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

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!

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.