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 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!

Fireplace Doors - Terms and Definitions

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.

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.

Replacement Fireplace Doors On A Budget

Do you ever look at your hearth and think that you want some nice fireplace glass doors… but you don’t think you can afford them? Well look no further! Nothing is impossible when you are ready to put away that old worn out door and replace it with a stunning new fireplace glass door. You do not need to sacrifice beauty in exchange for a lower price! I have some tips that should help you find a classy fireplace door at a very reasonable price.

Here are a few things to consider:

1. DO IT YOURSELF! The process will be a lot cheaper if you install the doors yourself- and you CAN do it! The process is not difficult but can be time consuming depending on the variables at hand.

• TIP- It is easier to install a solid steel door rather than an aluminum or folded steel door. A solid steel door frame will not compromise its shape or form. For this reason, the glass doors will rarely need to be adjusted. Solid steel doors also have a back frame that fits inside the fireplace opening and mounts to the interior. On the other hand, aluminum and folded steel doors sit on the face of the fireplace and are attached with a bracket located on the back of the frame. They are adaptable so that they can be used with various fireplace styles. However, it does make installation more difficult because they will need more attention in adjusting the doors so they line up correctly. Aluminum and folded steel doors are less expensive but requires more work to complete the installation as opposed to a solid steel door.

2. What is most important to you in choosing a fireplace door? Price? Finish? Style? Quality?

• You get what you pay for! If you buy the lowest priced door on the market – it probably will not have all the extra options that come with the higher-end enclosures. For example, the low-end fireplace doors have about five different finish options compared to the twenty-plus that the high-end have to choose from. Five is a small number of options, but all of our finishes are very classy and will add a nice charm to your hearth.
• Price is also determined on what type of material is used to manufacture the door. Aluminum is the less expensive option, but solid steel is better quality in my opinion. However, both aluminum and steel do withstand the test of time.
• Would you like bifold doors that sit on a track or that open up away from the fireplace? Fireplace doors that sit on a track can only slide as far as the fireplace opening. Bi-fold trackless doors can be pulled away from the fireplace opening up to 180 degrees and can also be folded in half to make your fire more accessible for maintenance.
• The inexpensive fireplace doors don’t offer many distinctive designs. Their style is very basic but attractive. You do not need a fancy designs to make your hearth look great. You just need to find a door that compliments your home décor.

Here are three different doors I would suggest for those of you who are in the market for a new fireplace glass door – they are certainly affordable and you can definitely install them on your own:

The HearthCraft Slimline Fireplace Glass Door features an attractive price along with a classic style. It is made of folded steel which allows for a range of flexibility that can fit almost every fireplace. The Slimline does come with bi-fold trackless doors that extend outside of the fireplace up to 180 degrees which makes it easier for the homeowner to tend the fire. It is available in multiple finishes and three different glass tints. The Slimline does come standard with a mesh curtain and an adjustable damper control vent. It usually will ship within one business week.

The ThermoRite Décor Fireplace Glass Door is very similar to the Slimline but features a slightly more modern style and additional options. The Décor is made of aluminum material and does have the option of adding a mesh curtain or a mesh door. It has a thick frame to help stabilize the glass. The Décor has multiple finish options that include various inserts that slide into the exterior frame to create a smoother look. With three glass tint options, you can customize the look of your fireplace glass door to match any home!

The Minuteman Fireplace Glass Doors are a bargain considering they have a great price point and they are made of solid steel vs folded steel and aluminum – and remember, a solid steel fireplace door is easier to install than a folded steel or aluminum fireplace doors. The Minuteman fireplace doors do come standard with a mesh door even though they only offer one type of finish and one glass tint. It also comes standard with a damper control vent that is hidden to enhance the appearancee of the product. There are three variations of this type of door- the Modern, Shaker and the new Windsor. They are nearly identical except for the door styling. The Modern Fireplace Glass Door has bifold glass doors while the Shaker Fireplace Glass Door has cabinet style doors. The Windsor Fireplace Glass Door features bifold trackless doors with a distinctive arch design. These fireplace doors don’t offer customizing options because they are premade with one finish in specific sizes. Because of this, these fireplace doors qualify for our “Quick Ship” program. If you need a quality fireplace door in a hurry and you have a standard size fireplace – I recommend these fireplace doors.

Fireplace Glass Doors have evolved from the ugly brass fireplace door that your grandmother used to have to a plethora of modern designs and styles. Now you just have to pick one! You can have a beautiful new fireplace glass door to showcase your hearth at a price you can afford. Installing the fireplace doors yourself is a feasible process and we do have many different support methods available to help you. Installation support is available through the instructional videos we offer online, our technical sales staff, and the instructions that will arrive along with your fireplace glass door.

Click Here to check out our selection of Fireplace Doors and help guides.
The “do it yourself” approach will not only give you a sense of pride but will also be easy on your budget!