Warm, instant ambiance for Dunwoody's mild winters.

For a Dunwoody home already on natural gas, converting an existing masonry fireplace to a direct-vent gas insert or a vented gas log set typically runs $3,000 to $7,500, depending on the unit and whether the flue needs a liner. A new built-in gas fireplace for a renovation or addition—with framing, venting, and a longer gas line run from the meter—usually lands between $6,000 and $11,000. Homes further out toward the DeKalb-Gwinnett line that aren't on the gas main sometimes need propane instead, which adds tank and regulator costs. A local dealer will give you a firm number after seeing your specific fireplace or wall.

Yes, and it's one of the most common projects for Dunwoody's older housing stock. Many of the brick fireplaces in Dunwoody's mid-century ranches and split-levels were built for oak, pine, or hickory cordwood, but actually burning wood in a suburban Atlanta lot has fallen out of favor for a lot of homeowners—smoke drifting toward close-set neighbors, ash cleanup, and simply not needing the heat output in a mild climate. A gas insert or vented log set uses your existing chimney (often with a stainless liner) and typically runs $3,500 to $7,000 installed, giving you real flame without the wood handling.

Most of Dunwoody, including the zip codes around Perimeter Center and along Mount Vernon Road, falls within Atlanta Gas Light's natural gas service area, so if your home already has gas for the water heater, range, or furnace, adding a fireplace is generally a straightforward tap-in. Propane shows up mainly on properties at the edges of DeKalb County where a gas main isn't nearby, or for homeowners who prefer a standalone tank. Most gas fireplace models sold by local dealers can be set up for either fuel—the orifice and regulator are matched to whichever gas you have.

Most modern gas fireplaces will, which matters in Dunwoody given how ice storms and thunderstorm outages periodically knock out power across DeKalb County. Units with intermittent pilot ignition (IPI) run on a small battery backup that kicks in automatically, so the fireplace lights normally even with no utility power—just remember to keep the batteries fresh. Valor's gas fireplaces go a step further: the pilot's thermocouple generates its own electricity, so there's no battery to maintain at all. If reliable heat during outages matters to you, ask your local dealer which ignition system a given model uses.

A built-in gas fireplace is framed into a wall—the right call for new construction or a remodel in one of Dunwoody's newer townhome developments. A gas insert drops into an existing masonry opening, which fits most of Dunwoody's older brick fireplaces built originally for oak or pine cordwood. A freestanding gas stove sits out on the floor and doesn't require an existing fireplace opening at all, which works well in a basement or bonus room. For the typical Dunwoody homeowner with an existing brick fireplace, an insert is usually the simplest and most cost-effective upgrade.

Yes—the City of Dunwoody requires a building permit for gas fireplace installations, and the gas line work itself has to be done or supervised by a licensed gas fitter, separate from the fireplace installation. Most established local hearth dealers handle the permitting and inspection scheduling as part of the job, so you're not coordinating separate trades yourself. If you're in an HOA-governed neighborhood near Perimeter or Dunwoody Village, it's also worth checking whether exterior venting placement needs HOA sign-off before work starts.

Vented (direct-vent) units draw combustion air from outside and exhaust exhaust gases back outside through a sealed pipe—they're the standard recommendation almost everywhere, including Dunwoody, because they don't add moisture or combustion byproducts to the room. Vent-free gas log sets and fireplaces are legal in Georgia and popular for their lower install cost since no venting run is needed, but they come with strict room-size and ventilation requirements and aren't ideal for smaller, tightly sealed rooms. Given Dunwoody's well-insulated newer construction, most local dealers steer homeowners toward direct-vent units for day-to-day use, reserving vent-free log sets for occasional-use spaces like a den or bonus room.

Plan on an annual inspection, ideally before the first cool front hits in October or November. A technician checks the burner, pilot assembly, gas connections, and venting, and cleans the glass and interior—a quick job compared to wood chimney sweeping, but still important since gas fireplaces see less regular attention than they should. Local gas appliance service providers in the Dunwoody and Sandy Springs area typically charge $125 to $225 for a standard annual inspection.

With Georgia Power's residential rate around 15.5 cents per kWh and Dunwoody's mild winters, an electric fireplace is a legitimate option worth considering alongside gas, especially for homes without an existing gas line or fireplace opening. Electric units install almost anywhere with just a standard outlet, cost far less upfront ($400–$1,500 installed versus $3,000 and up for gas), and produce zero combustion byproducts—but they can't match the heat output or the look of a real flame. Gas remains the more popular choice in Dunwoody for primary living spaces because most homes are already piped for it and the flame itself is the draw. Wood-burning, by contrast, has become uncommon here for new installs—the region's mild climate and close suburban lot sizes mean most homeowners converting an old masonry fireplace choose gas over restocking a wood pile.

If it was installed more than 15 years ago, probably. Older gas fireplaces keep a standing pilot light burning all the time, and that little flame can cost a couple hundred dollars a year. Newer models use pilot-on-demand ignition—the pilot lights only when you use the fireplace and goes out when you turn it off.

Fireplaces are like icebergs—bigger behind the wall than in front of it. Replacement means removing the surrounding tile or stone (the finish material laps onto the fireplace face), pulling the old unit, setting the new one in the same enclosure, and re-finishing the wall. A hearth professional can determine what's behind your wall without demolition during an in-home preview.

On average, a fireplace adds back to the home about the same amount you spent installing it. Add the monthly savings from heating the rooms you actually use instead of the whole house—often hundreds of dollars a year—and the value case is strong before you even count what a fire does for how your family uses the room.

For an average home—covering the fireplace, the vent pipe, and basic installation—a budget between $3,900 and $5,500 gives you a lot of options across wood, gas, and pellet. By the time you add finish work, gas line, and electrical, the average complete installation lands between $5,000 and $12,000 all-in. In a remodel or new build, a good rule is to put about 2.5% of the total project cost toward the fireplace.