How to Measure and Install Fireplace Doors
Fireplace Measuring Guides
Before you get started, we recommend you Email Us Pictures Of Your Fireplace so we can see what you have and tailor make instructions that specifically address your needs. We will point out any issues you might expect and help you avoid mistakes or unfortunate surprises during installation. Below are two generic measuring guides you can download if you like, but sending us pictures is the best route to take since every fireplace is different.
Generic Measuring Guide - Rectangular Fireplaces
Generic Measuring Guide - Multi-Sided and Arched Fireplaces
Stone Manufacturing
Products made by Stone Manufacturing are highly customized and do not come with instructions. The two links below have generalized instructions that should be helpful. If you have any difficulties understanding how to install your Stone Manufacturing products, please email your questions along with pictures of the product and hardware to: gregt@hansenwholesale.com
Bar and Mesh Instructions (.pdf)
All Other Stone Manufacturing Products (general instructions)
Design Specialties
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 mortarVideo #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