How to Measure for Fireplace Doors

Although you are more than welcome to download the measuring sheet to the left by clicking on it, there is no real universal way to describe how to measure all fireplaces for fireplace doors. In my experience after measuring over 3,000 fireplaces, I have found that every fireplace has it's own unique characteristics that require some thought as to what and where to measure.

Even more, every fireplace enclosure has it's own special characteristics that need to be taken into account when you are measuring. So you cannot measure properly unless you first know what doors you are going to buy.

It is for this reason that we request you use email us some pictures of your fireplace at take advantage of our FREE Design Service (read details here). This way we can look at your fireplace and then tell you how to measure for the doors that you choose. We will also be able to describe to you how your doors will be installed and what types of issues you can expect to run into so that there are no surprises when you get your doors.

This is of particular importance when it comes to how well a "Stock Sized" glass door will fit your fireplace. Most fireplace glass door manufacturers have a size chart that is used to determine what size fits what fireplace, but unless you know exactly how the door is installed and what the tolerances are that it is made to, you can easily run into problems interpreting the size charts

For example: Let's say you have a brick fireplace where the mortar joints are 5/8" from the edge of the opening (which is actually extremely common for brick fireplaces). If you choose a door from a size chart that is 1/2" wider than your overall fireplace opening, you are going to see holes at each of the mortar joints around the outer frame of the fireplace door because it is not wide enough to cover the mortar joints.

This is a very common problem with people who purchase doors without first speaking to a professional...and a great example of why we request that you email us pictures of your fireplace. Once we see your pictures, we will see issues like this right away and recommend that you either choose a different door that has more overlap, or have one custom made that fits better.

So, I do apologize for not having described how to measure your fireplace on this page, but I simply cannot do that until I (or one of our other experts) have seen your fireplace pictures.

Click Here for instructions about sending pictures.

Greg Tillotson
Webmaster for Hansen Wholesale