Gas Fireplace Installation in Seattle
New gas fireplace installation, wood-to-gas conversions, and gas inserts — handled end to end. Licensed WA gas technicians manage the gas line, venting, permits, and code compliance. From site assessment through final safety test, we do the full scope so you don't coordinate multiple trades.
Installation Types
- Gas fireplace inserts
- New built-in gas fireplaces
- Direct-vent installations
- B-vent installations
- Wood-to-gas conversions
- Gas log conversions
Our Work
Gas Fireplace Installation Examples
Log sets, glass media, inserts, and built-ins across Seattle and the Eastside
Licensed WA Gas Technicians
Installation Done Right, Code Compliant
Every gas fireplace installation is permitted, inspected, and completed by licensed Washington State gas technicians. Free on-site estimate before we start.
Get a Free Estimate →Installation Scope
Types of Gas Fireplace Installations We Handle
Different homes call for different installation types. We install the configuration that fits your existing structure, your venting options, and the look you want. Every install is handled by licensed WA gas technicians from site assessment through final safety test.
Gas fireplace inserts
Installs into an existing masonry fireplace opening. Uses the existing firebox and chimney structure with a properly sized stainless steel liner. Shorter project timeline and lower scope than full built-in installations. Most popular option for older Seattle homes with masonry fireplaces.
Built-in gas fireplaces
New full-fireplace installation in a wall, peninsula, or custom location. Includes framing, vent routing, gas line, electrical, and finish carpentry. More design flexibility — modern linear, traditional, or custom configurations. Longer timeline but creates a finished architectural feature.
Direct-vent fireplaces
Vents combustion air in and exhaust out through a single concentric pipe (or two side-by-side pipes) through an exterior wall or the roof. Sealed combustion — doesn't pull room air or affect indoor air quality. The most common modern installation type for new gas fireplaces.
B-vent (natural draft) units
Uses a vertical vent that draws room air for combustion. Less efficient than direct-vent but works well in homes with existing vertical vent routes. Often used in retrofits where running new vent piping isn't practical.
Wood-to-gas conversions
Convert your existing wood-burning fireplace to gas. We install a gas insert, a properly sized stainless steel liner, gas line, and any required venting modifications. No more hauling firewood or scheduling chimney sweeps.
Gas log conversions
Lighter-touch wood-to-gas option. Gas log sets sit inside the existing masonry firebox with a gas line connection. Less efficient than an insert but a simpler installation with a more traditional look.
Natural gas installations
If your home has utility natural gas service, this is almost always the better fuel choice — cheaper running cost, no tank refills, more model options. We verify gas service availability and adequacy during site assessment.
Propane installations
For homes without natural gas service. Requires an exterior propane tank (owned or leased) and a regulator at the appliance. Most fireplace models can be configured for either fuel — we handle the conversion if needed.
Replacement of failed units
Removal of an aging or failed gas fireplace and installation of a new unit in the same location. Often involves updating venting, gas line, and electrical to current code as part of the project.
Our Process
What's Included in a Gas Fireplace Installation
Gas fireplace installation involves multiple trades — gas piping, venting, electrical, framing, finish carpentry. We do all of it under one project so you're coordinating one company, not three.
01
Site assessment
On-site visit to evaluate the existing space, verify gas service availability, assess venting options, check for structural considerations, and discuss what you want from the new unit. Foundation of the project.
02
Measurements & design
Detailed measurements of the install location, chimney (if existing), and vent routing path. Confirmation of unit sizing relative to the room's heating load and the available space.
03
Unit recommendation
We recommend specific models that fit your space, your budget, and your aesthetic. We service all major brands — Napoleon, Heat & Glo, Heatilator, Valor, Regency, Montigo — and we don't push one manufacturer.
04
Gas line work
Running new gas line from your existing supply to the fireplace location, or extending an existing line. Includes pressure testing, leak detection, and shutoff valve installation per code.
05
Venting installation
Direct-vent piping, B-vent, or chimney liner — sized and routed per the manufacturer's specifications and local code. All venting requires inspection before the unit is operational.
06
Electrical hookup
Power for the blower, ignition controls, remote receiver, and any decorative lighting. Most installations require a dedicated circuit run to the fireplace location.
07
Permits & code compliance
We pull the gas piping permit (and any required mechanical or building permits) before work begins. Inspections are scheduled at the required milestones. All work meets WAC and local code.
08
Final testing & safety check
Pressure test on the gas line, leak detection on all connections, CO safety check, ignition verification, blower testing, and operational walkthrough. Unit isn't considered complete until everything passes.
09
Final walkthrough
We walk you through the unit's operation, remote, maintenance recommendations, and warranty registration. You receive documentation of the work and permits for your records.
Pricing Transparency
What Affects Gas Fireplace Installation Cost
Installation pricing varies significantly based on scope. We don't quote firm prices over the phone because too many variables affect the actual cost. After a site visit, we provide a detailed written estimate with line items so you understand exactly what you're paying for.
Insert vs. built-in
Inserts into an existing masonry fireplace are significantly less expensive than new built-in installations because the firebox and chimney are already in place. Built-in installations require framing, drywall, vent routing, and finish carpentry — all of which add scope.
Venting complexity
Simple direct-vent installations through an adjacent exterior wall are lower cost. Long vent runs, vertical vents through multiple floors, or chimney liner installations for inserts add significant material and labor cost.
Gas line work
Short gas line runs from a nearby existing supply are quick. Long runs, runs through finished walls, or installing service to a home without existing gas all add scope. Gas line work also requires inspection, which is included in our scope.
Finish carpentry
Built-in installations often involve significant finish work — tile or stone surround, mantel installation, hearth construction, paint and trim. Insert installations require less finish work since the original fireplace appearance is mostly preserved.
Permits
We pull all required permits and include them in the project scope. Permit costs vary by jurisdiction but are typically a small portion of the overall project cost. The inspections that come with the permits protect your investment.
Unit selection
The actual fireplace unit itself is a significant portion of the project budget. Pricing ranges widely — basic gas log sets at the low end, premium direct-vent inserts in the middle, designer linear units at the high end. We work with your budget.
Insert installations into existing masonry typically run at the lower end of the range; new built-in installations with significant finish carpentry sit at the upper end. We provide a firm written estimate after the site visit so you know the exact cost before any work begins.
Most Popular Project
Convert a Wood Fireplace to Gas
Wood-to-gas conversion is the most common installation project we handle for Seattle homeowners with existing masonry fireplaces. The wood-burning firebox you already have becomes the home for a gas insert — eliminating firewood storage, hauling, ash cleanup, and the creosote that drives annual chimney sweeps.
A complete wood-to-gas conversion includes the insert unit, a properly sized stainless steel chimney liner for the new gas appliance, a gas line run from your existing supply to the fireplace, and venting modifications to match the insert's specifications. We pull the required permits and schedule the inspections.
- ✓Existing fireplace conversions
- ✓Insert installation with matched liner
- ✓Gas line installation or extension
- ✓Venting updates and code compliance
- ✓Permits and final inspections
Project Type
Installation vs. Replacement vs. Conversion
Three different project types — all of which involve installing a gas fireplace — but with different starting points, different scope, and different cost.
New Installation
No Existing Fireplace
You don't currently have a fireplace and want to add one. The largest scope of the three — includes framing, venting, gas line, electrical, finish work, and the unit itself.
- •Most design flexibility
- •Longest timeline (3–5 days typical)
- •Highest scope of work
- •Best for modern linear units
Replacement
Existing Gas Fireplace Failed
Your existing gas fireplace has reached end-of-life and needs replacement. We remove the failed unit, update venting and gas line to current code, and install the new unit in the same location.
- •Faster than new installation
- •Existing framing preserved
- •Code updates may be required
- •2–3 days typical timeline
Conversion
Wood-to-Gas in Existing Fireplace
You have an existing wood-burning fireplace and want to convert it to gas. We install a gas insert into the existing firebox, add a stainless liner, run the gas line, and complete venting per code.
- •Lowest scope of the three
- •1–2 days typical timeline
- •Preserves existing aesthetic
- •Wood to gas conversion page →
Safety First
Why Professional Installation Matters
Gas fireplace installation isn't a DIY project. Washington state law requires licensed gas piping contractors for any work involving gas connections — and there are real safety, financial, and legal consequences to getting it wrong.
Gas leak risk
Improperly torqued fittings, wrong pipe sealant, or undersized gas lines create leaks. Slow gas leaks can accumulate over time and become dangerous. Licensed gas installation includes pressure testing and leak detection on every connection.
Venting safety
Incorrect venting causes combustion gases — including carbon monoxide — to enter the home instead of exiting outside. Proper vent sizing, slope, and termination location are critical and inspected as part of the install.
Carbon monoxide protection
CO is invisible and odorless. A properly installed gas fireplace with verified venting and correct combustion air supply doesn't put CO into the home. Every installation includes a CO safety test before we leave.
Required permits
Washington state and most local jurisdictions require permits for gas line work. Permitted installations protect the homeowner — inspections verify the work is done right. Unpermitted gas work can void warranties, insurance, and home sale disclosures.
Manufacturer warranty
Most fireplace manufacturer warranties require professional installation by a qualified technician. DIY installations or installs by unlicensed technicians often void the warranty even if the unit itself functions correctly.
WA gas licensing
Genesis Home Services holds the required Washington State gas piping contractor license. Our installations follow manufacturer specifications, local code, and state law — documented in the permit record for your protection.
Gas Fireplace Installation Across Seattle & Puget Sound
Pacific Northwest climate makes gas fireplaces especially useful as supplemental heating — and Seattle's older housing stock creates specific installation considerations we see across every neighborhood.
Cold-season supplemental heat
Seattle winters drive significant heating demand from October through April. A well-installed gas fireplace reduces reliance on the main HVAC system and can heat a primary living area independently — particularly valuable during cold snaps or power events.
Pre-1960 Seattle masonry homes
Older Craftsmans, Tudors, and bungalows across Ballard, Queen Anne, Capitol Hill, Wallingford, and Beacon Hill often have masonry fireplaces that are ideal candidates for insert installations or wood-to-gas conversions. We handle these projects regularly and understand the structural considerations.
Code compliance specific to King County
Seattle and King County have specific requirements around gas piping, venting clearances, combustion air, and ventless restrictions. We work in these jurisdictions every week and know what's required for permit and inspection sign-off.
Regional expertise & manufacturer relationships
We service the gas fireplace brands most common in Seattle homes — Napoleon, Heat & Glo, Heatilator, Valor, Regency, Montigo, Mendota, Lopi, Travis Industries. Familiarity with these brands means faster installations, accurate sizing, and reliable parts availability for future service.
Gas Fireplace Installation FAQ
Questions Seattle homeowners ask before scheduling installation
Related Gas Fireplace Services
Wood to Gas Conversion
Convert existing wood-burning fireplace
Gas Fireplace Repair
Service for existing gas fireplaces
Gas Fireplace Tune-Up
Annual maintenance — $295 flat rate
Chimney Relining
Stainless liner for new gas inserts
Chimney Inspection
Inspect existing chimney before install
Gas Fireplace Services — Hub
Overview of all gas fireplace services
Schedule a Gas Fireplace Installation Consultation
Site assessment. Detailed written estimate. Licensed WA gas technicians. Permits pulled, code compliance verified, single-vendor coordination. Serving Seattle and the broader Puget Sound region.
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Last reviewed: May 2026