For a $5,000–$13,000 direct-vent gas fireplace, the decisions that matter are made before you pick a model: where the vent goes, how big the wall is, whether a TV is going above it, and which look you want. This guide walks those decisions in order and ends with the two Napoleon lines we recommend and why.
The Short Answer
| You want | Buy this | From |
|---|---|---|
| A fireplace that reads as a fireplace — upright opening, brick panels, log set — for a living room, family room or new build | Napoleon Elevation X (EX36 or EX42) | $4,929 |
| A wide, low ribbon of flame on a feature wall — contemporary, with glass or driftwood media and LED accent lighting | Napoleon Vector Linear (38", 50", 62", 74") | $5,039 |
| One fireplace visible from two rooms, or a room divider | Napoleon Vector See-Through (38"–74") | $6,179 |
| No exterior wall, finished basement, or no budget for a vent run | Not direct vent — see the Monessen Artisan vent-free | $2,969 |
Not sure which row is yours? Call or text (814) 440-4817 and we'll confirm the model, size and parts list before you order.
What "Direct Vent" Actually Means
A direct-vent fireplace is a sealed firebox behind ceramic glass. It draws combustion air from outside and sends exhaust back outside through a coaxial pipe — one pipe inside another — that runs through an exterior wall or up through the roof. Nothing from the fire enters the room, and it needs no chimney. Napoleon's installation manuals for the Elevation X (W415-2000) and Vector (W415-2034) list both as approved for bedroom, bathroom and bed-sitting room installation, and require a carbon monoxide detector in every room with a gas appliance.
The trade-off is the vent path. The pipe has to get outside, and the route (horizontal through a wall vs. vertical through a roof), the length and the number of elbows are set by the manufacturer's installation manual. Plan the vent before you frame the wall, not after.
Step 1: Vent Path — the Decision That Sets Your Budget
Horizontal through an exterior wall. The simplest and least expensive install: short run, one termination cap on the outside wall. If the fireplace sits on an exterior wall, this is usually the answer.
Vertical through the roof. Needed when the fireplace is on an interior wall, or when a deck, window or property line rules out a wall termination. More pipe, a roof flashing and more labor.
No workable path. If the vent run would mean opening a finished ceiling or roof you didn't plan to touch, a vent-free unit removes the vent entirely. Vent-free vs. direct vent, honestly compared →
Venting components are not included with the fireplace and are sized to your route. If your installer isn't sourcing them, we quote the vent kit as a separate line on the same build.
Step 2: Size the Fireplace to the Wall
Traditional (Elevation X): two sizes. The EX36 is 38¾" wide × 44" tall; the EX42 is 44¾" wide × 48" tall (Napoleon installation manual W415-2000 L-0, pp. 10 and 11). Both are 22½" deep overall — that depth is the framing you're giving up.
Linear (Vector): four widths. Vector framing widths run 53.81" (38"), 65.81" (50"), 77.81" (62") and 89.81" (74"). The LV38 and LV50 need a minimum enclosure/ceiling height of 73", and the LV62 and LV74 need 91", measured from the bottom of the unit (installation manual W415-2034). Measure the wall and mark the unit out before you choose a size.
| Model | Max. input BTU/hr | Viewing area / opening | Framing W × D | Min. enclosure height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation X EX36 | 37,000 | Opening 36" × 33⅛" | 42¾" × 22¼" | 72" flush / 84" recessed |
| Elevation X EX42 | 45,000 | Opening 42" × 37⅛" | 48¾" × 22¼" | 72" flush / 84" recessed |
| Vector 38 | 30,000 | 40.75" × 18.62" | 53.81" × 20.13" | 73" |
| Vector 50 | 36,000 | 52.75" × 18.62" | 65.81" × 20.13" | 73" |
| Vector 62 | 42,000 | 64.75" × 18.62" | 77.81" × 20.13" | 91" |
| Vector 74 | 48,000 | 76.75" × 18.62" | 89.81" × 20.13" | 91" |
Vector see-through models are shallower (16.19" framing depth) because there's no back wall. Build to the installation manual, not to this table — we send it with every quote.
Step 3: Heat
Maximum input runs from 30,000 to 48,000 BTU/hr across these models, and the flame height adjusts. The Elevation X has a heat-circulating blower; the Vector has no blower. Napoleon certifies both lines as vented decorative gas appliances (CSA 2.22 / ANSI Z21.50).
Heat management options change what you can put near the fireplace. Napoleon's Dynamic Heat Control (DHC) uses no fans or ducts and allows lower clearances above the fireplace; it needs an air outlet opening in the enclosure (DHC manual W415-2373). Napoleon also offers a Hot Air Distribution Kit (LHAD) for both lines.
Step 4: Mounting a TV Above It
This is answered by clearances. Napoleon's Vector manual has a separate set of TV mounting restrictions for installations without DHC. With DHC installed on the Vector, Napoleon's DHC manual (W415-2373) allows electronics and other wall-mounted objects from 6" above the finishing flange and 6" below the DHC air outlet opening. On the Elevation X, the DHC kit (DHCEX, $125) reduces mantel clearances. Decide this before framing, because DHC needs an air outlet opening in the enclosure.
Step 5: Natural Gas or Propane?
Whatever is at the house. Utility line → natural gas. Tank → propane. Every model here comes in both. Ordering the wrong fuel type is an avoidable mistake, which is why we confirm it before anything ships.
Step 6: The Look — Elevation X vs. Vector
Both are Napoleon direct-vent units with the same electronics (ProFlame II / eFIRE remote and app), the same President's Limited Lifetime Warranty and the same fuel options. The choice is about the room.
| Elevation X | Vector | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Traditional upright firebox, deep-set | Linear ribbon, wide and low |
| Sizes | 36", 42" | 38", 50", 62", 74" — single-sided or see-through |
| Interior | Decorative brick, ledgestone or porcelain panels (required) + log set (required) | MIRRO-FLAME reflective panels (included) + logs, glass or media (required) |
| Lighting | Top lights + ENDLESS EMBERS modulating ember bed | Multi-color LED accent lighting |
| Best in | Living rooms, traditional and transitional homes, new construction where the fireplace is the room's anchor | Feature walls, contemporary and modern spaces, two-room installs |
| Starting price | $4,929 (EX36) / $5,549 (EX42) | $5,039 (38) to $11,459 (74); see-through $6,179–$13,189 |
| Required add-ons | Log set from $429 + panels from $369 | Media/log set (sold separately) |
One thing not to assume: the Elevation X gas and the Elevation X Electric do not share rough framing. The EX36 gas frames at 42 3/4" wide by 22 1/4" deep (installation manual W415-2000, p. 20), while the 36 electric frames at 39 3/4" × 35 9/16" × 16 7/8" (installation manual W415-10003440). Choose the fuel before you frame.
Step 7: What the Complete Build Costs
The fireplace is one line on the invoice. Here's the full list, so the number you plan around is the real one.
| Line | Elevation X | Vector | Who supplies it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fireplace | $4,929–$5,549 | $5,039–$13,189 | Us — freight included |
| Required interior (panels, log set or media) | $798+ | Quoted per media choice | Us — on the same quote |
| Vent kit (pipe, elbows, termination) | Sized to your route; quoted separately | Us or your installer | |
| Front, trim, heat management (optional) | $115–$1,149 | DHC / LHAD available | Us |
| Gas line, electrical, vent installation, framing and finish | Local labor — get your installer's quote against the manual | Your licensed gas installer / contractor | |
We don't install and we won't guess at your labor. What we do is send the installation manual, clearance drawings and a complete parts list with the quote, so your installer's estimate is built on the right document and nothing is missing on install day.
New Construction? Do These Three Things Before Drywall
- Choose the model and size so the rough opening and vent route go on the plans.
- Decide on the TV / heat-management option, because it changes the framing above the unit.
- Run the gas line and a 120V supply to the firebox location — both lines are hardwired.
Order the fireplace at framing stage, not finish stage, so the rough opening is built to the unit you are installing.
Direct Vent vs. the Alternatives
Vent-free: no vent at all, more usable heat, lower install cost, but restricted in some jurisdictions and room-size rated. The Monessen Artisan is the vent-free linear we recommend. Full comparison →
Electric: no gas, no vent, plugs in or hardwires, supplemental heat only. Right for bedrooms, condos and rentals. Electric vs. gas →
Gas insert: a direct-vent insert retrofits an existing masonry fireplace. We don't currently carry inserts; if you have a working chimney and want to convert it, tell us and we'll say so rather than sell you the wrong unit.
Frequently Asked
Does a direct-vent gas fireplace need a chimney?
No. It vents through a sealed pipe to an exterior wall or roof. It does need a vent path, which is the main planning constraint.
Can I put a direct-vent fireplace in a bedroom?
Napoleon's installation manuals for the Elevation X and Vector list both as approved for bedroom, bathroom and bed-sitting room installation. A carbon monoxide detector is required in every room with a gas appliance, and the installation must follow local codes.
Does it work in a power outage?
Both lines have a battery back-up control system: with batteries installed, the flame still turns on and off and adjusts. The Elevation X blower does not run without power; the Vector has no blower.
Who installs it?
A licensed gas professional handles the gas connection and venting; framing and finish is standard carpentry. Budget the installer into the project.
How does a fireplace ship?
Freight to the lower 48 is included, with liftgate delivery. Inspect the shipment before you sign; if anything is damaged, note it on the delivery receipt and call us. We'll handle the claim with the distributor and manufacturer. How freight delivery works →
Get the Model, Size and Parts List Confirmed Before You Order
Send us the wall width, where the exterior wall or roof is relative to the fireplace, the fuel at the house, and whether a TV is going above. You'll get a written quote for the complete build — fireplace, required interior, options and venting — checked against Napoleon's installation manual. No obligation, and if the smaller model is the right one, that's the answer you'll get.
Call or text us → | Call or text (814) 440-4817, Mon–Fri 9 AM–8 PM ET | See both Napoleon direct-vent lines →
American Hearth Supply — Authorized Napoleon Dealer. Specifications are from Napoleon's specification sheets and installation manuals (W415-2000, W415-2034); build to the installation manual.
