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It’s the end of summer and it’s 95 degrees here in the South, but I can’t help thinking (and hoping) that cooler weather is just around the corner. Yep, fall will be here before you know it with crisp chilly nights, bonfires, and Halloween.
“It’s too early to think about fall”, you say? Well, last week I noticed that Kroger has ceramic pumpkins out already so I’m not the only one dreaming of fireplace season. In my opinion, now’s the perfect time to get your fireplace ready to host a warm crackling fire and a great place to start is by getting yourself a brand new set of fireplace doors.
Fireplace glass doors not only look nice but they have safety features and help your home stay energy efficient as well. Having peace of mind while enjoying a cozy fire makes all the difference in being able to relax and unwind. Let’s explore some reasons why fireplace doors are such a good idea and learn how to determine what doors are right for your fireplace.
Safety
One of the top reasons people purchase fireplace doors is for safety. If you have small children and pets, you don’t want them crawling into the dirty, sooty firebox. Closed fireplace doors provide a sturdy barrier in front of the firebox when fire isn’t burning to keep the little ones safe (and clean!)
While you should always keep your fireplace doors open when burning a fire, you can close the doors as the fire dies down and there are just embers left. Closing the doors keeps sparks from popping out of the fireplace onto your floor which could cause damage to your carpet or hardwoods and be a fire hazard .
Energy Savings
Fireplace doors help keep cold air out of your home during the winter months and hot air out during the summer. Closing the chimney flue and adding an extra barrier to stop air from coming down the chimney and into your home helps to save on heating and cooling bills. While fireplace doors aren’t air tight, they’re an effective way to block chilly drafts from entering your room during firepace season.
Decorative Appeal
Fireplace glass doors add a decorative touch and can give a finished look to any fireplace. Let’s face it. When the fire is burning it’s a beautiful sight, but the day after a fire, the firebox just looks dirty and messy. Fireplace doors help block unsightly ashes and stains when the fire isn’t burning.
With so many colors and styles, it’s easy to find a set of fireplace doors that fit your style. Pairing a black frame with tekta glass gives your fireplace instant classic style. But if you’re looking for more frame colors there’s plenty out there from which to choose. From nickel to bronze or antique brass, there are frames to suit any taste. Even the glass can be customized by tinting it gray or bronze.
Fireplace Door Styles
Fireplace doors come in a variety of price ranges from economy to high-end. Basic economy doors are constructed from aluminum and clear glass. These doors are perfect if you’re looking for a quick, inexpensive option for a rental property, a home you’re trying to sell, or if you’re on a tight budget.
More expensive doors are custom and can be made of aluminum or steel. Steel is heavier and more durable than aluminum. Custom scrollwork and screen panels are examples of customized options which are available on some doors.
What Type Doors Will Work For My Fireplace?
First, a quick lesson on fireplace types.
There are 2 types of fireplaces: factory built and masonry. You need to know which type you have before purchasing fireplace doors since regulations require factory built fireplaces to have doors that allow for proper airflow to keep the firebox from overheating.
A factory built fireplace has a metal firebox in the area where the fire burns and a masonry fireplace has a firebox made of, (you guessed it!), masonry – such as brick or concrete. Just looking at the firebox isn’t enough to determine what it’s made from because sometimes the metal refractory panels in factory built fireplaces are made to resemble bricks. An easy way to tell if it’s metal is to knock on the side of the firebox and see if it makes a tin drum sound. Another way to identify a factory built fireplace is to look for a metal tag on the front with the name of the fireplace manufacturer and model number. Some common manufacturers are Superior, Majestic, Heatilator, Lennox, Marco and Temco.
How Do Fireplace Doors Fit?
Fireplace glass doors for factory built fireplaces fit slightly inside the firebox (the area of the fireplace where the fire burns). Factory built fireplaces have a metal firebox as opposed to a masonry firebox. Ordering these type doors require precise measurements since they need to fit exactly with about ⅛” of space around the perimeter for proper air flow. These type doors are custom orders and sometimes take a few weeks to have made, so order early before the fireplace season starts so you can be sure they’re shipped in time. Ask when placing your order if stock doors are available in the size you need and are ready to “quick-ship”.
Masonry doors, on the other hand, do not have to be custom ordered since they can be installed as an overlap fit and there are a number of stock sizes available to fit a wide range of firebox openings. However, if you want certain add-on features such as tinted glass or specialty frame color, you’ll need to place a custom order.
So there you have it! Fireplace doors not only add some pizzazz to your fireplace, they save on energy costs and keep your home safe as well. So don’t wait for cool weather to arrive – order your doors now to beat the rush. You’ll have on your cozy socks relaxing in front of a glowing fire sooner than you think.
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