Long before dimmable LEDs and radiant floors, humans gathered around the world’s first design feature: Fire. It was warmth, protection and a primitive form of theatre – light that danced, flickered and invited company. Millennia later, we still crave that same elemental comfort, even as our means of producing it have gone from kindling to code.
In today’s homes, the fireplace is no longer just a heat source; it’s a statement of mood, technology and taste. To explore how it has evolved from wood-burning hearth to modern art installation, I sat down with Michael Bratty of Concord Fireplaces, a man whose job is to keep Canadians cosy – without the mess or the smoke.
A tale of four flames
Q: What are the main fireplace options for homeowners in 2025?
Michael Bratty (MB): Simply put – wood-burning, gas, electric and bioflame. Each has its own aesthetic and performance personality. Gas has been trending sleek and linear for years, but lately, we’re seeing a resurgence of traditional details; think driftwood and birch log sets with a tactile, organic charm that designers love.
Electric, meanwhile, has evolved dramatically. Thanks to LED and optical technologies, it’s slimmer, sharper and far more convincing than the old “screensaver flames.” Some units are barely six inches deep and feature randomized, non-repetitive flame patterns that beautifully mimic real fire. Perfect for condos, offices or anywhere space and ventilation are at a premium, or downright impossible.
Real fire, refined
Q: Which do you prefer – wood, gas, electric or bioflame?
MB: Gas wins for me. It delivers the authenticity of a real flame, without the sweeping, stacking or
soot. It’s efficient, sealed for safety and remarkably lifelike. The newest “luminous log” technology, where flames actually rise through the log itself, truly fools the eye. It’s wood fire without the work.
Wood still has that nostalgic edge, of course. The smell, the crackle, the ritual, all tickling our senses. But most homeowners today prefer the convenience of flicking a switch instead of swinging an axe.
The clean-burning future
Q: Will Canada ever ban solid-fuel fireplaces the way Montreal has?
MB: A full national ban? Unlikely. Major cities like Toronto may tighten restrictions under climate goals (Montreal did in 2015 for anything emitting over 2.5g of particles/hour), and with Toronto council aiming for net-zero by 2040, that could include limits on new wood or even gas installations. But wood fire is woven into our culture. Any shift would likely be gradual, political and driven by environmental advocacy rather than immediate policy. That said, a big accidental fire causing death related to solid or gas could quickly swing the pendulum to outlaw things.
Beyond the flame
Q: After a long day, do you ever just tune into the fireplace channel?
MB: (Laughs.) Not a chance. I’ll take the real thing (in my case that means gas). That said, the new electric steam models give even the best fireplace videos a run for their money. They combine vapour and light to create three-dimensional flames that move and crackle in uncanny realism. You can even switch the heat function off, enjoying the glow without warming the room, perfect for year-round ambience.
Designing tomorrow’s hearth
Q: Where are fireplaces headed next?
MB: Electric is definitely the growth leader. In the U.S., new installations are already outpacing gas nearly three-to-one. With zero venting, low energy costs and increasingly sophisticated visuals, it’s a category that’s rewriting the rules.
Some models, like Dimplex’s Optimyst line, can stretch to 100 inches wide and serve as transparent room dividers – a sculptural centerpiece that doubles as environmental art. Meanwhile, gas units continue refining realism, and wood remains the choice for purists who want to hear the snap and scent of a true burn.
As for bioflame and gel fuels, proceed with caution. They’re seductive in theory but unregulated in Canada, and safety concerns around flammability and ventilation keep most pros, ourselves included, from installing them.
The great outdoors
Q: Outdoor fireplaces have become almost as common as indoor ones. What’s driving that?
MB: COVID accelerated it, absolutely. People wanted connection, and fire provided it. While most imagine wood or propane fire tables, electric outdoor units are booming, too — clean, quick and weather-resistant. For purists, the rise of smokeless stoves like Solo and Timberwolf offer a satisfying middle ground: A real wood flame that’s contained, efficient and legal in urban settings. Add a spark screen and a cooking grate, and you’ve got a campfire with city curb appeal.
Final reflections
Fire has always been primal and poetic, the original gathering point, reinvented in pixels and steel. Whether you’re drawn to the rustic ritual of wood, the precision of gas, or the illusionary magic of steam, the modern hearth remains what it has always been: The heart of the home.
When planning your own fire feature, work with a professional who understands form and function and can help you balance design, performance and safety.
Because while the technology may change, one truth remains eternal: There’s still nothing quite like watching a flame dance. Play too much into trying to create that false reality, and you might get burned!