The total depends on whether you are replacing an existing insert or adding a fireplace to a new location. Insert replacements that reuse the existing opening, gas line, and vent path are the most straightforward and typically fall in the $3,500 to $5,500 range depending on the unit selected. New direct-vent installations into framed walls with fresh gas line runs and exterior venting sit higher, typically $5,000 to $8,000, with the gas line distance and any hillside venting requirements affecting the final number. Log set upgrades in an existing firebox sit well below either range. Every estimate is free, written, and itemizes all costs. Flexible financing through Financeit with zero percent interest over 12 months.

It does. On hillside properties common across Canyon Heights, upper Lynn Valley, and Pemberton Heights, the exterior vent termination may face prevailing winds and wind-driven rain that can cause operational issues if not properly addressed. The exhaust termination needs to be positioned where gusts will not force combustion gases back into the intake pipe, and where rain will not enter the vent. Wind-resistant termination caps and careful positioning relative to roof overhangs, grade changes, and dominant wind direction are part of the venting design on exposed North Shore properties. We account for all of this during the assessment and build it into the installation plan.

A gas insert is a complete sealed-combustion appliance with its own firebox, glass front, venting system, and controls. It produces meaningful supplemental heat and operates as an independent heating appliance. A gas log set is simpler: ceramic logs and a burner assembly placed inside an existing open firebox. Log sets provide flame appearance and modest heat but are not sealed-combustion units and are less efficient. For North Vancouver homeowners who want their fireplace to contribute real heat during cold months, an insert is the better investment. For homeowners who want to refresh the look of an existing gas firebox at lower cost, a log set upgrade is a practical option.

Gas fireplaces with a standing pilot (millivolt) ignition system will operate during a power outage because they do not require electricity to light or maintain the flame. The pilot stays lit and the gas valve opens mechanically when the thermocouple generates sufficient voltage. Fireplaces with electronic ignition (intermittent pilot or direct spark) require electricity and will not function during an outage unless connected to a battery backup. The built-in fan that circulates warm air also requires power on both types, so heat output during an outage comes from radiant warmth through the glass rather than forced-air circulation. For North Vancouver homeowners who want their fireplace to function as backup heat during winter storms that occasionally knock out power on the North Shore, a millivolt-ignition model is the better choice.

Yes, we manage the full permit process. We file the Technical Safety BC gas permit application before work begins, complete the installation to code, and schedule the inspection once the project is finished. The permit fee is built into the written estimate as a single line item rather than appearing as a separate charge. The inspector reviews the gas line, venting path, and appliance installation before clearing the fireplace for use.

An insert replacement in an existing opening is typically a single-day project. Adding a direct-vent fireplace to a new location takes one to two days depending on the gas line distance, the framing scope, and whether the exterior vent position requires additional weatherproofing for hillside exposure. Log set swaps are the quickest option, usually finished in a few hours. We confirm the expected timeline during the assessment so you can plan around it.