I Want To Replace The Glass In My Direct Vent Gas Fireplace With A Fireplace Door

Replacing the glass in a direct vent fireplace with a fireplace door is strongly NOT recommended. It is illegal to run a direct vent unit without glass sealed in the facing frame. The sealed design of a direct vent fireplace is what makes it so safe, drawing 100% of the byproducts and exhaust outside of the home, keeping the air quality inside the home clean.

If the full front facing has already been removed, contact the manufacturer to see if they will supply a replacement, or else the fireplace will be rendered useless.

What Is A Direct Vent Fireplace?

Direct vent fireplaces are a type of gas fireplace fueled by natural gas or propane.

• They are typically turned on with the flip of a wall switch and will still work even when the electricity is out.
• The firebox is completely sealed off from the living space with a glass panel, drawing air in from outside for combustion, and then pushing the exhaust directly back outside without it ever entering the home.
• The risks of carbon monoxide poisoning and backdrafting are practically eliminated.
• They don’t require a chimney, typically venting horizontally through an outside wall or vertically through the chimney with a short pipe.
• They can be installed virtually anywhere in the home. Some units can be even installed in smaller rooms like the bedroom or bathroom but double check local codes before buying and installing.
• Because of the sealed firebox, direct vents have one of the highest ratings of efficiency for fireplaces since none of the air in the room escapes through the fireplace. It also shields against sparks, reducing fire hazards.

With all of the warm air going back outside, one may wonder just exactly how does this fireplace even heat a room?

• Heat is dispelled into the room from the fireplace by radiating through the glass. Some models may have a blower fan to circulate the warm air into the room.

All direct vent fireplaces come with their own gas log sets, which cannot be changed or modified. Logs will be made of ceramic or refractory cement and will include a grate and glowing ember bed. But there are some manufacturers, like Napoleon, that have more modern glass embers, mineral rocks, and wrought iron globes options with their direct vents.

Maintenance and Repair

If the glass panel is looking a little dirty, follow the manufacturer instructions on how to remove it and the surrounding frame and gasket. Use a glass cleaner that does not contain ammonia. While the frame is out, check the condition of the gasket around the frame. If there are any tears or fraying in the gasket rope, it needs to be replaced. 

If the glass is scratched, chipped, or broken, it needs to be replaced. Our sister site, Fast Replacement Glass, can help you get what you need, including a new gasket for the frame as well. Double check which the manufacturer first though, as some direct vent fireplaces can only have the glass, gaskets, and frame replaced as one whole unit. 

If you are simply looking to update the look of the fireplace, we offer direct vent safety screens in various decor styles that snap right onto the existing frame with strong earth magnets. They also double as an extra safety barrier from the hot glass panel. But the safety screen MUST go over the existing glass.

WARNING!

Risk of Asphyxiation! Handle fixed glass assembly with care. Inspect the gasket to ensure it is undamaged and inspect the glass for cracks, chips or scratches. • DO NOT strike, slam or scratch glass. • DO NOT operate fireplace with glass removed, cracked, broken or scratched. • Replace as a complete assembly.