Custom Fireplace Glass Doors

When it comes to fireplace glass doors there are hundreds of options available. Whether you choose a stock or custom door really  depends   on the size and style of your fireplace and what kind you’re looking to have. In this article we will discuss the reasons you might choose a custom fireplace glass door as opposed to a standard, stock sized door.

Typically the reason a homeowner chooses a custom door because of a unique size. Stock fireplace doors are generally made in just a few sizes so you may see something you like but it just won’t fit your fireplace. In that case, you may be able to get something made that is similar but is the correct size for your opening. Many times fireplace openings will be much too large for a stock door or you may have a smaller opening that is not a common size.

Another reason you may choose a custom fireplace glass door is because you have a unique opening on your fireplace. Stock sized doors are generally not made to fit anything that is not perfectly square. For example, if you have a Rumford style fireplace (a fireplace opening that is taller than it is wide) or an arched opening you most likely will not find a stock size to fit. Many fireplaces even have unique openings, like a scrolling design at the top, for which fireplace doors are not traditionally made and would require custom design.

In some cases, a stock size may fit your opening but it wouldn’t look like you had pictured. If you already have a door on your fireplace and are looking to replace it you may also require a precise fit. A stock sized door may be slightly larger and overlap more than your previous door and cover decorative tile or marble. Alternately, a stock size that will fit your opening may be smaller than your current door leaving exposed brick or tile that is now discolored or damaged from having a door attached to it. A custom door can easily solve both of these problems by providing a perfect fit made to your specifications.

Perhaps you’re not dealing with a unique shape or size but just have a specific design in mind. With so many doors on the market, you can get just about anything you can imagine. Fireplace glass doors come in endless styles to fit any décor. There are a variety of craftsman style doors with unique designs that are only made to order. Most steel doors are only custom made and have heavier hinges and feel and have smoother opening and closing doors. Many stock doors are only available in a few stock colors, but the same door may also be available in a custom color to coordinate with your decor.

Whatever your reason for choosing a custom door, there are hundreds of options for you to peruse through at your leisure to be sure you get exactly what you want. While this can be an overwhelming task, there are always product experts who can help you narrow it down. You may even be able to send a picture of what you want and have something completely custom designed and made for you. Keep in mind that while custom doors are beautiful, they can also be a bit pricier than their stock sized counterparts but as the saying goes “you get what you pay for.” With a custom fireplace glass door, you certainly will not be disappointed.

Fireplace Doors: Cabinet VS Bi-Fold

Depending on the appearance and functionality you would like from your fireplace – it’s crucial to know what kind of fireplace door that you want. Not only does the appearance of the door matter, but so does the look of the glass. Cabinet and Bi-Fold doors both have different qualities to them that make it important to know exactly what you are looking for.

Bi-fold fireplace doors are made of a pair of doors that each house two panes of glass and open like a closet. These doors are great for homes with small children – they are difficult for small hands to open. Bi-fold doors are also available with a tracked or trackless frame. Tracked doors open similar to closet doors. They are also the most preferred – when opening they don’t fold back completely, which means that they won’t break if your fireplace has a rough or uneven surface.
Trackless doors open like closet doors, but can then be folded over onto themselves to give you a wider view of your fire. Also -thanks to the way they open -trackless doors are much easier to clean.

Although Bi-Fold doors will help to keep you warm during the chilly months, cabinet fireplace doors are much more energy efficient. Each door only has one pane, meaning there are fewer seams for any air to escape from. This style of door can fully swing open 180 degrees, and have much easier pull handles than Bi-Fold Doors. Many people prefer this style of fireplace doors because of their elegant and simple look.

When choosing your fireplace door, you will also have the option of purchasing a mesh screen. There are two different types of mesh screens – mesh doors and mesh curtains. Mesh doors open very easily; however, you can’t get a clear view of the fire unless you open them completely. With mesh screens, you can slide the screens easily to the side to get a better view of your fire. Both serve the same purpose – keeping hot ash from escaping the fire and from items entering your fire when the glass doors are open. Choosing the right screen for you depends on how you would prefer to view your fire.

Here are a few short video clips to give you a better idea of how Bi-Fold and Cabinet style doors function:

Bi-Fold Tracked

Bi-Fold Trackless

Cabinet

Outside Fireplace Doors

Your indoor fireplace is not the only one that needs a set of fireplace doors. It’s important to remember that if you have an outdoor fireplace – they need them too! Just like indoor fireplace doors, outside fireplace doors are available in both bi-fold and cabinet styles.

When getting ready to purchase your outside fireplace door, it’s imperative that you choose the best door for you. Only certain colors and materials will hold up well against Mother Nature, and you want to make sure that your outside fireplace door will last you for an extended time. All parts are made from non-corrosive materials. This is to help maintain the beauty and natural state of the door.

Stainless steel doors are a bit pricier, but will hold up the best in all types of weather. This material holds up better than any other outside fireplace doors on the market. There are also doors that have a powder coat finish. This finish helps to retain the color of the door – however – darker doors are still likely to fade. There are other finishes available for an outside fireplace door, but the powder coat finish also comes highly recommended.

For most indoor fireplaces, you will want to have a fireplace screen. However, in your outside fireplace door you will not. Fireplace screens that are in an outside fireplace door are subject to rusting  due to weather. Over the years outdoor fireplaces have become increasingly popular, and having a fireplace door will help to  complete and refine the look of your fireplace!

Fireplace Glass Doors – Quick Ship

Sometimes you just don’t have time to wait three, six, or even twelve weeks for your new fireplace glass door to be ready and we totally understand that.  Which is why we carry a great line of ready to order, or quickly engineered, doors that can be sent out within a week and at your door in about two weeks. 

If you think getting a door that fast is going to be expensive, that’s not necessarily true.  Although the price of fireplace doors can vary significantly depending on the size of the door, the materials used and the detail involved, most are very reasonable.  Especially when you consider how long that fireplace door will probably last.  The door you select can be as temporary or permanent as you want it to be and could potentially be there long after you’ve left that home behind.

So many of our customers actually decide to purchase a fireplace glass door at the last minute because of a special event, construction project, or holiday that we decided to dedicate a portion of our webstore specifically to that need.  If you check out our Quick-Ship Fireplace Glass Doors page, you’ll see quite a few options, all built and shipped out in 7 days or less.

Once you’ve made the decision that you need your door quickly you’ll most likely start to worry about the small selection being attractive and high quality and the good news is, they are!  I know you’re thinking it’s too good to be true, but really, they’re great doors.  Now, in order to get these to customers quickly most manufacturers stock materials in certain colors or with certain options, to keep things simple, but that doesn’t mean you can’t choose any options to your specifications.  Many have the option to choose the door style, mesh type, color, and size; although you will want to make sure once you start choosing options, the door is still available quickly.  Some options make a door take a bit longer because parts need to be ordered or they take longer to engineer.

So if you’re planning a special event and need that glass door installed or you’re just fed up with the draft coming down your chimney and into your living room, now is as good a time as any to buy your new door!

Custom Fireplace Door Templates

If you are purchasing an inside fit fireplace glass door for an arched fireplace, you are going to need to provide a template so that the door will closely fit your opening.  The following guide will show you step by step directions on how to successfully utilize your template.

1. Remove template from box

2. Unroll and place over fireplace opening

 

3. Tape the template to the outside of the fireplace

4. Carefully trace the entire arch opening of your fireplace

5. Wait for the marker to dry and carefully remove template and re-roll

6. Repackage and call Woodland Direct at 1-800-919-1904 for pickup

Fireplace Doors

Fireplace doors are a critical part of any home that has a fireplace. While most people believe that having a fireplace will allow you to control and create the heat in their home – they’re wrong. Installing fireplace doors has MANY benefits for both your home and your family.

Fireplace doors will make your home much safer. Doors will keep small children and pets out of the fireplace and out of harm’s way. They will contain any sparks, hot ashes, and other debris within the fireplace – instead of on your carpet. They will also prevent any pests that may enter your chimney from gaining entry into your home.

Owning a set of fireplace doors will also allow you to control the heat and increase the efficiency of your fireplace greatly. Doors will keep the cold air from entering your chimney, and the warm air from escaping out. Fireplace doors have been known to reduce air loss up the chimney by 90%. This will save you money on your gas bill in the long haul.

Installing fireplace doors is a great way to make your fireplace look complete. With so many designs and colors – you will be able to find a door that can complement any décor. There are many options ranging from metal types to colors.

There are fireplace doors to fit any size and shape fireplace. With many different manufacturers, you will be able to find whatever it is that you need or desire. You will be able to personalize your doors to fit your style. It’s a great way to tie in your fireplace with the rest of your home.

Installing fireplace doors is probably one of the easiest things you can do to contain the heat in your home and to save money!

Horizon Fireplace Door - Product Review

The Horizon Fireplace Glass Door is a great door that is set at a very reasonable price. The door comes standard with bronze tempered and edged glass, along with mesh curtains. One of the highlights of this door is that it is available in both custom and stock sizes. All stock sizes ship out fairly quickly, and the frame will already be fully assembled. There is also a five year warranty on the frame of this door.

This fireplace door is made with a 1 3/4" wide anodized aluminum frame and reinforced steel supports. The aluminum frame is lightweight, yet very strong and durable. The coating on the frame will not tarnish, even in salt-air climates!

The Horizon fireplace door has trim-less full fold doors that open and offer a full view of the fire. The doors have a track-less opening that allows for easier cleaning and safer burning. There is also an adjustable damper control that will help you to regulate the airflow to your fire.

The Horizon Fireplace Door is available in three attractive finishes and comes fully assembled and ready to install. There are many options available for you to customize your door to your liking. There are a number of colors and tints for the beveled glass available, as well as many different trim finishes.

With lots of available options to choose from the Horizon Fireplace Glass Door is a perfect way to personalize your fireplace!

The Sentinel Fireplace Door - Product Review

The Sentinel fireplace glass door is both beautifully and solidly constructed. The doors are made of welded/sanded plate and angle steel.

These cabinet style doors are easy to open but hold fast with the Sentinel’s unique clasp design. You won’t ever need to replace any broken magnets with this fireplace door.

The Sentinel fireplace door comes standard with an inset of mesh doors. These mesh doors, made by WD Metal-Craft, use tight-fitting mesh screen doors rather than the usual sliding mesh screen. This unique feature will make your fireplace easier to load, and ensures safety.

This fireplace door also comes with a number of options that are available at an additional cost.Some of the options available are glass options and additional finishes. These options will allow you to customize your fireplace doors to fit your home.

The Sentinel is a great door that will stand up to the test of time. With its simple and classic style, the Sentinel fireplace door will be the center of attention of your homes décor for many years to come.

The Rainbow Zero Clearance Fireplace Door - Product Review

The Rainbow Zero Clearance fireplace glass door is an exceptional door that is reasonably priced. This door, made in the U.S.A., is available in so many options that you are bound to find a look that will fit your home.

This door features an anodized aluminum frame that provides finish protection and heat resistance. The zero clearance design provides air gaps between each of the glass panels. This allows proper airflow to your fireplace that is required by firebox manufacturers.

The Rainbow Zero Clearance fireplace door comes standard with bronze tempered and edged glass. However, it has many different options so you can customize it to fit your home. With a number of finishes available, you will be able to have this glass door fit right in with the rest of your homes décor.

The Rainbow ZC fireplace doors fit hundreds of models of zero clearance fireplaces. There are a number of pre-fabricated sizes, and if you can’t find your size, they can be easily custom made to fit your fireplace.

One of the best things about the Rainbow fireplace door is that even if they are custom made, they ship out fairly quickly. There are also many different door styles, including; tracked, cabinet style, and fixed panel doors.

This is a great quality fireplace door listed at a great price. You will be sure to get the bang for your buck with the Rainbow Clearance ZC fireplace door!

The Brookfield Zero Clearance Fireplace Door - Product Review

The Brookfield Zero Clearance fireplace door features a classic style that is sure to enhance your homes’ décor. Available in 21 high quality finishes, you’re bound to find the perfect finish for you and your home. The Brookfield ZC is one of the most popular fireplace doors on the market.

Each door is custom made to fit your fireplace. This means that when your door arrives – it will be the perfect fit! This fireplace door has a 2” standard outer frame that emphasizes its simplistic and classic proportions. The Brookfield ZC Fireplace door is a timeless, elegant piece that will be sure to make your hearth the center of attention.

The Brookfield ZC fireplace door is made of aluminum, and it features a hidden draft control. These doors allow you to have a full view of your fire – there are no obstructions that can block your view. The handles are located near the top of the doors for easy gripping, so you will be able to easily tend to your fire.

By adding this timeless door to your fireplace, you will be sure to enjoy many relaxing hours gathered around the fire with your family and friends.

The Stiletto Zero Clearance Fireplace Door - Product Review

The Stiletto Zero Clearance fireplace door is a classic style that is sure to enhance any homes décor. This door, designed with beauty and style in mind, features a slim ½” frame that is both simple and classic. The Stiletto ZC is an inside fit only door. With 21 different powdercoat and anodized finishes to choose from, you are bound to find something that will match your home.

This fireplace door features full-vision glass doors that allow you to view your fire without any obstructions blocking it. The door is very sturdy, and provides a sense of safety around your hearth. With additional safety options – such as the child lock for the glass doors – you will be able to enjoy the comfort and peace of mind that this classic door will bring to your hearth.

The Stiletto ZC fireplace door also features:

• 6 different handle styles to choose from
• 3 different style doors – cabinet, bi-fold tracked, and bi-fold trackless
• 3 glass tones available – clear, grey, and bronze
• Option for a mesh curtain or an inset mesh gate

The mesh screen option is a great option to look into. A mesh screen protects your floor and the area around your fireplace from sparks. They provide added protection – but still allow you to view your fire clearly.

By adding this classic, timeless door to your fireplace, you will enjoy many relaxing hours around the fire with your friends and family. With so many different great options – you will be sure to find what you are looking for with the Stiletto ZC fireplace door!

The Mystique fireplace door is a beautiful door that requires no assembly. The fireplace door is constructed of a steel-reinforced, anodized aluminum rounded frame. The Mystique is a beautiful and simple door; however, one of the only requirements for it is that it must have a smooth, level mounting surface for installation.

The Mystique fireplace doors come standard with a 3/16” bronze tempered and edged glass. It also comes with mesh curtains. The full fold doors open 180 degrees for enhanced viewing and safety. These folding doors are made so that they are very easy to clean. They also feature a hidden damper control located at the bottom of the fireplace frame.

The Mystique fireplace door has a number of finishes including; polished brass, flat black, and a flat black frame with a polished brass door set trim.

There are also additional options that come with an added cost. Some of these are cabinet door sets, an option for clear or gray glass, different trim finish, and beveled glass.

Not only does the Mystique fireplace door have a simple, classic look, they arrive already assembled and ready to be installed!

The Slimline fireplace door is a great looking door that is made of an exceptional quality. This fireplace door, which is manufactured by Hearth Craft, will give your hearth an elegant look at a very reasonable price. The Slimline is also available in a large amount of standard sizes for your fireplace. This means that the Slimline door ships pretty quickly – so you will have it shortly after you order it.

The fireplace door frame options include; brass, satin nickel, flat black, or a flat black frame with a polished brass door finish. These bi-fold trackless doors open 180 degrees for enhanced viewing and safety. This also means that they are a lot easier to clean. These fireplace doors come standard with 3/16” clear tempered and edged glass, and a mesh curtain.

The Slimline is a great door if you aren’t looking to spend too much money. With so many different options – the Slimline is bound to match your room’s décor!

The Chalet fireplace glass door is a simple door, with its understated design making it a fit for both modern and traditional decor. This door is available in a limited number of sizes and comes only in a Matte Black finish. Despite the limited number of options, the Chalet is growing in popularity mainly due to its affordable price tag.

The frame is constructed of a durable anodized aluminum with internal gusseted supports. The finish is Matte Black (flat black) baked enamel. The glass is done in a standard ¼” thick tempered glass with a bronze tint. These fireplace doors are constructed with durable adjustable hinges which allow for the doors to fold back 180 degrees. This door comes with an option to add a traditional steel curtain or a solid panel gate style mesh door.

Being in stock, this door typically ships quick and is a great solution for builders and contractors who are looking for a door to cover an opening for the purpose of obtaining a certificate of occupancy.

Fireplace glass doors come equipped with a specially tempered glass that is designed to withstand high temperatures. Tempered glass is actually normal glass that has been heat treated to make it stronger. It can hold up to the thermal shock of high temperatures, and has the ability to reduce injury because of its breakage pattern.

Tempered glass used in fireplace doors is rated to withstand temperatures of up to 500 degrees for sustained periods of time, making it a perfect fit for your fireplace. While tempered glass does a nice job of withstanding high temperatures, it can break if exposed to direct contact with flame. As a general rule of thumb, it is a good idea to keep flames at least four inches from your fireplace glass doors.

Tempered glass also breaks different than regular glass. Instead of splintering into long jagged pieces like normal glass, an entire piece of tempered glass will fragment into small pieces. Fireplace glass doors are typically built with ¼” thick tempered glass, and are available in clear, bronze tint, gray tint, or mirrored options. Tempered glass can also be etched and or beveled for an extra design flair.

One of the most popular fireplace doors is the Shaker Collection fireplace glass door. This fireplace door has clean contemporary lines that will fit into any decor. Cabinet style fireplace doors open fully for easy access. Both the glass and mesh doors are removable for easy installation and cleaning. The Shaker Collection fireplace glass door has a powdercoat finish and comes in 11 different sizes.

Shaker Collection Features:
• Included Screen Mesh Door
• Clean 1 3⁄4" frame slim line design
• Double ball locks on doors & screens (securely closed)
• Angle frame – allowing for easy installation
• 5mm thick European tempered glass
• Rigid wrought iron angle & bar fabrication ensures perfect door alignment
• Hidden damper for enhanced appearance
• 100% welded construction on frame & doors
• Cabinet Style doors open full 180º for easy access to fireplace
• Quick removal of screen & glass doors for easy cleaning.
• Baked powdercoat anthracite finish (color of pencil lead)
• Lifetime warranty on all glass and 90 day warranty on frame.

When purchasing fireplace glass doors, one of the most important features to consider is the material out of which they are made. If you are looking for a higher quality metal and you enjoy the ‘polished’ look, Solid Brass is a great choice.

Brass metal is a very good material for fireplace doors because it is an alloy. An alloy is a compound that is comprised of two or more metals to increase the hardness of the resulting product. Brass that is yellow in color is made up of mostly copper and zinc. Copper or zinc alone would not be a suitable metal for fireplace door frame, but when combined they create a metal that is very strong and glossy.

Many customers choose brass for their fireplace glass doors because it looks similar to gold and it is relatively resistant to tarnishing – which means low maintenance. Most fireplace glass doors that are made from brass also feature a clear protective lacquer finish that coats the metal which nearly eliminates the possibility of the frame tarnishing.

Low maintenance, the look of gold and exceptional durability combines to make solid brass a great choice for fireplace glass doors for homeowners that enjoy a traditional and elegant decor.

When purchasing fireplace glass doors, one of the most important features to consider is the material out of which they are made.

Wrought Iron that is used commercially is nearly 100% pure except for a small amount of carbon. The iron is tough and durable, yet it is pliable and can be easily shaped making it ideal for commercial use.

The term wrought iron simply means that the iron has been formed or “worked” on – which in old English, the past tense for “work” is “wrought”.

Manufacturers have been using wrought iron to make fireplace glass door frames for some time. The metal is stronger and less prone to dents and scratches than anodized aluminum, and should be considered an upgrade. A major benefit to wrought iron is its ability to have a powder coat finish. The powder coat finish is much better than a wet finish where the paint is sprayed onto the frame. With a powder coat finish, an electrostatic charge is used to solidify the painting process. The result is an attractive, durable, high quality finish.

Fireplace doors that are made of wrought iron will tend to be priced a bit higher than an anodized aluminum door but less than an all steel door. The metal used for an all steel door has a higher carbon content which makes it even stronger than wrought iron, but the look is the same.

If you’re working on a tight budget, and you don’t necessarily need the quality of an all steel door, a wrought iron fireplace glass door can give you the same look as steel at a lower price.

When purchasing fireplace glass doors, one of the most important features to consider is the material that they are made of. There are a number of different types of materials used to fabricate fireplace glass doors, each having their own advantages.

Anodized Aluminum

This material is widely used for fireplace doors because of its beauty and durability. Aluminum is known for being lightweight and resilient; however, the addition of the anodized finish makes the aluminum extremely hard. The anodizing process is an electrochemical process that thickens and toughens the naturally occurring protective oxide. The result, depending on the process, is the second hardest substance known to man, second only to the diamond.

What does this mean to you?

The anodized aluminum frame is difficult to dent or warp and it is resistant to both abrasion and corrosion. The anodized aluminum will not tarnish, so it is very low maintenance. Also, because the anodizing process allows for dyes, the aluminum can be manufactured in a number of different colored finishes, making it easy to fabricate the fireplace door frames.

Though anodized aluminum is not as high quality as solid brass, wrought iron, or steel, there is a large supply available. This keeps the price low, and makes this material a great choice for low- to middle-end fireplace glass doors.

What are Zero-Clearance Fireplaces?

Zero-Clearance fireplaces are factory produced pre-built metal fireboxes. The name zero-clearance comes from the fact that combustible material (wood framing, etc) can be constructed right up to the metal fireplace unit, providing for "zero-clearance" to combustibles. This makes for easy framing and finishing, which in turn makes them a popular choice. Zero-clearance fireplaces, or as they are sometimes called "pre-fab fireplaces" also come with their own metal chimney, generally a double or triple walled air cooled chimney system.

Why Zero-Clearance Fireplaces?

Time and cost. Since these fireplaces are already factory built as stock units, they eliminate the laborious (and costly) task of building a custom-made masonry fireplace. Time and cost are two things a builder and homeowner both like to save.

The Zero-Clearance Fireplace Glass Door

There are many fireplace glass door manufacturers that specialize in making high quality fireplace doors for zero-clearance fireplaces. Many of these doors come with lifetime warranties on the glass, along with solidly built stylish frames built. You will be asked to provide the make and model of the zero-clearance fireplace you own, allowing the dealer to connect you to the right zero-clearance fireplace door. The after market fireplace doors are built to the manufacturers size specifications, making installation pretty much hassle free. No major tools are needed for installation, generally a screwdriver and some screws to connect the glass door frame brackets. You end up enhancing your fireplace, and at the same time keeping energy costs down by closing off one of the biggest holes in your home, the fireplace.

Energy Saving Fireplace Doors

There are three basic ways that a fireplace glass door can save energy dollars as well as make your home safer and more enjoyable.

1. When your fireplace is not in use an insulated "dead air" space between the closed damper and closed fireplace glass doors is created. This helps to keep the conditioned air in your home from escaping out of the chimney, as well as keeping outside air from coming in your home through your chimney and fireplace.

2. After you are done enjoying the fire you can close the fireplace doors while the fire is still burningl and help restrict the heat loss up the chimney while continuing to radiate heat into the room. This also allows you to safely let the fire die out without worrying about a fire hazard.

3. Fireplace glass doors can also provide a sound barrier for homes located in areas with high decibel noise activity. In fact there have been several airports that have soundproofed surrounding homes which included the installation of fireplace glass doors.

These are just a few basic reasons how fireplace doors can be efficient for you and your wallet.

When purchasing fireplace glass doors, one of the most important features to consider is the material that they are made of.

Steel is used in the fabrication of fireplace doors because of a few unique benefits that steel provides. Steel can be finished using a number of different methods, including the powder coat finish. Steel is also very durable and able to withstand the temperature fluctuations of the firebox. Other door frames made of lesser material may expand and contract with the change in temperature. In some instances, when the frame becomes too hot, the metal will expand and the doors will not open. In a worst-case scenario, the frame could be permanently altered or cracked.

Because of the durability of the material and the ability to apply a finish using multiple methods, steel is considered the optimum material for a fireplace glass door and is well worth the added cost.

When I was first introduced to the Decor Fireplace Glass Door, I was surprised to find that it had more stock sizes than any other door I had ever seen. Having over 50 stock sizes available really make this door a convenient purchase for homeowners. This is an entry level door, but it’s definitely on a higher level than fireplace doors that you might find in your local big box store.

The style of the door is designed to mimic a picture frame, which really helps to make your fireplace a focal point in the room. The stock frame has a series of beveled edges that really give the door some dimension. An added plus is that the frame is available in eight different finishes.

What really sets this door apart is its versatility. The Decor fireplace door can be purchased with or without the decorative ‘insert’. This is not a common feature so most homeowners don’t know what this is. The insert is a flat strip of metal with its own finish (available in eight finishes). It slides into the contours of the Decor frame and sits in the middle, covering the inner contours while exposing the outer beveled edge. This feature gives the door the ability to have two finishes which enables you to have an uniquely styled door.

This is a great feature, but it gets even better. Let’s say you design the Decor to match your current homes interior decoration and five years later you change the furnishings in the room. In most situations you would have to buy a new fireplace door to match, but with the Decor Fireplace Glass Door you can simply purchase new inserts, and presto – you have a whole new look to your fireplace door. You can further customize the door by changing the finish for the door handle and glass channel and even pick your own glass color.

The Good:

• A ton of stock sizes which keeps the pricing low
• Versatile design – looks great with the stock door or with the inserts
• Great price point
• In stock – so it ships quick

The Not-so-good:

• Because you have to burn with the doors open, if you have a wood burning fireplace a screen mesh is a must (most homeowners want this anyways as at some point you will want to burn the fire with the doors open)

Bottom Line:

Versatility and style at a great price point. If you are looking for a nice entry level fireplace door, this is one of the best.

The Hammered Edge Fireplace Door is one of the most popular high end fireplace doors on the market. This particular fireplace door is unique because it features hammered distressing on the edges of the steel frame, giving it a beautiful old world design. The quaint acorn hinges enhance this old world effect. The vertically curved handles are charming and make opening and closing the fireplace doors convenient.

This fireplace door is made from a heavy duty laser cut steel frame which means there are no seams, no welds, and no sagging hinges. It is available in the standard width size of 1 ½”, but is also offered in 1” and 2” widths. As a general rule, the larger the fireplace, the wider the frame should be. The Hammered Edge comes with a powder coat finish so there will be no rusting and the fireplace glass door will last for generations. It only comes in the vintage iron finish, but it is offered in almost any size since it is hand crafted to the specifications of each order. I think these fireplace glass doors would go remarkably well with a stone fireplace to complete the old world feel, and they can be installed as an inside or outside fit.

The hidden draft assembly of this fireplace glass door allows you to burn your fire with the doors closed while still allowing air to feed your fire. I feel that this is definitely a great choice if you have pets or children. A note of caution: some manufacturers don’t recommend that you burn a fire with the fireplace doors closed. If the fire is too large or too hot, it could conceivably cause the glass to break. A reasonable fire in a normal size fireplace should be fine. Check the paper work supplied by the fireplace door manufacturer for more information.

The Hammered Edge fireplace glass door is made of standard 1/4" thick tempered glass which is able to withstand high temperatures and resist breakage. Although clear glass goes nicely with any frame, there are three other colors tints you can choose from. This fireplace door works great with an electric fireplace heater. You can follow the link to read more about how to install a heater with a fireplace door.

There is only one minor drawback to the Hammered Edge fireplace door. This is not an in stock door and because of the added distressing features of the frame, the build time of 3-4 weeks is slightly longer than most custom fireplace doors. If you have the time and are willing to wait, you will definitely be satisfied with these fireplace glass doors.

Tempered Glass VS Ceramic Glass in Fireplace Doors

Most fireplace glass doors are manufactured using ¼” tempered glass. Tempered glass is simply glass that has been heated in a furnace and then quickly cooled. This process increases the strength of the glass and the ability of the glass to withstand the high temperatures associated with a fireplace. The average thermal shock rating (the temperature at which the structural integrity of the glass will fail and shatter) is between 400 -600 degrees Fahrenheit. This is usually sufficient for most wood and gas fireplaces.

Tempered glass is indeed the preferred glass for manufacturers for most fireplace doors because they have found that the increased strength of the tempered glass can make up for the weak structural integrity of many aluminum frames. Nearly all fireplace door manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty on the tempered glass, but as with all warranties, you must read the fine print. Most fireplace door warranties will tell you not to burn the fire with the doors closed or the warranty is voided; the reason being that a large fire could potentially exceed the thermal shock limits of the tempered glass and crack or shatter the glass.

To be fair, no manufacturer knows the exact condition of a customers fireplace or the size fire a customer intends to burn (turns out many homeowners enjoy bonfires in their fireplaces). So the question is often asked, “If I shouldn’t burn a fire with the fireplace doors closed, what is the purpose of the draft assembly?” Well, the answer is – so you can burn with the doors closed and still have combustion air feed the fire. This is a contradiction, but again, fireplace door manufacturers can’t be responsible for what someone does in their fireplace.

While I would never recommend forsomeone to burn a fire with their doors closed and the draft assembly open (for obvious legal reasons), if you were going to do so I would definitely recommend that you keep the fire about 6” back from the glass.

There is another alternative that is becoming increasingly popular; ceramic glass. Ceramic glass is a great option for fireplace doors for two main reasons:

1. It has a thermal shock rating of around 1380 Degrees Fahrenheit – far exceeding any fire you would want in your fireplace.

2. The process for creating ceramic glass is simplified allowing fireplace door manufacturers to stock and cut it themselves – what does this mean to you? A fireplace door manufacturer doesn’t have to wait for the glass to come in from the glass company which drastically reduces the build time for your fireplace door.

Are there any downsides to ceramic glass? I would say just one. While the thermal shock rating for ceramic glass vastly surpasses that of tempered glass, it does not have the same structural integrity. This could be an issue for aluminum fireplace doors that are not as sturdy as steel doors and are benefiting from the added integrity that the tempered glass provides. For this reason, I would stick with tempered glass in aluminum doors and ceramic glass in steel doors.

Bottom line: ceramic glass is a great upgrade for two reasons:

• Allows you to burn a hot fire with the fireplace doors closed
• Dramatically reduces the build time from 4-5 weeks to maybe just 1 week depending on the manufacturer.

There is a fireplace door on the Woodland Direct web site that features ceramic glass as a standard option. It is called the Sentry Fireplace Door and it has an incredible build time of just five days. Comes with a draft assembly so you can burn with the doors closed and it feature a flat black finish on a 3/16” steel frame.

I was talking with an individual the other day about a rather technical subject that I didn't know much about. He rattled off some big words and even some acronyms like IAD and DPI and I simply did what anyone else would do; I nodded my head and pretended to know what he was talking about while at the same time making a mental note to myself to look up those big words in Wikipedia when i got back to the office. I suppose I could have interrupted him and asked him point blank to explain it in plain English but the conversation was already going on for about 5 minutes more than I could handle and I am slightly ADD. My point is; ignorance is not always bliss.

I prefer to have a basic understanding of the subject I am discussing so as not to come off like an idiot. I can do a good job of 'faking it till I make it' but that always feels like cheating. I could use my new phone to look up these words on the internet - it only takes about 30 seconds to get an entire encyclopedia entry for just about any word - but my wife clued me in that this behavior is rather annoying.

How does this apply to shopping for fireplace doors? I have found that when homeowners are shopping for fireplace doors there needs to be a bit of an education so the homeowner can make a good buying decision. The technical terms that we throw around the office as often as a beauty pageant contestant says "like such as" are not that common to the average person.

That's what this blog entry is all about. There are a host of technical terms related to fireplace doors peppered all over this site and in our webstore. This blog is going to aggregate all those terms with their definitions so that you can quickly educate yourself on the most common words and phrases.

Anodized Aluminum - Aluminum is a lightweight, yet strong material that can be extruded into many attractive and functional profiles. After the metal is extruded, it is anodized (an electrochemical process that gives the extrusion its color and durability). The coating on the surface of the aluminum is very durable and will not tarnish, even in salt-air climates.

Beveled Glass - Made by taking one-quarter inch-thick clear glass and creating a one-inch bevel on one side around the entire periphery. These bevels act as prisms in the sunlight creating an interesting color diffraction which highlights the glasswork and provides a spectrum of colors that would ordinarily be absent in clear float glass.

Bifold Fireplace Door - A door unit that contains a pair of doors that each houses two panes of glass. Bifold Fireplace Doors come in a "Tracked" version or a "Trackless" version.

Cabinet Style Fireplace Door - A door unit that houses a pair of doors that each contain one pane of glass. This style door can fully swing open 180 degrees.

Ceramic Glass - Formed as a glass, and then made to crystallize partly by heat treatment. Unlike sintered ceramics, glass-ceramics have no pores between crystals. Ceramic Glass is used for wood stoves and for fireplace doors. It has a thermal shock resistance of 1400 degrees fahrenheit.

Clearance - The distance required by manufacturers and building codes between stove, connector pipe or chimney, and any combustible materials.

Damper - The mechanism on a fireplace door that controls the flow of combustion air into the firebox.

Door Stile - A metal frame that holds the glass in place. This metal frame is then attached the main frame of the fireplace door.

Extrusion - Aluminum profile shaped with a die under pressure and heat

Filigree - A decorative design that features a curvy motif. Used in some fireplace doors as a mask for a damper.

Firebox - This term refers to the box-like section of the fireplace that houses the fuel (wood for example) and where combustion takes place.

Fireplace Doors - As well as being a decorative feature, these serve the purpose of closing off the firebox when the fireplace is not in use, to ensure that heat is not lost through the vent or chimney. See more additional safety and efficiency benefits of fireplace doors.

Fireplace Insert - This is an insulated system with a pair of glass doors that can be installed onto the opening of the fireplace. This increases the temperature in the firebox - meaning the fire burns more slowly and efficiently. Inserts can come with fans included to blow the warmth into the room. These are particularly useful in wood burning fireplaces as the increased heat and slower burning means that there is a reduced amount of combustion by-products, such as smoke. This term is also used to describe any retrofit for fireplaces. This includes inserts to convert a wood burning fireplace into a gas fireplace.

Glass Doors - Doors attached to a fireplace to close off the opening of the hearth from the home to prevent heat from escaping up the chimney and prevent cold air from entering the home when the fireplace is not being used. See more additional safety and efficiency benefits of fireplace doors.

Glass Door Enclosures - A term used to refer to the doors attached to a fireplace to close off the opening of the hearth. See Fireplace Doors and Glass Doors.

Hearth - This is basically the floor of the fireplace where the grate would be positioned and is normally made from brick or stone. The term is also used as a general description of the firebox in fireplaces and stoves.

Heat Resistant Clear Finish - To prevent tarnish, all solid brass and plated brass finishes have been coated with a clear enamel which is baked on at high temperatures, forming a glass-like surface.

Lintel - Metal bar located at the top of a masonry fireplace that is used to support brick work above the firebox.

Masonry - This is a term that describes anything constructed of stone, brick or tiles. In respect to fireplaces structures: the mantel, hearth, surround and chimney are commonly made from these materials.

Mesh Curtain - A tempered steel woven wire which has been darkened to provide a black finish. Black mesh curtain is easier to see through, which permits better visibility of a burning fire, provides spark protection and allows some regulation of heat by opening and closing.

Mortar - These are the materials used to bond the stone, brick or tiles in masonry. It is normally made using lime and/or sand mixed with cement either on site or in the factory.

Prefabricated Fireplace - A factory-built fireplace that is constructed so that it can be placed safely, with close clearances to combustible materials. These types of fireplaces are typically found in newer homes and require a specific type of fireplace door. Also frequently referred to as a "prefab fireplace" or a "zero clearance fireplace".

Riser Bar - A piece of material that is attached to the bottom of a glass door enclosure to compensate for raised hearths.

Tempered Glass - Tempering is a process in which glass is heated and then rapidly cooled which allows it to resist thermal stress and significant impact. Each piece of glass can generally withstand a minimum temperature of up to 500 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit for sustained periods of time.

Zero Clearance Fireplace - A factory-built fireplace that is constructed so that it can be placed safely, with close clearances to combustible materials. These types of fireplaces are typically found in newer homes and require a specific type of fireplace door. Often referred to as a "prefabricated fireplace" or a "prefab fireplace."

This list is not exhaustive so feel free to leave a comment if there is a term that you are looking for a good definition on.

Conventional fireplace doors do not suit every taste. In particular, it can be difficult and frustrating for homeowners and interior designers to find a door that compliments modern decor. The Cameo Fireplace Glass Door is a fitting choice when a sleek, low-profile, and modern fireplace door is in order. The Cameo's anodized aluminum frame has a svelte 7/8" mitered frame with the Thermo-Rite signature "glass-in-frame" design. This translates to a door whose broad appeal is to those who believe that, when it comes to decor, sometimes less is more. And more is what you get with this door, despite its slim construction.

Each corner of this fireplace door is custom mitered and assembled with internal gussets which reinforce the frame and provide substantial support for the 1/4" thick tempered glass doors. Easy adjustment screws on the operable doors make the door simple to install and maintain. If wood is the fuel of choice, this door comes with an optional mesh curtain or a solid panel internal mesh door for spark protection while the glass is opened for fires.

Eight frame finish options, both traditional and contemporary, are available to satisfy a variety of specific wants and needs. The door handles and glass channel can be made to match the finish of choice. However, if a more unique appearance is preferred, a custom finish of Pewter, Antique or Stainless is offered.

Made to overlap or fit inside a fireplace opening, this custom fireplace door comes in every size imaginable. How you ask? Each one is custom made to the exact specifications of the buyer. There are no stock Cameo doors, just a menu of options and choices. A favorite among custom fireplace glass doors, the Cameo delivers all of this and still has one of the most affordable price tags in the industry.

Traditional fireplace glass doors never go out of style. Simple yet elegant, these types of doors can suit almost any home. If you are in the market for fireplace doors, but don’t want the typical wait of several weeks for a custom made door, you have the option of choosing an in stock fireplace door. One such door is the Revere Fireplace Glass Door.

This neat and stylish door is a solid brass enclosure with 3” panels all around and a center draft control. It is created in three choices of finish color: Polished Brass, Antique Brass, and Black. The doors only come in a bifold style - but you can decide if you want them on a track or if you want them to open completely out of the way and be trackless.

Another choice you will have is glass color. The ¼” glass comes standard in tinted Bronze, but you may also choose Clear or Grey. To add character to your fireplace, beveled glass is an additional option. I should mention that any glass option on the Revere Fireplace Glass Door other than standard Bronze is a special order and requires additional days for building.

A fireplace heater system can be used in combination with these fireplace doors and can significantly add efficiency to masonry fireplaces. Since this is an in stock door, it is only made to be an overlap fit. Installation will be easy with just a few simple screws!

Overall, this is a great door because it has a classic look, relatively quick shipping time, and a reasonable price tag.

Why Do I Need Fireplace Doors?

We put a lot of effort into this blog and into our webstore to help homeowners like you make the right purchase when it comes to fireplace doors. Last night the thought occurred to me – we don’t talk very much about WHY customers should purchase fireplace doors. We have videos and blog posts that explain how to measure and how to purchase but we don’t really talk about why you should be considering fireplace doors in the first place. So for you homeowners that have been wondering what all the fuss is about and what the benefits are of purchasing and installing fireplace doors; this blog entry is for you.

Benefits:

SAFETY

Fireplace Doors create a strong barrier between a hot, dangerous fireplace and your children and pets. This isn’t just the case when the fire is burning. You don’t want your kid putting their hand into hot ashes left over from a fire and you don’t want your cat to think that it has found a new litter box.

Fireplace Doors also protect your home from the sparks and embers that could escape from the fireplace and burn your carpet or wood floor.

As a side note: the tempered glass that is used for the fireplace door is considered to be safety glass. In other words, if it were to break, it would shatter into millions of fragments rather than breaking into a few sharp, jagged pieces. This is much safer since it is more difficult to be cut by the fragments that by large shards of glass.

EFFICIENCY

Fireplace Doors create a thermal barrier between your room's conditioned air and the outside world. Think about this; you spend hundreds of dollars throughout the winter heating your home and then you have a 36” square hole in the middle of your living room where that conditioned air can escape.
Now, most of the fireplaces have a throat damper. This little contraption does help. It is located at the top of the firebox and closes the flue – but…it is made of metal and has no seal (it can’t – the seal would be too close to the fire and burn up). So there are all kinds of gaps and spaces where that air is escaping – OR – the cold wind is blowing down the chimney and into the room.

Something else to consider is the efficiency you gain by burning a fire with the doors closed. This will increase your fireplaces efficiency because you will use less conditioned air to feed the fire and you will still realize the benefit of the radiant heat from the fireplace. If you are going to do this there are some things that you HAVE to know. Read this blog article to find out what they are.
You can also combine a fireplace door with a fireplace heater. This combination will allow you to convert your inefficient fireplace into a mini furnace.

DECORATIVE

Gone are the days of the gold and brass finishes being your only option when it comes to your fireplace door. With the advent of powder coat finishes, a host of modern finish options are available to you. The draft assembly of the door used to be masked by a filigree – but the 1970’s called and asked for it back. Now the draft assembly is hidden so it does not take away from the design of the door. Very creative patterns can be laser cut into sheets of steel to create any type of fireplace door you can imagine. We have a very extensive offering of fireplace doors on our webstore - over 100 designs to choose from. You can browse our selection of fireplace doors here.

I’m sure there are some other good reasons for purchasing fireplace doors. These are the top 3 on my list. Feel free to post any others in the comments below along with any questions.

Fireplace Door - Hidden Air Draft Assembly - Part 2

In my last post I discussed the primary purpose of a hidden draft assembly. In this post I want to discuss a secondary, yet somewhat controversial purpose of the draft assembly.

Here is the issue - you can technically burn a fire with the fireplace doors closed and the draft assembly opened. The draft assembly will allow enough combustion air to feed the fire rather than having your glass doors wide open. How does this benefit you? Having the glass doors wide open means that a substantial amount of air from your room is feeding the fire. This is air that you have paid to heat – since you typically are using the fireplace in the winter time. Keeping the fireplace glass doors closed will limit the amount of air that the fire is using, which in theory will save you money because you are not using as much conditioned air. I have talked to a number of homeowners that tell me that when they have a fire burning in the fireplace with their fireplace doors wide open their furnace will be constantly running. This is because so much of the conditioned air is being sucked out of the room and up the chimney. When you combine the savings you receive by keeping the fireplace doors closed with the radiant heat from the fireplace, your net heat is substantially increased when you burn a fire with the fireplace doors closed.

So if the above method is a cost savings and even preferable; why is it controversial? The reason is that all fireplace door manufacturers warn that if you burn a fire in the fireplace with your doors closed, the lifetime warranty on the glass is voided. In other words, if the glass breaks while your burning with the doors closed, you will be responsible to replace the glass.

Your fireplace doors use tempered glass which is rated up to approximately 600 degrees Fahrenheit. This should be sufficient for any normal size fire however there are other factors that can contribute to glass breakage. Since each fireplace is unique and these factors unforeseeable, fireplace door manufactures require that you burn the fire with the doors open.

I would never tell you to do something that would void your warranty – BUT… if you were still going to do this despite your warranty being voided; here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

1. Always keep the doors open when using gas logs. Do not ever burn gas logs with the fireplace doors closed. A gas fire is hotter than a wood burning fire.
2. Don’t burn a bonfire in a fireplace! Keep the size of the fire reasonable.
3. Keep the fire at least 6-8 back from the glass.
4. Don’t go from 0 to 60 in 6 seconds! What I mean by this is; don’t get the fire too hot too quick. One of the reasons for the glass breaking is the quick change in temperature. All things in moderation.
5. If you are really set on burning a hot fire with the fireplace doors closed, consider purchasing a fireplace door that features ceramic glass - such as the Sentry Fireplace Door. It's not inexpensive but it may be worth it depending on your desired application.
6. If you were to have glass breakage - don't freak out. You can purchase replacement tempered glass on our website and it is really easy to install. It's also not that expensive.

So there you have it – everything you could have ever wanted to know about the hidden draft assembly for a fireplace door – and then some!

Fireplace Door - Hidden Air Draft Assembly

Often, customers looking to purchase a fireplace door have questions regarding the hidden draft assembly feature:

• What is it?
• What purpose does it serve?
• Is it necessary?
• Why is it hidden?

Let me take a few moments to answer these questions in detail.

Question: What is a hidden draft assembly on a fireplace door?
Answer: The hidden draft assembly is located on the bottom of the fireplace door frame that allows you to control the flow of air from your room into the fireplace. It typically is a ¼” slot that runs the length of the fireplace door frame and is operated by a hinge.

Question: What purpose does it serve?
Answer: The hidden draft assembly is primarily used when the fire is dying out. The homeowner can close the fireplace doors for the night and open the hidden draft assembly so combustion air can still feed the fire allowing it to burn out.

Question: Is it necessary?
Answer: It is not essential to have a draft assembly with your fireplace door. In fact, many budget doors do not feature a draft assembly. However, be aware that if you close the fireplace doors on a burning fire, the fire will suffocate and create lots of smoke. This smoke may leak into your room and be very unpleasant to say the least.

Question: Why is it hidden?
Answer: It is hidden primarily for aesthetic reasons. Older fireplace door models featured a draft assembly masked by a filigree design. It was operated by a knob located on the face of the fireplace door. Once the filigree design was no longer popular, the hidden draft assembly replaced it as the preferred design.

There is another purpose for the draft assembly but it somewhat controversial. Many homeowners like to burn a fire with the doors closed and the air draft assembly open. There are some important things to consider before you do this. I will cover this issue in my next post.

The air draft assembly is more than just a frill, it's an important component of your fireplace door. The fact that new designs have hidden the draft assembly simply enhances the overall attractiveness of the door and contributes to the newer, sleeker styles that you are seeing in the most popular fireplace doors.

How to Install Fireplace Doors

Ever buy something from the store and when it arrives at your home you think- how in the world am I going to install this by myself? Our fireplace glass doors can be installed by YOU. You do not need to pay extra money for someone else to install your new fireplace glass door-you just need to find the right tools. To begin this installation guide, here are four items that are required for installation of any fireplace glass door:

• Power Drill (Cordless recommended)
• Masonry Drill Bit
• Hex Head Drill Bit
• Felt Tip Marker

Most glass fireplace doors arrive fully-assembled. Keep in mind that the aluminum doors are made of four separate pieces that have been attached together. This design allows the aluminum doors to be flexible and fit almost any fireplace. Aluminum doors can create more of a hassle if your firebox is uneven or has unique elements. They require adjusting the frame to make the doors aligned correctly with your fireplace face.
Steel fireplace doors are made as one complete unit. They are typically laser cut from one solid sheet of steel which causes the door to be sturdy and unchanging. The lack of flexibility makes this type of fireplace glass door easier to install. No adjustments are necessary to mount a steel fireplace door which will cut the installation time in half! Aluminum doors will sit on the face of the fireplace and attach to the back of the frame. On the other hand, steel fireplace doors contain a back-frame that will sit inside the fireplace face. Before installing your glass fireplace door, you should always read the instructions in their entirety so that you fully understand the process.

The following is a summary of how to install a Fireplace Glass Door (please note that the example photos are taken of the Hammered Edge Fireplace Door which is made of steel):

TIP: Before installing your new fireplace glass door, remove the glass panels and mesh screens. For some door styles, the glass panels and mesh screens will easily lift off the hinges.


1) Position the door frame against your fireplace opening. Make sure the frame is lined up correctly so that it is flush to the fireplace.


TIP: For an aluminum door, you will need to attach the mounting brackets prior to Step 1. You will also need to adjust the mounting brackets so they match up with the mortar joints.

2) Locate the premade drilling holes on the frame or mounting brackets. Use the Felt Tip Marker to indicate at what spot you need to pre-drill holes in the masonry in order to attach the frame to the fireplace.


3) Remove the frame. Use a power drill with the masonry bit to pre-drill a hole in each spot that you previously marked on the fireplace.

TIP: You want to pre-drill holes into the mortar joint. If the frame does not match up with the mortar joint, drilling into the brick is acceptable.

4) Reattach frame to the face of your fireplace. Make sure the holes you just pre-drilled match the space provided for the screws to attach the door to the fireplace.

TIP: Aluminum doors may include fiberglass insulation. If provided, place the insulation between frame and fireplace face.

5) Using the screws provided, secure the frame to the fireplace.


6) Reattach mesh screens and glass panels.


TIP: With Aluminum doors, they will need to be adjusted until the glass doors are aligned with the frame correctly.

DONE!

The installation of your fireplace door may differ slightly than the above instructions depending on the manufacturer. We do offer installation support through our instructional videos, technical sales staff, and the instructions that will arrive along with your fireplace glass door. With the right tools and a good attitude, you can make your hearth look great and create a mesmerizing focal point for your home.

Click Here to View our Fireplace Glass Door Collection

Check out this How to Install a Minuteman Fireplace Door Video