-house team services every major hearth brand across the Niagara Peninsula, whether or not we sold you the unit. Pilot won't stay lit, fan rattling, remote dead, or just overdue for a tune-up—book a service visit and we'll sort it out.
What does your 10-year warranty cover?
It covers our installations, honoured by the same in-house team that did the work—no third-party runaround. We built it because a shop that cares about you after the sale shouldn't be the exception. Ask us and we'll walk you through exactly how it applies to your project.
My pilot won't stay lit or my fireplace won't start—can you fix it?
Almost certainly—those are two of the most common calls we get, usually a thermocouple, a thermopile, or a dirty pilot. Our certified gas fitters carry the common parts, so a lot of repairs are a single visit. Book a service call, or if there's no heat and it's cold, just phone us and we'll prioritize you.
How fast can you come out for a repair?
Most service calls happen within days—not the six weeks you'll hear elsewhere—because it's our own team, not a subcontractor's queue. No heat in winter or a smell of gas jumps the line; call us directly for anything that can't wait.
Do I need an annual fireplace inspection or tune-up?
For gas units we recommend a tune-up before the burning season—it catches small issues early and keeps a newer unit's manufacturer warranty in good standing. We call our annual customers every August so it's handled before the fall rush. Wood units should be swept and inspected yearly.
Outdoor Living
Do you do outdoor fireplaces and fire pits?
We do—outdoor-rated fireplaces, fire pits, and gas fire tables built to handle Niagara's weather, so your patio season runs longer. See what's possible at Outdoor Living.
Do you sell grills and build outdoor kitchens?
Yes—premium grills and full outdoor-kitchen builds, from a built-in grill island to the whole setup with storage and a fridge. Have a look at BBQs & Grills and Outdoor Kitchens, then tell us what you're dreaming up.
Tubular Skylights
What's a tubular skylight, and do you install them?
We do—we're one of the few Solatube dealers in the area. A tubular skylight catches daylight on the roof and pipes it down a mirrored tube into a dark room: a windowless bathroom, a dim hallway, a kitchen the sun never reaches. No wiring, no major construction, and most installs are done in a morning. More at Tubular Skylights.
Visiting & Local
Where are you located, and what are your hours?
We're at 4332 Drummond Road in Niagara Falls. Open Tuesday to Friday 10–6 and Saturday 10–4, with Sunday and Monday by appointment. Find us and get directions.
Can I see fireplaces actually burning in your showroom?
Yes—that's the best reason to come in. We've got 130+ fireplaces, stoves, and grills on display, many of them lit, so you can see the flame, feel the heat, and compare your shortlist in person before you commit. Pictures only go so far.
What areas do you serve?
The whole Niagara Peninsula—Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Fort Erie, and everywhere between the lakes. See the full list of service areas.
How long have you been in business?
We've anchored Drummond Road in Niagara Falls for 40 years—a family shop run on the Golden Rule, with an in-house team of certified gas fitters and 435+ Google reviews averaging 4.8 stars. More on our About page.
Still Have a Question?
Ask us anything—or get a free online estimate delivered straight to your inbox. Not sure where to start? Our Fireplace Finder will guide you to the perfect fit in minutes.