Fire safety codes require an 1/8 inch gap around a fireplace door for proper air flow and to prevent overheating. So while our air sealed enclosures are not truly 100% air tight, it's the pre-installed fireplace door gasket seal around the edge of the doors that prevents them from being drafty. We have custom sizing available to ensure that your wood burning fireplace glass door fits snuggly in your firebox for optimized efficiency.

Some of our energy efficient enclosures come with tempered safety glass, while others offer with the added bonus of ceramic glass door panels! High temperature pyroceram allows you to burn a fire while your fireplace doors are shut, without having  to worry about the glass panes breaking under extreme heat exposure.

Finish colors, various methods of spark protection, and damper options are also available when selecting one of these air tight enclosure with a fireplace door deal. Our high-quality steel and aluminum doors are American made, and free shipping is included with all of our products. 

CASE STUDY

Recently, we had some customers ask if they could install an air tight ceramic glass door on a see through fireplace in order to burn a fire with the doors closed. The answer is yes. Ceramic glass has a higher heat rating than tempered glass. It does allow you to burn a fire with the doors shut without shattering from the extreme temperatures generated from within the firebox. Tempered glass fireplace doors will shatter if closed while the flames are going. In addition, the gasket seal around the edges of our ceramic glass doors prevents the enclosures from being too drafty. 

Another question that was asked: "Is it necessary to purchase a ceramic glass door for each side of the see through fireplace, or can one opening be closed off with a single pane of ceramic glass or masonry?" While two air tight ceramic glass doors may seem like a substantial investment, it is the safest choice for this situation. Fire safety codes require proper airflow and draw of the fireplace and chimney. As mentioned, these codes also require a minimum 1/8 inch gap around the fireplace door (which our air tight enclosure do abide by) to prevent overheating. Closing off one opening would not only starve the fire from the oxygen it needs, it could also create too hot a firebox, which could cause severe damage to the see through fireplace and the material or glass that was used to block off the opening. 

As a safety precaution related to this case study, remember that you should always burn a fire with open doors if using tempered glass doors. You may keep your doors closed ONLY if you are installing ceramic glass fireplace doors. We highly recommend purchasing the same type of glass fireplace enclosure for both sides of a see through application.

FAQs

Are sealed fireplace doors air tight?

• When you hear the term “air tight,” what is really being conveyed here is that the masonry fireplace door has pre-installed gaskets (or seals) around the inside of the door frame, as well as around the glass. While no fireplace door is 100% air tight, the gaskets do help to achieve a state of minimal air loss. 
• As of 2016, an update to the International Building Code was made, stating that newly constructed masonry fireplaces need to have either a tight fitting flue damper or gasketed fireplace doors in order to operate. This new code is beneficial for a couple of reasons:

1. The sealing around wood burning fireplace glass doors keeps heat from the home escaping up the chimney.
2. Prevents drafts from coming down through the chimney.

• Glass enclosures that do not have gaskets can still be every bit as efficient as an air tight fireplace door. A custom fit door that is properly installed is your best bet for assuring reliable, energy-saving performance. 

What is pyroceram glass?

• Also known as ceramic fireplace door glass, pyroceram glass is a high temperature material made from a combination of strong and durable ceramic and heat resistant tempered glass. It offers a beautiful yet subtle amber tint and is preferred in heating applications that produce extreme temperatures (in excess of 1000°F). One of the advantages of having ceramic glass fireplace doors is that the homeowner can leave the enclosure doors shut while the fire is burning without having to worry about the glass shattering from heat exposure. 

How does the damper close/ seal on the Supreme Air Sealed Masonry Fireplace Door?

• The damper is a slider that moves from left to right. This helps to regulate the air flow when a fire is lit. The damper cannot be made air sealed otherwise you couldn't slide it. 

Click here if you have more questions about Masonry Fireplace Doors.