At IBS 2026, Jordan Smith — a design builder in Austin, Texas — stopped by the Mendota and NetZero Fire booth to take a closer look at the latest fireplace technology. While he’s never been a fan of water vapor or holographic fireplaces, he admits these are some of the better versions on the market. What truly stood out, however, was Mendota’s direct vent gas fireplace featuring flames that travel through the logs and real carbon embers that spark as they heat up — creating one of the most convincing gas fireplaces he’s ever seen. As someone who builds tight, high-performance homes where traditional wood-burning fireplaces are no longer practical, this setup may be the closest thing to real fire without sacrificing performance.

Watch full episodes of Jordan Smith and follow him on Instagram and on the web.
Jordan Smith's Episodes
Jordan Smith's Instagram
Smith House
Build Show Newsletter Sign-Up