Ceramic Glass DoorsĪnother common form of glass for fireplaces and wood stoves is ceramic glass.Ĭeramic glass looks like glass, but it’s actually a hardened ceramic material that is transparent. However, anything above that likely causes too much thermal expansion. Tempered glass is the right choice if your fire stays between the 400-500✯ range. Aside from increasing temperature and break resistance, this glass will also break into smaller pieces that stick together, instead of large sharp shards that could cause injury. The tempering process causes the outer surfaces of the glass to compress and the inner surfaces of the glass to tense. This makes it stronger than non-tempered types of glass, also known as annealed or untreated glass. When glass manufacturers create tempered glass, they heat the glass and then quickly cool it down. This type of glass is typically heat resistant to about 400-500✯. Tempered Glass Doorsįireplace glass on prefabricated fireplaces is manufactured as tempered glass. The quality and type of glass doors on a fireplace are large factors in their durability. When a fire is running, tempered glass doors should not be closed, but ceramic glass doors can be closed if needed. Prefabricated fireplaces require tempered glass while masonry fireplaces require ceramic glass. A small crack is an indicator that the general integrity of the glass has been compromised, which could lead to the rest of the glass breaking, causing a later issue. If you notice a small crack in a section of the glass screen, consider replacing it. Perform regular inspections of all fireplace elements, glass doors included, to ensure there are no:Ī yearly inspection and cleaning are recommended for all fireplace components, including glass doors and the chimney or vent. Even though fireplace glass is tempered (strengthened against physical and heat damage), it is still possible to break it.Īccidents happen and there is no specific remedy to this except to make sure pets, kids, and heavy objects do not land near the glass doors. If you’re still concerned about sparks or hot surfaces for pets or children, purchase a metal mesh screen as a replacement. Recommended: When to Close Glass Doors on a Fireplace (The Truth) It’s recommended to leave tempered fireplace doors open while a fire is running (more on tempered vs ceramic doors later). Anything in the 600✯ range and up could cause excessive thermal expansion, leading to shattered glass doors. The typically safe temperature range for most tempered glass is between 400-500✯. If that happens, the glass may crack or shatter. If a fire becomes too hot or heats up too rapidly, it causes glass expansion that cannot be contained within the confines of its metal frame. Most if not all glass doors are kept within a metal frame around the entrance of the firebox. If the glass doors appear like they were made decades ago, it is safe to assume that it is okay to replace them with something that has not had decades of exposure to fire. This damage weakens the tempered glass and can lead to shattering later on. Cracks and scratches are other good indicators. Soot build-up and discoloration are common signs your glass doors are old and may need to be replaced. Prefab fireplaces generally last about 20-30 years while masonry fireplaces can last well over 100 years. The lifetime of a fireplace’s glass doors largely depends on: When the glass gets weakened, it becomes even more vulnerable to contraction and expansion from heating and cooling. That is because each time it is exposed to high heat, it reduces and weakens the strength of the glass door. However, every time a fire is burned that will slightly reduce the lifespan of the doors. Age How Long Do Fireplace Glass Doors Last?įireplace glass doors typically last for 10+ years and even decades. Need a fire starter for your fireplace? Check out these top-rated fire starters on Amazon. Let’s take a look at the 4 most common reasons fireplace glass doors break, why tempered and ceramic doors matter, and how we can fix them. This is why ceramic doors can remain closed with a lit fire. While prefabricated fireplaces have tempered glass doors, masonry fireplaces have ceramic glass doors and can withstand much higher heat. Here’s what I found.įireplace glass doors break due to age, prolonged heat exposure, physical damage, and issues with quality or material. While I haven’t had this happen personally, I did more research to find out more. A reader reached out and asked why their fireplace glass doors broke and if they should fix it themselves.
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