A fireplace has to be one of the most appealing features a home can possess. Not only does it create a deeply romantic atmosphere but it can also be the focal point around which a room is centred. Whether you’re looking to spend a night in, curled up on a comfy couch with a steaming mug of hot chocolate or perhaps a glass of wine, or dreaming of spending the winter months hosting cheerful get-togethers with the whole family, the picture seems almost incomplete without a crackling fire, doesn’t it?

A wood or coal-burning fire, however, is rarely as romantic a proposition as it seems. In fact, it generally requires a lot of work. First, you have to make sure you have enough wood or coal to keep the fire going. Then you’ve got to get the fire started. And then you’ve got to clean up all the ash and dust once the fire has burned out. And this is why gas fireplaces have become such a popular alternative to the traditional, alongside an array of other advantages.

One has three options to choose from when selecting a modern fireplace: Inserts, direct-vent and vent free fireplaces. Inserts fit into existing fireplaces and use the original chimney as vents. Direct-vent units are vented through a hole in an exterior wall, eliminating the need for a chimney and vent free gas fireplaces are designed to operate without the need for a vent at all.

In addition to being far less labour intensive, gas fireplaces offer a few other advantages too. Firstly, one is able to adjust the intensity of a gas fire’s flames. Secondly, modern gas fireplaces are far more fuel efficient than wood fires, converting almost 100% of potential heat into useable heat. They create hot flames resulting in better fuel combustion and thus resulting in lower carbon monoxide emissions.

Aesthetically, gas fireplaces have come a long way and many of today’s models are exceptionally realistic. Vent free fireplaces can also be customised and finished to fit in with the decor in one’s home and cost much less to install than it would cost to build a traditional masonry fireplace.

Syam stocks and supplies a range of premium quality stainless steel, vent free gas fireplaces. The Syam design and manufacture teams work hand in hand in the development of each product to ensure that it meets the requirements of the South African and African markets. Syam products are manufactured using state-of-the-art equipment and all gas products are LPGSASA certified.