Do I Need Glass Doors On My Stove Or Fireplace?

Glass doors are an essential component of your wood-burning fireplace, stove or insert. It’s important that you have an appropriate door and that it operates smoothly and effectively. Here’s why.

FUNCTIONS OF A DOOR

A door on a fireplace or stove serves several purposes. They help contain smoke to the firebox as a draft is being established from a cold start. Closed doors will keep embers and sparks where they belong. When the fireplace is not in use, doors will help prevent heat loss from warm air from the house being pulled up the chimney. If your door is gasketed, it will help to control the amount of air allowed to the fire. This allows for much longer burn times and greater efficiency.

Most fireplace glass doors add a special decorative touch to the fireplace, stove or insert. There are a variety of finishes and styles available to complement your lifestyle. Rustic, traditional or contemporary styles in pewter, bronzed, antiqued or hammered finishes will coordinate with the décor of your home.

Doors on wood-burning appliances also serve a significant safety function. A door can protect little ones from getting too close to the flames and hot coals. Doors will discourage children from tossing objects into the fire. Doors will prevent embers from popping out of the firebox and onto carpeting or igniting other materials.

Remember: never leave small children alone in a room with a fireplace, stove or insert.

TYPES OF DOORS

Many inexpensive, zero clearance fireplaces will have factory installed bi-fold doors. If the fireplace gets much use, this type of door usually doesn’t last long and will eventually need replacing. An aftermarket replacement door will give your fireplace an updated look while providing several other important functions mentioned above. Normally, these types of doors are made of steel.

Doors for an EPA certified fireplace will have a gasket to seal out the room air from the firebox. We do not want any air leaking around the door or glass getting to the fire. The air for combustion air is carefully controlled by a primary air lever. Doors for efficient, EPA certified fireplaces and stoves are best replaced by the manufacturer, not an aftermarket company.

An open burning masonry fireplace will have lots of choices for aftermarket options. Custom door sizes, a wide selection of styles and finishes, etched glass, arches and corner fireplaces are all available. Careful measurements and a thorough evaluation of the fireplace will be necessary by your WE LOVE FIRE® expert. However, replacement doors for masonry fireplaces serve the same important purposes listed above. It’s always a good idea to update this type of fireplace door. Stylish models with built-in air control and sealed doors can make using an older fireplace much easier.

Wood-burning stoves and fireplace inserts usually have a single, gasketed door. Again, these types of doors are going to last a long time, but if one does need replacing, it’s best to buy another door from the manufacturer of the appliance. Side bar: remember to regularly check the door gasket material. This rope gasket provides a tight seal from air infiltration. The gasket will get brittle with age and will periodically need to be replaced. This is a relatively simple, half hour project. Just measure the existing door; top, bottom and both sides, and bring a piece of the gasket material to your WE LOVE FIRE® dealer. The rope gasket comes in several sizes and it’s important to replace it with the correct size. Easy-to-apply gasket cement keeps the rope gasket firmly in place.

TEMPERED OR CERAMIC GLASS?

Bi-fold doors are usually made of tempered glass. Gasketed doors on fireplaces, stoves and inserts come equipped with ceramic glass. Never replace ceramic glass with tempered glass doors. Ceramic glass is stronger than tempered glass and will actually radiate heat back into the room. It’s also more expensive, so be careful with it!

DOORS ARE IMPORTANT!

If you are having “door” issues, please come through the front door at your WE LOVE FIRE® dealer. Experts agree that doors on fireplaces are necessary. As we discussed, there are several solid reasons for doors on fireplaces. Doors will increase the efficiency of your fireplace. They help to reduce heating and cooling costs. But most importantly, doors on fireplaces, stoves and inserts will help protect your loved ones.

Below is a list of fireplace and grill stores that service Ohio (OH)

Erlanger, KY

TateBuilder's Supply, LLC
3511 Dixie Highway
Erlanger, KY 41018

TateBuilder's Supply, LLC LogoVisit Store Page

Canfield, OH

Youngstown Propane, Inc.
4445 Boardman-Canfield Rd.
Canfield, OH 44406

Youngstown Propane, Inc. LogoVisit Store Page

Columbus, OH

Blackburns Chimney Sweeps
4644 Kenny Road
Columbus, OH 43220

Columbus, OH

Aspen Fireplace & Patio
5156 Sinclair Rd.
Columbus, OH 43229

Aspen Fireplace & Patio LogoVisit Store Page

North Canton, OH

Custom Fireplace Shop
5537 Whipple Ave NW
North Canton, OH 44720

Custom Fireplace Shop LogoVisit Store Page

North Ridgeville, OH

Heat Exchange Hearth & Patio Shoppe
34205 Lorain Road
North Ridgeville, OH 44039

Heat Exchange Hearth & Patio Shoppe LogoVisit Store Page

North Royalton, OH

Country Stove Co.
6669 Royalton Road
North Royalton, OH 44133

Country Stove Co. LogoVisit Store Page

Painesville, OH

American Home and Energy Products Inc.
1270 Mentor Ave
Painesville, OH 44077

St. Henry, OH

Buschur's Refrigeration, Inc.
541 N Eastern Avenue
St. Henry, OH 45883

Buschur's Refrigeration, Inc. LogoVisit Store Page

For more information, contact your local fireplace and grill store..

3 Responses

  1. Aetna Glass and Mirrors
    Very amazing and interesting post, thank you for sharing.
  2. Tom Rutherford
    We are trying to find a company who can etch a “deer by a river” scene onto new glass fireplace doors. Our original doors cracked after 25 years of use on our Fireplace Xtrordinair fireplace and we’ve purchased new doors but would like to get them etched before installing them. Thanks for any help you might be in directing us to the right company!
    • Dominique Page
      Good morning! Thanks for your message. A good place to start is by contacting the manufacturer directly. They are called Travis Industries. Otherwise, maybe the local fireplace store would be able to locate the Travis Industries representative for your region. Good luck with your search!
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