Napoleon's gas fireplace range is wide enough that the first decision isn't the size, it's the series. A compact Ascent, a deep Elevation X and a 74-inch Vector are all "Napoleon direct vent gas fireplaces", but they suit different rooms, different framing and different budgets.
This guide walks through every Napoleon gas series we carry, with the heat output, viewing area and framing figures from Napoleon's own product pages, specification sheets and installation manuals. Where a figure isn't published, we've left it out rather than guess.
The short answer
- A traditional log fire in a standard 36 or 42 inch opening → Ascent
- A modern linear look on a modest budget → Ascent Linear
- A deep, realistic log fire that heats the room → Elevation X
- A wide linear feature wall, or a see-through between two rooms → Vector
- Converting an existing wood-burning fireplace to gas → Oakville gas inserts
- A covered patio or lanai → Galaxy outdoor
The range side by side
Natural gas input ratings. Propane ratings run slightly lower.
| Series | Style | Sizes we carry | Max input (BTU) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ascent | Traditional logs | 36, 42 | 18,000 / 22,000 |
| Ascent Linear | Linear, glass bed | 36, 42, 46 | 17,500 / 20,000 / 24,000 |
| Elevation X | Deep traditional logs | 36, 42 | 37,000 / 45,000 |
| Vector | Wide linear, single-sided or see-through | 38, 50, 62, 74 | 30,000 / 36,000 / 42,000 / 48,000 |
| Oakville inserts | Gas insert for an existing fireplace | Oakville 3, X3, X4 | 24,500 / 30,000 / 40,000 |
| Galaxy | Outdoor linear | 50, 62, 74 | 50,000 / 60,000 / 70,000 |
Ascent: the traditional starting point
The Ascent is Napoleon's builder-friendly direct vent fireplace: an oak log set over a glowing ember bed in a compact box. The Ascent 36 (B36NTRE-1) is rated up to 18,000 BTU with a 30.69 × 23.69 inch viewing area, in a unit 35 inches wide, 34.63 inches high and 15.75 inches deep. The Ascent 42 (B42NTRE) steps up to 22,000 BTU.
Ascent comes in two ignition types, and the model code tells you which. NTR is millivolt with a standing pilot. NTRE is electronic ignition: there's no pilot burning gas through the off-season, and a battery back-up lets it light during a power outage. We list the electronic versions.
Who it suits: a living room or bedroom where the fireplace is a focal point and supplemental heat, not the main heat source.
Ascent Linear: the modern look in a compact box
Ascent Linear keeps the Ascent's shallow framing but swaps the log box for a long, low flame over a glass or media bed. The viewing area is the same 16.75 inches tall across all three sizes; what changes is the width.
- Ascent Linear 36 (BL36NTE-2): 17,500 BTU natural gas (16,000 propane), 30.75 × 16.75 inch viewing area, framing 36.5 W × 39.38 H × 16 D inches
- Ascent Linear 42 (BL42NTE): 20,000 BTU, 37.75 × 16.75 inch viewing area
- Ascent Linear 46 (BL46NTE-1): 24,000 BTU, 41.65 × 16.75 inch viewing area, framing 47.38 W × 39.38 H × 18.56 D inches
Venting, from Napoleon's Ascent Linear installation manual (W415-10009842): the 36-2, 42 and 46-1 use 4 inch exhaust / 7 inch intake direct vent pipe, with a maximum of 40 feet vertical and 20 feet horizontal. Controls are SIT Proflame II with battery back-up; the eFIRE app is optional.
Who it suits: a contemporary room where the look matters more than heat output. If you want the linear look at 48 inches and up, see Vector below.
Elevation X: the deep log fire
Elevation X is the series to choose if you want a fire that looks like a real wood fire and puts out real heat. The firebox is much deeper than the Ascent's (the 36 unit is 22.56 inches deep against the Ascent's 15.75), which gives room for a full log set and a taller flame.
- Elevation X 36 (EX36NTEL): 37,000 BTU natural gas (34,000 propane), 30.44 × 24.94 inch viewing area, framing 39.75 W × 43.75 H × 22.25 D inches
- Elevation X 42 (EX42NTEL): 45,000 BTU, 36.44 × 28.94 inch viewing area, framing 45.75 W × 47.75 H × 22.25 D inches
Two things to know before ordering. The eFIRE app and a remote are included, and there's an electric ember bed under the logs. And the log set is sold separately but required to complete the unit: choose oak, driftwood or birch. Driftwood is the one we'd point a coastal home toward. Napoleon's specification sheet calls for a minimum enclosure height of 72 inches.
Who it suits: a family room where the fireplace is used most evenings, or anyone replacing a wood fireplace who doesn't want to give up the look of logs.
Vector: wide linear and see-through
Vector is Napoleon's contemporary linear line for feature walls. Every size shares the same 18-5/8 inch glass height, so the choice is about width and heat.
- Vector 38: 30,000 BTU, single-sided or see-through
- Vector 50: 36,000 BTU, single-sided or see-through
- Vector 62: 42,000 BTU
- Vector 74 (LV74N): 48,000 BTU, 76.75 × 18.62 inch viewing area, in a unit 89.31 inches wide
Who it suits: open-plan living spaces and new builds where the fireplace is the wall. The see-through 38 and 50 sit in a dividing wall and serve two rooms at once. Browse all sizes in Napoleon fireplaces or the wider linear gas fireplaces collection.
Oakville gas inserts: converting a wood fireplace
An insert slides into an existing masonry or factory-built wood fireplace and vents through liners run up the old chimney. The Oakville range covers three sizes:
- Oakville 3: 24,500 BTU
- Oakville X3 (GDIX3N-1): 30,000 BTU. Minimum opening 21 inches high × 29 inches wide × 14-3/8 inches deep (add 2-3/4 inches of depth if you fit the blower), minimum 6 inch round flue (Oakville X3 installation manual W415-4083).
- Oakville X4 (GDIX4N-1): 40,000 BTU natural gas (36,000 propane), 27.75 × 18.69 inch viewing area. Minimum opening 24-5/8 inches high × 34-1/4 inches wide × 17-3/4 inches deep, minimum 6 inch round flue (Oakville X4 installation manual W415-3034).
The Oakville vents through one 3 inch intake liner and one 3 inch exhaust liner, with a vent length of 10 to 45 feet (Oakville installation manual W415-3034). The X4 has a 4 × AA battery back-up for ignition.
Measure before you choose. Our insert sizing guide covers the five measurements that matter, and fireplace inserts lists every insert we carry.
Galaxy: outdoor linear for a covered patio
Galaxy is Napoleon's outdoor linear range: a 304 stainless steel firebox and burner, a 20 inch tall viewing area across every width, clear glass embers included, and LED lighting in the wind guard and ember bed. All three ship in natural gas with electronic ignition; a propane conversion kit is available. Figures below are from Napoleon's product pages.
- Galaxy 50 (GSS50NE): 50,000 BTU, framing 55 W × 40.5 H × 17 D inches
- Galaxy 62 (GSS62NE): 60,000 BTU, 62 × 20 inch viewing area, framing 67 W × 40.5 H × 17 D inches
- Galaxy 74 (GSS74NE): 70,000 BTU, 74 × 20 inch viewing area, framing 79 W × 40.5 H × 17 D inches
Each size can be made see-through with Napoleon's stainless conversion kit, chosen at the time of order, and there's an optional screen kit, weather cover and heat management system for covered structures. The single installation manual covers all three models (W415-10003415).
It's an outdoor-only appliance. On a coastal patio, stainless construction is what does the work against salt air. Napoleon's Galaxy manual calls for shutting off the gas supply before fitting the optional stainless weather cover, which is the routine we'd follow through hurricane season and any long spell of non-use. See all outdoor fireplaces.
Fuel, power and controls
- Natural gas or propane: most models are listed in natural gas. Conversion uses Napoleon's fuel conversion kit for that model and must be done by a qualified installer.
- Power outages: the electronic-ignition models we list have battery back-up for ignition. Blowers need mains power, so they won't run in an outage.
- eFIRE: Napoleon's app connects over Bluetooth, not Wi-Fi, to one device at a time, and the handheld remote overrides it.
- Reading the model code: N is natural gas and P is propane; E is electronic ignition. A -1 or -2 on the end marks a design revision, so order trims and accessories to match the full code.
Venting
Every indoor series in this guide is direct vent: a sealed firebox that draws combustion air from outside and exhausts through co-axial pipe. The built-in fireplaces vent through a wall or roof with no chimney needed; the Oakville inserts vent up the existing chimney through their two 3 inch liners. Either way, the vent system has to be the one the manual approves. Our venting guide explains the systems, and direct vent venting cost prices four common runs.
Warranty
Napoleon's indoor gas fireplaces carry the President's Limited Lifetime Warranty; the outdoor Galaxy carries a 5-year limited warranty. If a claim is needed, we handle it through our distributor on your behalf.
Inspect your delivery before you sign for it. Refuse visible damage at the door, and report concealed damage within 48 hours. Freight damage is a carrier claim, not a warranty claim, so this step matters.
Napoleon or Majestic?
We carry both, and they overlap at every price point. If you're comparing, the Majestic range runs from the value Quartz to the wide Echelon II linear, and our gas vs wood guide covers the bigger fuel decision first.
REMEMBER
Your local authority having jurisdiction may enforce building codes that differ from the manufacturer's instructions. Gas fireplaces must be installed by a qualified, licensed installer, following the appliance's installation manual for gas supply, venting, clearances to combustibles and framing. Never vent a direct vent fireplace with pipe the manual doesn't approve.
Send us your room size, wall width and photos of where the fireplace will go, and we'll help you narrow the series and size before you order. Browse the full Napoleon range.
By Matthew Murphy
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