There is nothing that makes a fireplace ‘yours’ like a custom mantel and fireplace doors. Fireplace doors serve more than a utilitarian function. They can also be extravagant works of art. The utilitarian functions however shouldn’t be underemphasized. Properly installed fireplace doors can significantly increase the efficiency of your fireplace, which is good for the environment and good for your bottom line. Additionally, everyone loves the ambiance of a crackling fire, but crackling fires emit sparks which can pose a serious safety hazard. Fireplace doors maintain the ambiance while mitigating risk associated with fireplaces.
Types of Fireplaces
There are basically two types of fireplaces appropriate for after-market fireplace doors: masonry fireplaces and factory built fireplaces. It’s easy to determine if you have a masonry fireplace because the chimney will be made of stone. Masonry fireplaces comprise the traditional fireplaces with mantels.
While factory built fireplaces often have mantels too, the chimney is often not made of stone. Most factory built fireplaces are ‘zero clearance’ types that use cold air to insulate the hot air exiting the flue. In this way, the chimney is often smaller and more compact. Thus, they will not appear as the big, blocky stone chimneys seen with masonry fireplaces. The biggest difference between the two is that the fireplace doors will mount to the masonry for masonry fireplaces and will mount to the fireplace itself for factory build fireplaces. Fireplace door manufacturers should be able to help you identify with certainty which type of fireplace you have.
Extravegant Fireplace Doors
Types of Fireplace Doors
Fireplace doors come in two flavors: glass or metal. These groups are further broken down into two subgroups. Glass fireplace doors can be made of tempered glass or ceramic glass. Metal fireplace doors can be made of either steel or aluminum.
Tempered glass fireplace doors are less expensive than those made from ceramic glass. However, tempered glass can only withstand heat of 400 degrees fahrenheit. This makes it a poor choice for many fireplaces. Fireplace doors made of ceramic glass however can withstand temperatures of up to 1400 degree fahrenheit. Additionally, ceramic glass has thermal properties that allow radiant heat to pass through it efficiently. Tempered glass does not have this property. Although more expensive, ceramic glass fireplace doors are worth the money.
In regards to metal fireplace doors, aluminum doors are cheaper than steel doors. Steel doors generally have the frame laser cut as a solid piece, with the doors pre-assembled. Aluminum fireplace doors however tend to be built from several pieces, and due to aluminums greater flexibility, can be less sturdy than their steel counterparts.
Improving Efficiency
Regardless of the type of fireplace doors you get, they will significantly improve the efficiency of your fireplace. By installing a fireplace door onto your fireplace, you prevent inside air from being used to feed the fire or get swept up the chimney. Fireplace doors force combustion air to come from the outside air taken in from the vents. This keeps warm air inside your home where it should be. Additionally, in summer when you fire up your air conditioning, that cool air will get drawn up the chimney and wasted if you don’t have fireplace doors.
Other Considerations
Be sure that any metal on your fireplace doors is powder coated or has some similar anti-tarnishing finish on it. Volatiles emitted by burning fuel is very caustic and will attack any metal it comes in contact with.
When measuring your fireplace for fireplace doors, confirm dimensions by measurements of the top, middle, and bottom and compare the measurements. If there is any disagreement, use the smallest measurement of the dimensions.
Weather you go with metal or glass fireplace doors, you should consider adding laser-cut artwork to place on the front of the door. The light playing through the cut-out artwork can cast beautiful shadow images on the walls of the room.
|
||||||
