How to Measure and Install 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 our experience after over 25 years, we have found that every fireplace has it's own unique characteristics that require some thought as to what and where to measure. Even more, each fireplace door has it's own special characteristics that need to be when you are measuring. So it is best to know which door you are going to install before you make the final measurements. It is important that you email us some pictures of your fireplace so we see can tell you how to measure for the doors that you choose and describe how your doors will be installed and what types of issues you can expect so there are no surprises when you receive your doors. Read more about our FREE Design Service here!.

Fireplace Door Videos

Here are some videos that will help you if you have questions about how to measure and install fireplace doors. The first video is a great place to start because it describes some of the important terms you need to be familiar with plus, it shows the difference between some of the frames and how they fit.

Video #1: Measuring Zero Clearance/Factory Built fireplaces

Video #2: Installing a Design Specialties aluminum ZC door on a zero clearance/factory built fireplace

Video #3: Installing Design Specialties steel doors on zero clearance/factory built fireplaces

Video #4: Measuring masonry fireplaces

Video #5: Installing a Design Specialties aluminum masonry door

Video #6: How to measure an arched fireplace opening

Video #7: Installing steel masonry fireplace door

Video #7B: Applying Mortar

This is the same as video #7 above, but just starts at the point near the end where they describe masking the door and applying mortar

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