Many American homes have older gas fireplaces with outdated technology and lame logs and flames. But they can be updated. As part of a basement refinishing project in Minnesota, the homeowners of this home removed their dated gas fireplace and replaced it with a new Heat & Glo 32-inch SL-550 Slim Line furnace-rated direct vent gas fireplace

Evident in these “before and after” photos, the new fireplace is now the centerpiece of the room. Dramatic change!

   

According to the homeowners, baby number two was on the way and they needed additional living space. They wanted a warm and cozy space, but said, “Our walkout basement was the exact opposite.” “The gas fireplace we had was inefficient and in desperate need of updating. We really wanted the extra heat so that we could use the basement year-round.”

After their old gas fireplace was removed, they had a transformed space within a few days. Their basement is a warm and inviting useable space. “We are looking forward to snuggling up as a family to read books and watch movies while enjoying the glow and warmth of a fire.”

Gas fireplace technology has improved dramatically in the past 10 years. The flames are larger, the logs glow, the ember beds are illuminated and the fireboxes have LED lighting for beautiful accents. Heat & Glo invented direct vent gas fireplaces in the mid-1980s, and have perfected them with ambiance that so closely replicates real wood-burning fireplaces, it can be hard to tell the difference.

There are many options for direct vent gas fireplaces, as you can see here.