The L38FSD from Montigo
One fire, two rooms, and the same view of it from both. The Montigo L38FSD is a 38-inch see-through direct-vent gas fireplace: 27,000 BTU/hr on natural gas, a 35-1/4" x 19-3/8" viewing area on each side, a 41" W x 40" H x 23-3/4" D framed opening, from $5,879, and a 15-year parts warranty on the firebox and burner. Four factory builds: natural gas or propane, standing pilot or electronic ignition.
Choose it if you want one fire visible from two rooms — a partition wall between living and dining, kitchen and den — with the contemporary Ice fireglass burner seen from both sides, and you want the choice between a piezo-lit standing pilot and Proflame 2 electronic ignition.
It is not right if one side would face outdoors — see-through models cannot straddle indoor and outdoor spaces; if your partition wall cannot carry 23-3/4 in. of framing depth; if you want halogen uplighting, which is not available on any see-through Phenom; or if you want remote or app control on a standing-pilot build — the multi-function remote and WiFi work only with the electronic-ignition builds.
Specifications
Frame a rough opening 41 in. wide, 40 in. tall, and 23-3/4 in. deep, and install the two supplied galvanized metal headers 34-1/2 in. from the base of the unit. Side clearance to combustibles is 1 in., floor clearance zero, and a combustible shelf above needs 10 in. on a side-vent install or 17-1/2 in. top-vent. It runs on natural gas (5.5 in. w.c. minimum inlet) or propane (11 in. w.c.). Ignition depends on the build: L38FSDN/L use a standing pilot with piezo igniter and manual Hi-Lo flame control; L38FSDNI/LI use SIT Proflame 2 electronic ignition on 120 VAC, 60 Hz, 6 A power. Spec-sheet efficiency runs 58–59.6% depending on fuel and ignition.
L38FSD vs. the other see-through sizes and the single-sided 38s
Need a wider two-sided flame? The L42FSD (from $7,059) steps up to 34,000 BTU/hr with a 39-1/2" x 20-5/16" view per side, and the L52FSD (from $9,989) to 40,000 BTU/hr at 47 inches wide — note the 42 loses the straight-out side vent and the 52 is top-vent only. If you only need one viewing side, the single-sided 38s frame into a shallower 20-1/8-inch wall: the Full Load P38DF ($6,249) with remote, fans, uplighting, and battery backup standard, or the Basic PL38DF (from $4,339).
Answers to common questions
What venting does the L38FSD need, and is it in the box?
Vent pipe is sold separately and sized to your layout. The L38FSD uses 5 in. inner / 8 in. outer coaxial direct vent, ships set up for top venting, and can side vent — it is the one see-through Phenom that may side-vent straight out the wall, up to 12 in. of horizontal with no vertical rise. Multi-elbow side runs need at least 42 in. of vertical rise; top-vent wall terminations need 42 in. minimum vertical, and roof terminations can run up to 32 ft above the unit. Beyond Montigo pipe, approved alternates include DuraVent 58DVA-series, ICC, MetalFab, Selkirk, and Flexmaster components — The Torch Guys stocks compatible DuraVent.
Will it work during a power outage?
It depends on which one you order. The standing-pilot builds (L38FSDN natural gas, L38FSDL propane) use a SIT NOVA 820 valve lit by a push-button piezo igniter, so ignition does not depend on your home's electrical supply. The electronic-ignition builds (L38FSDNI, L38FSDLI) use SIT Proflame 2 and need 120 V power to light; the AF40BP battery backup tray (four AA batteries) is an available option worth adding if outages are common where you live.
Can it sit in a wall between indoors and outdoors?
No. Montigo is explicit that indoor see-through models cannot be installed as indoor/outdoor fireplaces, because air flows through both sides of the unit. Both faces must be in the same conditioned indoor space. There is one approved outdoor application — a fully protected outdoor room with the entire fireplace inside it and the 75% overhang coverage rules met — but never one side in, one side out. It also cannot be recessed into a wall cavity.
What’s included, what’s required, and what’s optional?
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Included in the box: the contemporary burner with Ice fireglass, glass on both sides with the required safety barriers, micro mesh screens, and manual Hi-Lo flame control.
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Required to complete the installation, purchased separately: the vent pipe and termination — Montigo pipe, or a manual-approved alternate from DuraVent, ICC, MetalFab, Selkirk, or Flexmaster.
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Optional: the multi-function remote and WiFi phone app control (electronic-ignition builds only — neither works with standing-pilot models), the AF40BP battery backup tray, surrounds, glass media, and remote-controlled fans.
Is the Montigo warranty valid if I buy online?
It matters where you buy. Montigo's residential warranty is not applicable to equipment sold direct to consumer through internet or auction sites that are not authorized dealers. The Torch Guys is 1 of only 3 authorized Montigo e-commerce dealers in the United States, so buying here keeps your coverage intact: 15 years parts on the firebox, heat exchanger, and main burner (1 year labor), 15 years on Montigo venting, 10 years on Montigo terminations, and 1 year on most other components. Montigo requires licensed professional installation and annual service to maintain coverage. If you ever need a claim, we file it with Montigo on your behalf — call us at (410) 324-6322.
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