Napoleon makes two linear direct vent gas fireplace lines that overlap in width: the Vector (38", 50", 62" and 74") and the Tall Linear Vector (50", 62" and 74"). Both come single-sided or see-through, both use the same 5"/8" direct vent pipe, and both are certified to CSA 2.22 / ANSI Z21.50 as vented decorative gas appliances.
The differences are the height of the glass, the venting numbers, and the price. Every figure below comes from Napoleon's installation manuals (W415-2034 for the Vector, W415-4121 for the Tall Vector, both revision 01.29.26) and the specification sheets (W415-1873 to 1876 for the Vector, W415-4142 to 4144 for the Tall Vector). Measure your wall, then read the tables.
Format: a Ribbon or a Window
Vector is the wide, low format. The glass opening is 18 5/8" high in every size, and the unit itself is 41 3/16" tall.
Tall Vector keeps the same widths but raises the opening to 26 13/16" high, on a unit 47 15/16" tall. The opening is 8 3/16" taller and about 3/16" narrower than the Vector of the same nominal size.
| Model | Viewing area (W × H) | Unit W × H |
|---|---|---|
| Vector 38 (LV38) | 40 3/4" × 18 5/8" | 53 5/16" × 41 3/16" |
| Vector 50 (LV50) | 52 3/4" × 18 5/8" | 65 5/16" × 41 3/16" |
| Vector 62 (LV62) | 64 3/4" × 18 5/8" | 77 5/16" × 41 3/16" |
| Vector 74 (LV74) | 76 3/4" × 18 5/8" | 89 5/16" × 41 3/16" |
| Tall Vector 50 (TLV50) | 52 9/16" × 26 13/16" | 65 5/16" × 47 15/16" |
| Tall Vector 62 (TLV62) | 64 9/16" × 26 13/16" | 77 5/16" × 47 15/16" |
| Tall Vector 74 (TLV74) | 76 9/16" × 26 13/16" | 89 5/16" × 47 15/16" |
Sources: Vector specification sheets W415-1873 / 1874 / 1875 / 1876 (page 1); Tall Vector specification sheets W415-4142 / 4143 / 4144 (pages 1–2). The viewing area is the opening inside the finishing flange, and Napoleon's manuals say framing or finishing materials must never encroach inside that flange (W415-2034 page 12, W415-4121 page 12).
Depth: the Number That Decides the Wall
This one surprises people, because it is not a Vector-versus-Tall-Vector difference at all. It is a single-sided-versus-see-through difference, and it is the same in both lines.
| Configuration | Unit depth | Framing depth | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vector single-sided (all sizes) | 19 7/8" | 20 1/8" | W415-2034 p. 12 and 30; spec sheets p. 1 |
| Vector see-through (all sizes) | 16 3/16" | 16 3/16" | W415-2034 p. 13 and 30; spec sheets p. 1 |
| Tall Vector single-sided (all sizes) | 19 7/8" | 20 1/8" | W415-4121 p. 12 and 31; spec sheets p. 1 |
| Tall Vector see-through (all sizes) | 16 3/16" | 16 3/16" | W415-4121 p. 13 and 31; spec sheets p. 2 |
Neither unit fits inside an ordinary stud wall. Both are framed into a purpose-built enclosure: a chase or bump-out for a single-sided unit, or a divider wall built to the unit's depth for a see-through. The depth figure tells you how thick that enclosure has to be. A single-sided Vector or Tall Vector needs 20 1/8" of framing depth. A see-through needs 16 3/16", and because it is open on both faces, that 16 3/16" is the framed thickness of the divider wall, before drywall or stone goes on each face.
So if you are choosing between the two lines for a divider wall, the depth is a wash. If you are choosing between single-sided and see-through, it is 4" of wall.
Framing Dimensions, Every Size
These are the minimum framing figures from the rough framing pages of each manual. Width and depth are the rough opening; the minimum enclosure/ceiling height is measured from the bottom of the appliance, and Napoleon notes it "may be higher depending on venting configuration."
| Model | Framing width | Framing depth (single / see-through) | Opening height | Min. enclosure / ceiling height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vector 38 (LV38-1) | 53 13/16" | 20 1/8" / 16 3/16" | not published | 73" |
| Vector 50 (LV50-2) | 65 13/16" | 20 1/8" / 16 3/16" | not published | 73" |
| Vector 62 (LV62) | 77 13/16" | 20 1/8" / 16 3/16" | not published | 91" |
| Vector 74 (LV74) | 89 13/16" | 20 1/8" / 16 3/16" | not published | 91" |
| Tall Vector 50 (TLV50) | 65 13/16" | 20 1/8" / 16 3/16" | 48 3/16" | 73" |
| Tall Vector 62 (TLV62) | 77 13/16" | 20 1/8" / 16 3/16" | 48 3/16" | 91" |
| Tall Vector 74 (TLV74) | 89 13/16" | 20 1/8" / 16 3/16" | 48 3/16" | 91" |
Sources: Vector W415-2034 page 30 (dimensions E, F and L); Tall Vector W415-4121 page 31 (E, F and L) and specification sheets W415-4142 / 4143 / 4144 page 3 (dimension K, the header height of the opening). The Vector documents publish no separate opening height, only the enclosure height, so that cell is left blank rather than estimated. Both manuals say the appliance does not need to be elevated above the floor (dimension J is optional).
Note what the table shows: the Tall Vector 50 and the Vector 50 need the same 65 13/16" width, the same 20 1/8" depth and the same 73" enclosure height. The taller glass does not cost you framing.
Output, Both Fuels
These are the maximum input ratings from the rates tables in each manual, at 0–4,500 ft. Napoleon certifies both lines as vented decorative gas appliances, not heaters, and both manuals say so in the same words: "This appliance is a decorative product. It is not a source of heat." Treat these as input figures, not room-heating figures.
| Model | Maximum input, natural gas | Maximum input, propane |
|---|---|---|
| Vector 38 | 30,000 BTU/h | 26,500 BTU/h |
| Vector 50 | 36,000 BTU/h | 31,500 BTU/h |
| Vector 62 | 42,000 BTU/h | 35,000 BTU/h |
| Vector 74 | 48,000 BTU/h | 41,500 BTU/h |
| Tall Vector 50 | 36,000 BTU/h | 31,500 BTU/h |
| Tall Vector 62 | 44,000 BTU/h | 38,000 BTU/h |
| Tall Vector 74 | 48,000 BTU/h | 41,500 BTU/h |
Sources: W415-2034 page 6 (single-sided and see-through share the same ratings); W415-4121 page 6. The Tall Vector 62 is rated 2,000 BTU/h above the Vector 62; the 50 and 74 are rated the same in both lines.
Venting: Where the Two Lines Differ
Both lines use a 5" exhaust / 8" air intake vent system (W415-2034 page 14; W415-4121 page 14). On natural gas, both share the same overall limits: total vertical plus horizontal run (V + H) of no more than 40 ft, horizontal (H) of no more than 20 ft, with longer runs requiring a power vent (W415-2034 pages 19–22; W415-4121 pages 19–22). For a roof termination, both manuals call a 6 ft vertical rise "the minimum practical dimension" and note that codes or the building may require more (W415-2034 page 22; W415-4121 page 22).
The wall-termination minimums are where they part ways. This is the shortest vertical rise from the base of the air collar before the vent can turn and go out through the wall, and the longest horizontal run allowed at that minimum rise. Natural gas models:
| Model | Minimum vertical rise (wall termination) | Maximum horizontal at that rise |
|---|---|---|
| Vector single-sided, all sizes | 30" | 18" |
| Vector 38 and 50 see-through | 30" | 40" (LV38) / 46 1/2" (LV50) |
| Vector 62 and 74 see-through | 48" | 52 1/2" (LV62) / 58 1/2" (LV74) |
| Tall Vector single-sided, all sizes | 22" | 18" |
| Tall Vector 50 see-through | 22" | 46 1/2" |
| Tall Vector 62 see-through | 40" | 52 1/2" |
| Tall Vector 74 see-through | 50" | 58 1/2" |
Sources: Vector W415-2034 page 16 (typical venting installation) and pages 19–20 (natural gas horizontal termination charts); Tall Vector W415-4121 page 16 and pages 19–20. The Tall Vector's 22" single-sided minimum is 8" shorter than the Vector's 30", which matters when the fireplace sits low on a wall with a window or a low eave above it.
Propane changes the picture for the Vector. The Tall Vector's propane charts (W415-4121 pages 23–24) carry the same rise and horizontal figures as the natural gas charts, with rigid venting required. The Vector's propane models have their own charts (W415-2034 pages 23–25) that cap the horizontal run at 10 ft for the LV38 and 4 3/8 ft for the LV50, LV62 and LV74, and mark some short-rise configurations as vertical termination only. If you are on propane and looking at a Vector, plan the vent from those three pages, not from the table above.
Whichever line you choose, the vent path decides the location before the framing does. Both manuals open the rough framing section with the same instruction: determine the vent requirements before deciding the final location of the appliance. Our direct vent gas fireplace buying guide walks through the vent path in more detail.
What They Cost
Current pricing on our site, natural gas models:
| Line | Single-sided | See-through |
|---|---|---|
| Vector 38 / 50 / 62 / 74 | $5,039 / $5,729 / $9,169 / $11,459 | $6,179 / $7,439 / $10,889 / $13,189 |
| Tall Vector 50 / 62 / 74 | $8,019 / $11,459 / $13,749 | $9,459 / $12,799 / $15,019 |
| Tall Vector with Luminous Logs 50 / 62 / 74 | $12,609 / $16,039 / $18,339 | $13,909 / $17,249 / $19,479 |
So the Vector line runs from $5,039 to $13,189 and the Tall Vector line from $8,019 to $19,479. Size for size, the Tall Vector 50 single-sided is $2,290 above the Vector 50, and the 74 is $2,290 above the Vector 74. The Luminous versions share the standard Tall Vector's dimensions and framing (the specification sheets list TLV50N and TLV50LN in the same row), and they are sold without their log set; the Luminous log kit is a separate line on the product page.
Which One Fits Your Wall
Work through these in order. Each answer comes from the framing table above, not from taste.
| What you measured | What it rules in |
|---|---|
| Less than 65 13/16" of framing width available | Vector 38 only (53 13/16" framing width). The Tall Vector starts at 65 13/16". |
| 65 13/16" to 77 13/16" of width | Vector 50 or Tall Vector 50. Same width, depth and enclosure height; the choice is 18 5/8" of glass height versus 26 13/16". |
| Less than 91" from the bottom of the unit to the ceiling | The 38 and 50 sizes in either line (73"). The 62 and 74 in both lines need 91". |
| Standard 8 ft ceiling (96") and the unit on the floor | Any size in either line clears the 91" minimum with the unit at floor level, subject to the venting note above. Raise it on a hearth and you have to subtract the hearth height. |
| Wider than 89 13/16" and a 91"+ enclosure | Vector 74 or Tall Vector 74. Same 89 13/16" × 20 1/8" framing. |
| An interior divider wall | See-through in either line, framed 16 3/16" deep. Read our see-through framing guide before anyone cuts a stud. |
| Less than 30" of rise available above the air collar before the wall exit | Tall Vector single-sided (22" minimum). The Vector needs 30". |
One more measurement matters if a television is going above the fireplace: the Tall Vector's opening finishes 8 3/16" higher on the wall, so the screen goes up with it. Our TV above a gas fireplace guide covers the clearances.
If your wall is narrow or your ceiling is high, the linear format may not be the right answer at all; see Elevation X vs. Vector.
Both Lines, Same Paperwork
Both lines carry the Napoleon Gas Appliance President's Lifetime Limited Warranty (section 16.0 of each installation manual), which applies because we are an authorized Napoleon dealer. Both require a licensed gas fitter and a vent path planned before framing. We supply the equipment and quote the complete build; your installer works from the installation manual for your exact model.
Send Us the Wall
Width, height to the ceiling, where the vent can exit, and a photo. We will tell you which of these seven sizes fits and what it costs finished.
(814) 440-4817 — American Hearth Supply, Authorized Napoleon Dealer
