Fireplace Doors Guide

Custom Fireplace Glass Doors

2011-01-12T09:41:00.001-08:00

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

2009-06-15T13:40:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-20T13:24:00.001-07:00

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

2009-05-15T13:16:00.001-07:00

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

2009-04-24T12:41:00.001-07:00

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

2009-02-10T07:38:00.000-08:00

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!

Round Fullview Fireplace Door - Product Review

2009-01-15T07:39:00.000-08:00

The Round Fullview fireplace door has a very clean and smooth design that will fit into almost any decorating style. This fireplace is very sturdy, and will definitely impress you with its steel frame and doors.

Each door is computer drawn and cut on a plasma table for an exact custom fit. Having a custom fit will assure that there will be almost no heat loss in the winter and no cooling loss in the summer.

This fireplace door comes standard with tempered glass, but also has the option of ceramic glass at an additional cost. Other features on this fireplace door include a hidden damper, and an all welded construction for long lasting durability.

The Round Fullview fireplace door has 6 door styles and 9 frame styles to choose from. Other customizable options include:

• Finish: 21 Available

• Door Style: Trackless Bi-Fold/Trackless Fullview Bi-Fold/Cabinet/Fullview Cabinet

• Mesh Screen: Mesh Door/Curtain Available

• Glass: Tempered or Ceramic

• Glass Tint: Clear/Bronze/Grey

• Color: 3 Glass Colors Available

Simply Airtight Fireplace Door - Product Review

2009-01-14T11:27:00.000-08:00

You can eliminate cold drafts and odors while gaining control of your fire by installing a Simply Airtight fireplace door. This door is made with a fireproof gasket, a secure vertical locking rod, and a special air wash damper system that will ensure comfort, efficiency, and security.

Each fireplace door features twin doors, a steel frame, and glass door selections that have a continuous woven gasket sealing them for the frame of the door. The combination of these gaskets with a positive locking latch virtually eliminates heat loss from the home through the fireplace opening.

The Simply Airtight door comes standard with clear glass and inner mesh doors. The door is only available for rectangular or arch twin doors. They cannot be used on any bi-fold door units.

There are a number of available glass tints and frame finish at additional costs. There are also different frame styles – including hammered and scalloped.

The Simply Airtight door is a very versatile door, and with over 40 different frame finishes and different frame styles – you will be sure to find something that will fit your homes décor!

Horizon Fireplace Door - Product Review

2009-01-14T09:12:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-13T13:29:00.000-08:00

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 Z-Door - Product Review

2009-01-09T13:24:00.001-08:00

The Z-Door fireplace door from Thermo-Rite is a great quality door that is made right here in the U.S.A. Being a stock door, it is already manufactured and ready to be shipped upon ordering. This means that there are many different sizes readily available, and it will arrive much faster than most fireplace doors!

This zero clearance door has air spaces along the sides, top, and bottom of the frame. This helps to control the airflow to the fire. The Z-Door has an anodized aluminum frame, which means that it won’t tarnish. The Z-Door has two different door styles; bi-fold tracked and bi-fold full swing trackless doors. It also comes standard with a ¼” tempered bronze colored glass that has a lifetime warranty.

The Z-Door fits a number of fireboxes. Some of these would include those manufactured by; FMI, Heatilator, Heat-N-Glo, Majestic, Marco, Martin, Preway, Lennox & Superior, and Temco.

There are also many different custom options that you can apply to your door. At additional costs, you can choose from even more options of glass, mesh, handle finishes, and painted frame finishes.

With so many options available, it will be easy to fit the Thermo-Rite Z-Door into your home!

The Rainbow Zero Clearance Fireplace Door - Product Review

2009-01-09T06:42:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-02T13:07:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-30T11:22:00.000-08:00

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 Modern Studio Fireplace Door - Product Review

2008-12-29T12:50:00.000-08:00

The Modern Studio fireplace door is a simple and elegant timeless piece. The doors are of excellent quality, especially for the price. Made of wrought iron, the modern studio has bi-fold doors that open up 180 degrees. This allows you to have easier access to your fire. Both the glass and mesh doors are removable, which allows for easy installation and cleaning.

The Modern Studio fireplace door also features:

• Double ball locks on doors and screens
• Angle frame for easy installation
• Bi-fold doors
• Lifetime warranty on the glass doors
• Hidden damper
• 5mm thick tempered glass
• Baked powdercoated graphite and roman bronze finishes

The Modern Studio fireplace door is available in 15 different sizes – making it very easy for you to find the perfect fit! With its welded frame and doors, the Modern Studio is a sturdy, timeless piece that will stay with you and your family for years to come.

The Mystique Fireplace Door - Product Review

2008-12-26T12:09:00.001-08:00

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 - Product Review

2008-12-26T08:30:00.000-08:00

The Slimline fireplac e d oor 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 doo r 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 - Product Review

2008-12-17T08:24:00.000-08:00

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.

Tempered Glass

2008-12-17T08:15:00.000-08:00

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.

The Charleston Fireplace Glass Door - Product Review

2008-12-17T08:02:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it can be hard to find a fireplace door that will fit the decor of your home. If you can't seem to find something that fits quite right, then you should check out the Charleston fireplace door by Design Specialties. There isn't a more versatile glass fireplace door than the Charleston. It has the features of most custom fireplace glass doors-but at a stock door price. It is available in 15 different, very durable powder coat finishes to match any decor. The Charleston is also available in 26 different stock sizes to fit almost any fireplace opening.

The Charleston fireplace glass door has a rock solid 2 1/2 inch frame which gives it a substantial appearance without being too overwhelming. Most steel frame fireplace glass doors can take 4-6 weeks to order. The Charleston door can be shipped out from the manufacturer within only 14 business days. Other doors of this quality are priced much higher, typically from $1500-$2500. The Charleston is a bargain at $860-$935 shipped to your house.

With the Charleston glass fireplace door you have the same options as you would on more expensive custom glass fireplace doors. There are four different handle choices available for you to customize your door. However, the most popular option on fireplace glass doors is the inner mesh door. The inner mesh doors are a great option because they allow you to burn a wood fire without having to worry about sparks burning your carpet. I prefer the inner mesh doors to the hanging mesh screens because they are a lot smoother to open and close.

The Charleston fireplace glass door is also available with an arched door enabling it to match popular architectural and design trends. The Charleston fireplace glass door is one of the best doors out on the market, and will give you the best bang for your buck.

Shaker Collection Fireplace Door

2008-12-16T07:25:00.000-08:00

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.

Fireplace Glass Doors Materials - Solid Brass

2008-12-16T06:43:00.001-08:00

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.

Fireplace Glass Doors Materials - Wrought Iron

2008-12-16T05:54:00.000-08:00

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.

Fireplace Glass Doors Materials - Aluminum

2008-12-14T17:32:00.000-08:00

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.

Does Your Zero-Clearance Fireplace Need Glass Doors?

2008-12-14T17:15:00.000-08:00

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.