Gas Fireplace

Part of the charm of old houses is the odd sorts of devices some of them come equipped with -- servants' bells in the kitchen, a dumbwaiter, a skylight with a vent on a string. It's always nice to be able to restore a bit of the past, even if it's just for decoration.However, not all such devices can or should be restored -- as a reader in Catonsville may attest."We have a 70-year-old house with an old gas fireplace," she writes. "Unfortunately, there is no chimney or vent to the outside.

Is it better to have a gas fireplace or a traditional wood-burning fireplace? I am interested in gas fireplaces, possibly ventless, to turn my fuel dollars into heat instead of sending them up the chimney. First of all, will the fireplace be purely decorative, or will it function as a heating source for your home? If it's only intended to be decorative, the decision is easier. But let me tell you a story that might influence your choice. Just after I moved into my current home, we had an unusual midfall snowstorm.

Is it better to have a gas fireplace or a traditional wood-burning fireplace? I am interested in gas fireplaces, possibly ventless, to turn my fuel dollars into heat instead of sending them up the chimney. First of all, will the fireplace be purely decorative, or will it function as a heating source for your home? If it's only intended to be decorative, the decision is easier. But let me tell you a story that might influence your choice. Just after I moved into my current home, we had an unusual midfall snowstorm.

Masonry Homes has just opened its Hallie Hill Farm community of single-family homes. In Manchester, the community has 71 quarter- and half-acre lots, of which 14 have been released for sale. The community has public water and sewer systems and offers natural gas. Standard features include full basements, 10-year homeowners warranties, landscaped and seeded home sites as well as maintenance-free exteriors. The 10 floor plans range in size from 1,700 to 2,606 square feet. Base prices range from $210,700 to $256,600.

Walnut Point Bob Ward Homes has a model open and 50 home sites available at Walnut Point, a community of single-family homes in Baltimore County. The Essex community offers water privileges that include a boat-launch ramp, boat storage and a 90-foot crabbing and fishing pier. Walnut Point has public water and sewer systems and gas heat on home sites of one-quarter to one-third of an acre. Bob Ward offers nine floor plans at the community of two-story colonials, contemporaries and ranchers.

Regional Homes has a model open and seven homes available at Glyndon Watch, a single-family home community in Baltimore County. The Reisterstown community offers homes on quarter-acre sites. The homes are on public water and sewer systems and have natural gas utilities. Regional offers four home plans, ranging from 1,800 square feet to 2,700 square feet, with base prices from $189,990 to $205,990. Standard features include first-floor laundry, two-story open foyer and ceramic tile baths.

Chateau Builders has opened a model of the Severn, one of 10 floor plans offered at Severn Manor in Annapolis, where the company is building 49 traditional and transitional homes on half-acre to one-acre lots.Standard features in the Anne Arundel County community include gas heat, 9-foot first-floor ceilings, gas fireplace, brick stoop and steps, and designer kitchens with white-on-white, self-cleaning Jennair wall oven and down-draft cook top. Porcelain sinks and 42-inch wall cabinets are standard features.

Barry Andrews Homes has a model home open and 89 home sites available at Waterview, a community of single-family homes in Harford County. Waterview, in Abingdon, offers 12 home plans, ranging from 1,200 square feet to 2,400 square feet, for $141,900 to $190,900. The homes come with public water and sewer systems, and gas heat. Standard features include hardwood foyers, 25-year architectural shingles and oak rails. The model home, the Nicholas Anthony II, has a base price of $163,900 for 1,620 square feet and a one-car garage.

MODELS OPENCobblestone1. Talles Homes has opened three models at Cobblestone in Baltimore County, where the firm is building 10 different single-family homes on Z-shaped lots that feature a front yard on the right side of the home and a private courtyard at the left rear.All Talles Homes in the community will have gas heat and hot water, public water and sewer service, Anderson windows, Whirlpool appliances, raised-panel kitchen cabinets, cedar-fenced rear yards and unfinished basements.A $142 monthly homeowners association fee covers all exterior maintenance including lawn cutting, snow removal and house painting in Cobblestone, which is in the Owings Mills/Pikesville area.

Canter Farms Richmond American Homes has a model home open and 18 homes available at Canter Farms, a community of single-family homes in Anne Arundel County. Located in Gambrills, Canter Farms offers several home plans, ranging from 2,355 to 3,164 square feet for $284,990 to $314,990. The homes are on one-third-acre lots and come with public water and sewer systems and gas heat. Standard features include hardwood floors in the foyer and powder room, two-car garage and 9-foot first-floor ceilings.

Cambridge Walk Ashley Custom Homes and Katiah Development Inc. have six lots remaining in Cambridge Walk, a townhouse community in Canton. The community offers public water and sewer systems as well as gas heat. Standard features include hardwood foyers, ceramic bathroom and kitchen tiles, two-car garages, 9-foot ceilings, sunrooms, roof terraces and four levels. The largest of the three models, the 3,000-square-foot Essex, costs $349,900. The entrance level features a two-car garage, an optional 13-by-9-foot office or den, a foyer, a bathroom and storage space.

North Carroll Farms Masonry Homes recently released a new nine-lot section at the Meadows at North Carroll Farms in Hampstead. The community offers public water and sewer systems and gas heat, and is near downtown Hampstead. Standard features include landscaped and seeded home sites with base prices ranging from the $170,000 to $218,400. One of the floor plans, the Biltmore, offers an open foyer, a 10-by-11-foot dining room, a 17-by-11-foot kitchen, a 16-by-11-foot family room, a 10-by-10-foot living room, a powder room and a garage.

Wood Creek Three models are on display at PCS Homes' Wood Creek golf community, which had its grand opening yesterday . The Delmar community of 74 villa-style houses is near Salisbury University and in the heart of an 18-hole golf course. PCS is offering incentives up to a value of $10,000 in the week after the opening. All houses have gas heat and public water and sewage systems. Standard features include lawn-sprinkling systems, 9-foot ceilings, two-car garages, tongue-and-groove wood floors and 42-inch kitchen cabinets.

Walnut Point Bob Ward Homes has a model open and 50 home sites available at Walnut Point, a community of single-family homes in Baltimore County. The Essex community offers water privileges that include a boat-launch ramp, boat storage and a 90-foot crabbing and fishing pier. Walnut Point has public water and sewer systems and gas heat on home sites of one-quarter to one-third of an acre. Bob Ward offers nine floor plans at the community of two-story colonials, contemporaries and ranchers.

Severn Pines Mandrin Homes has a furnished model home open and 38 home sites available at Severn Pines, a single-family home community in Anne Arundel County. The Severn community offers two-story traditional and rancher homes on one-quarter- to one-third-acre lots. The homes are on public water and sewer systems and come with gas heat and hot water. Standard features among the seven floor plans include a two-car garage, 9-foot first-floor ceilings, hardwood foyer, recessed kitchen lighting, and crown molding in the living room and dining room.

Daniels Purchase The Polm Cos. has 85 home sites remaining and five furnished models open at Daniels Purchase, a community of single-family homes in Anne Arundel County. The Millersville community offers two-story traditional homes on 60-by-80-foot lots, and has a swimming pool, tennis court and recreation field. The homes are on public water and sewer systems and come with natural gas heat and cooking. Standard features among the five floor plans include a partial brick front, wood foyer, gourmet kitchen package and two-car garage.

North Carroll Farms Masonry Homes recently released a new nine-lot section at the Meadows at North Carroll Farms in Hampstead. The community offers public water and sewer systems and gas heat, and is near downtown Hampstead. Standard features include landscaped and seeded home sites with base prices ranging from the $170,000 to $218,400. One of the floor plans, the Biltmore, offers an open foyer, a 10-by-11-foot dining room, a 17-by-11-foot kitchen, a 16-by-11-foot family room, a 10-by-10-foot living room, a powder room and a garage.

Regional HomesRegional Homes has opened a new model in Meadow Ridge, a community of Colonial-style homes in Westminster.Public water and sewer and gas heat are standard features in this Carroll County community.The Mayfair costs between $179,990 and $217,990 for 1,933 to 2,829 square feet of finished space.A utility room, optional 12-by-11-foot den and a 27-by-13-foot recreation room are in the basement.The first floor consists of a garage, two-story foyer, 14-by-13-foot living room, 14-by-12-foot dining room, 15-by-14-foot kitchen and 19-by-14-foot family room.

Regional Homes has a model open and seven homes available at Glyndon Watch, a single-family home community in Baltimore County. The Reisterstown community offers homes on quarter-acre sites. The homes are on public water and sewer systems and have natural gas utilities. Regional offers four home plans, ranging from 1,800 square feet to 2,700 square feet, with base prices from $189,990 to $205,990. Standard features include first-floor laundry, two-story open foyer and ceramic tile baths.

Barry Andrews Homes has a model home open and 89 home sites available at Waterview, a community of single-family homes in Harford County. Waterview, in Abingdon, offers 12 home plans, ranging from 1,200 square feet to 2,400 square feet, for $141,900 to $190,900. The homes come with public water and sewer systems, and gas heat. Standard features include hardwood foyers, 25-year architectural shingles and oak rails. The model home, the Nicholas Anthony II, has a base price of $163,900 for 1,620 square feet and a one-car garage.