How to Measure and Install Fireplace Doors

Updated: 8/22/2020

How you go about measuring for fireplace doors depends entirely on how your fireplace is constructed and the doors you select. So the first step is to Email Us Pictures Of Your Fireplace. Once we see your fireplace we will create measuring instructions specifically for you. We will describe any issues you can expect so there are no surprises when you install your doors and help you avoid mistakes. You are welcome to use our generic Fireplace Door Measuring Guide, but we prefer you send us pictures first so we can give you more personalized instructions. For more complex fireplaces you can refer to our measuring sheet for: Multi-sided and Arched Fireplaces!

Design Specialties Order Forms

Your fireplace door specialist will help you find the correct order form from this list

Measure and Install Videos

Below are videos that show how to measure and install fireplace doors. The first video describes some of the important terms you need to know and shows the difference between some of the frames and how they fit. It is best if you email us your pictures first so we help you choose the right doors. Once that is done, we can refer you to the videos that pertain to your fireplace.

Videos for Prefab Fireplaces

Video #1: Measuring Prefab Fireplaces for ZC Doors

Video #2: Installing ZC Aluminum Doors

Video #3: Installing ZC Steel Doors

Videos for Masonry Fireplaces

Video #4: Measuring Masonry Fireplaces

Video #5: Installing Masonry Aluminum Doors

Video #6: Measuring Arched Fireplaces

Video #7: Installing Masonry Steel Doors - (includes how to apply mortar near the end)

Video #8: Refresh Series from Design Specialties

Fireplace Door Frame Profiles

View cross sections of the aluminum door frames all compared to scale

What about Stock Size Fireplace Doors?

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 these 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

Installation Manuals (.pdf)

The installation manuals give instructions for most of the doors made by Design Specialties. For steel doors other than the Carolina, if you do not see the name of the door on the list, refer to the Legend Masonry Instructions as they are all basically the same.

Aluminum Door Masonry Select Line
Aluminum ZC
Brookfield ZC Deluxe Front
Bungalow
Curtain Carolina
Curtain Elite
Hudson Roller
Legend Masonry
Legend ZC Deluxe Rev A Model
Refresh Alum DV Front
Refresh Steel DV Front W Doors
Refresh Steel DV Screen Front
Valance 1
Valance 2
ZC Alternative Mounting
ZC Wedge Fit Brackets

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How to Measure and Install Fireplace Doors

Design Specialties Order Forms

Measure and Install Videos

Videos for Prefab Fireplaces