How are fireplaces and inserts different?
A fireplace is the broad term for the place you can safely have a fire. Be it gas or wood. A gas fireplace was designed to emulate the look of a natural wood burning fireplace. Now they come in a wide variety of styles and shapes. A wood insert is designed to contain a fire and allows for control of the flame by controlling the air entering the combustion chamber. A gas fireplace insert is designed to be installed in an existing fireplace opening and usually mimic the look of a wood burning fireplace insert.