Project 10134 - Glass Doors for Traditional Masonry Fireplace
Customer Comments: Hi. Requesting that you provide sample "after" photos and any design advice you might have regarding the purchase and installation of a fireplace door. We refinished our fireplace with a wood surround/mantel and marble tile facing. Attached are four photos of our fireplace. We are thinking the following regarding the door selection:
- Black finished door with single or bi-fold doors
- Probably a traditional look to the door
- Preferably a stock size door to keep the cost reasonable
- Your Bedford, Savannah or Bungalow stock doors (in that order of preference) look like they would be options to consider
The opening is 33 1/2" wide and 22 3/8" tall. There is a lip on the bottom of the opening that is 1 7/8" tall above the floor tile. The top of the opening was lowered at the suggestion of our gas company to reduce the fumes that would sometimes come back into the living room. Therefore, there are no bricks behind the tiles at the top of the opening that can be used for mounting the frame. I am assuming mounting frames would be attached to the sides. Also, can you explain the difference between "Gate Mesh" and "Mesh Curtain".
Fireplace Opening: 33 1/2" W x 22 3/8" H
Our Comments: We have provided samples of several doors that we think would look great on your beautifully remodeled fireplace. We understand the desire to cut cost using the stock doors, but there are several issues to consider:
- Stock doors always have a vent at the bottom that is designed for wood burning. Doors with bottom vents look best when the bottom of the frame rests directly on the hearth. When a fireplace opening is raised in the wall as is yours (by about 2"), it usually looks best without a 4-sided frame without vent. Stock doors cannot be made that way.
- Stock doors are made with frames that are 2 to 3 times wider than custom doors so that they can overlap a wider range of fireplace openings. This wider frame is more imposing on the fireplace and grabs more attention taking your eyes off of the rest of the fireplace, which you obviously made quite beautiful.
- Stock doors are "substantially" less expensive than custom doors...which is their only positive benefit
Regarding the difference between Mesh Curtain and Gate Mesh doors: Mesh curtains are a looped wire curtain that slides back and forth while gate mesh doors more like a window screen made of wire that has its own frame behind the glass doors so you can open them separately. See illustrations at the bottom of this page.
We have supplied links to each door below their corresponding picture so you can get an idea of the prices and options.
Note: These mock-ups are not to scale and are meant to help you choose the model of your screen or door, not the finish. Although we may create a general representation of black, iron, bronze, gold and silver tones, you must choose your finish from our samples using the links below. Ask your project manager which samples apply to the items in your project.
Finish Samples: Design Specialties Finishes | Stone Manufacturing Finishes | Hearth Creations Finishes
Before
Option #1: Craftsman Laser Cut Forged Steel Fireplace Door with 4 Sided Frame in Ancient Age
Option #3: Carolina Window Pane Welded Steel Fireplace Door with 4 Sided Frame in Venetian Bronze
Option #4: Silhouette Cutback Extruded Aluminum Fireplace Door with 4 Sided Frame in Old World Bronze
Other Pictures & Details
Bottom Left Corner Detail
Top Left Corner Detail
Great View of Fireplace Lintel Bar
Mesh & Insulation Options
The Mesh options are behind the glass so you can burn the fire with the doors open and still have spark protection. Great for real wood or gas logs since most gas long manufacturers insist that you have a screen in front of the logs when they are burning. Mesh panel doors are the most popular and are best for when there are toddlers present because they will not open backwards whereas the mesh screens are easily pushed in. Insulation goes between the back of the frame and the fireplace facing, providing a better seal.
Black Mesh Curtains - These slide back and forth on a rod behind the glass
Gate Mesh Doors - These are separate doors behind the glass that have a flat wire mesh and a black frame.
Insulation: Provides a better seal between the fireplace face and the door frame.
This page was created as part of our Free Fireplace Door Design service. Anyone who has a fireplace and is considering glass doors can take advantage of this program. All you have to do is email us some pictures of your fireplace and we will create digital mock-ups showing you how various fireplace doors will look on your fireplace. This is hands down the best way to shop for fireplace doors. Click Here to Begin Your Own Project!