how do you remove an old fireplace door

How to Remove Framed Fireplace Doors

• Look Inside Fireplace To assess your specific fireplace, open the doors, grab a flashlight, and take a look inside. ...
• Unscrew the Hardware Using whichever tool your specific hardware calls for, loosen the screws starting with the bottom brackets. ...
• Slide the Frame Out Close the doors and remove the frame by carefully sliding it out of the fireplace. ...

Full Answer

How do you remove a door from a wood burning stove?

This reduces the pressure and allows you to remove the door’s pin from the bracket. Lift the door until the bottom door pin can clear the hole it’s seated in. Angle the bottom of the door toward the middle of the fireplace until you have enough clearance for the top door pin to be removed from the seating hole.

How do you remove a fireplace door frame?

Locate the screws that connect the frame to the metal firebox. Using your screwdriver or drill, remove the screws holding the frame. Finish by removing the frame. Masonry fireplace doors always come set in a frame.

How do you fix a broken glass fireplace door?

Locate the two L-shaped brackets at the bottom of your glass fireplace doors. These hold the door to the frame. It may be easier to find these brackets if you open the doors slightly and bend them out of the way. Unscrew each of the four screws from the brackets using a Phillips screwdriver.

How do I open the doors on my fireplace?

1 Completely open each door to their respective sides. 2 Push up on the top clip to reduce the pressure so that you can get the door pin out of the clip. 3 Grab the each door and lift up the door until the “bottom door pin” can clear the “bottom receiving hole” located on the fireplace. More items...

How do you remove an old fireplace screen?

0:483:25How to Remove fireplace mesh curtain[DIY fireplace ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd it's very simple there's a couple of cob sheet metal screws right in here that are holding it inMoreAnd it's very simple there's a couple of cob sheet metal screws right in here that are holding it in and all you need to do is get a screwdriver or electric drill to pull them out and bam.

How do you remove a prefab fireplace door?

How to Remove Prefab Fireplace DoorsYour fireplace should be turned off. It is important that your fireplace is completely cool and turned off before attempting to remove the doors. ... Fully open both doors. ... Find the tension clips. ... Push on the top clip and slide the door pin out. ... Slide the bottom door pin out.

How do you use a fireplace door removal tool?

0:081:47Glass Door Removal & Cleaning (Regency Horizon HZI390 & HZI540)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe door removal tool is attached to the rating plate by a separate chain. This chain has to be openMoreThe door removal tool is attached to the rating plate by a separate chain. This chain has to be open to release the tool for use insert the wider end into the spring-loaded.

Can I remove the glass from my gas fireplace?

The glass panels on Direct Vent gas fireplaces cannot be removed. They are sealed combustion systems and need the glass to function properly.

Can you remove fireplace doors?

All you'll need for this job is a Phillips-head screwdriver and a pair of pliers. Find the L-shaped brackets at the bottom of your fireplace. Remove the screws from the bracket. After removing the bracket, the door will be supported from above by an adjustable clamp held to the lintel with thumbscrews.

Can you take glass doors off fireplace?

Removing the glass panels may seem tricky because they appear firmly mounted in place, but most fireplace doors are designed for easy removal in case the glass becomes cracked or needs more extensive cleaning. Glass fireplace doors are actually only held in place by a few screws and adjustable clamps.

What are the glass doors on a fireplace for?

Glass doors keep the heat in and drafts out. A good set of glass fireplace doors can close the open window of your chimney! The doors can block downdrafts from adding a chill from your home. Plus, it can keep the warm air from your home's living space from traveling into the firebox and out the chimney.

How do I remove a door?

0:021:24How to Remove a Door - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOne hand to steady the door as you pull that pin out so it doesn't just fall right over then theMoreOne hand to steady the door as you pull that pin out so it doesn't just fall right over then the door will come right off the hinges. Set it up against the wall.

Should I keep the glass doors closed on my fireplace?

The doors should always be fully open or fully closed. Glass doors should be fully open when starting a fire and when the fire is burning strongly. The glass doors should be closed as the fire dies down to minimize the amount of room air going up the fireplace chimney.

Why does my gas fireplace have a glass front?

You do not use or lose any room air to feed the fire and there is no exhaust coming into the home because all direct vent gas units have a fixed piece of glass in front of the fire in order for them to function and provide additional radiant heat.

Does a gas fireplace need a glass door?

A: Yes. In California Title 24 requires that glass doors be installed on all indoor fireplaces. Title 24 is the Energy Efficiency Standards for residential and nonresidential buildings that were established in 1978 in response to a legislative mandate to reduce California's energy consumption.

Can you have a gas fireplace without a glass front?

Gas fireplaces without glass have become a rapidly growing trend in modern interior design. Great for indoors, large open fireplaces also make a cozy addition to a deck or patio. The atmosphere created by open flames is both relaxing and enticing.

Can you replace the doors on a fireplace insert?

Surprisingly, the answer is yes! Some replacement fireplace doors come with a frame, and others do not. Let us explain: Replacement doors that do not come with a frame are for prefab or zero clearance fireplaces.

Can you replace a prefab fireplace with an insert?

In the end, most prefabricated or factory-built fireplaces won't allow inserts to be installed into their systems. And many older models won't even have language regarding inserts in their manuals.

How do you update a prefab fireplace?

5 Steps To Remodel Your Pre-Fab FireplaceStep 1: Clean Your Fireplace.Cleaning A Fireplace With Gas Logs.Cleaning Wood Burning Fireplaces.Step 3: Install Or Update Your Fireplace Door.Step 4: Install A Mantel Shelf.Step 5: Install A Refacing (Optional)

Can you put doors on a prefab fireplace?

Prefabricated fireplaces require special doors that usually must be custom made. They are designed differently than masonry fireplace doors because the door frame cannot cover up the air inlets inside the opening of the metal fireplace, otherwise the fireplace can overheat and cause a potential fire hazard.

Before You Begin

Depending on your reason for removing your fireplace doors, there are a few things you should do before diving into this project. First, prepare the fireplace for the job by extinguishing any heat source ahead of time and allowing ample time for the area to cool before you begin. If your fireplace is a gas unit, turn off the gas beforehand.

Safety Considerations

Fireplace doors often consist of glass and sheet metal. Without proper handling, both of these materials can pose safety risks. Avoid cuts by wearing gloves whenever possible while working with the sheet metal and handle glass gently to avoid breaking it.

Instructions

These steps involve the most common types of fireplace doors and should be adjusted as needed to fit your specific unit.

How to Remove Bi-Fold Fireplace Doors

Bi-fold doors are some of the most common fireplace doors; they resemble accordion closet doors.

How to Remove Framed Fireplace Doors

Framed fireplace doors come in many varieties, but they each share a similar removal process.

How to Remove Glass-Front Gas Inserts

Many modern gas fireplace inserts feature a solid glass front that needs to be cleaned occasionally.

When to Call a Professional

If at any point during the process of removing your fireplace doors you notice something that seems out of place, such as the smell of gas, a blocked chimney, or compromised materials, it may be wise to have it inspected by a professional before resuming normal operation.

How long does it take to remove glass from a fireplace?

Removing the glass doors is an easy fireplace job that can be done in under an hour. Whether you want to clean them or completely replace them, it is easy to get them out of the frame. Practicing safety while cleaning and removing them will ensure that they stay intact.

Why do you need to clean your fireplace doors?

By having working, clean doors on your fireplace, you are ensuring that it is as safe as possible. With the doors, you can adjust how much oxygen the fire gets and therefore, how hot it gets. This control is incredibly important for all indoor fireplaces.

Why are fireplace doors important?

Your fireplace’s doors play many important roles. They give the fireplace a finished, contemporary look, while at the same time providing many safety features. Without doors, your fireplace would not be very safe at all.

Why does my fireplace have fog on the door?

If the air inside the fireplace is warmer than the air outside when you start the fire, condensation will appear on the glass. Warmer air has more moisture which will disperse as the fire is lit. This ends up on the fireplace doors as fog.

Why does a fireplace need oxygen?

Fire needs oxygen in order to keep burning. If you did not have doors on the front of your fireplace, the fire would take up too much oxygen from your living room. This could result in a hotter fire and a possible house fire.

Where are the brackets on a door?

Before doing anything else, open up the doors and locate the L-shaped brackets that are holding them in place. These will usually be on the bottom corners. Sometimes they are finished in brass or silver.

Is a fireplace worth it?

Depending on how much you think you will use it, a fireplace could definitely be worth the money. It adds value to your home as well as increases your quality of living. However, only you can make the decision about whether or not it will be worth adding to your life

Can you remove a fireplace door frame?

The black metal face surrounding the fireplace opening is usually riveted to the the fireplace unit and cannot be removed. The doors and frame are the only thing you can remove safely from the unit without causing any damage.

Do prefab fireplaces have a frame?

For many prefab fireplaces the clips and tracks are missing so doors with a frame have to be installed. Below is a picture of bifold doors in a frame. If your old doors are aftermarket doors (retrofit doors), then they probably came with a surround frame (think of it as a picture frame). This frame along with the 2 doors will need to be removed.

Can you take apart a bifold door?

This is a legitimate question that we get asked a lot. The answer is usually no. There are a couple of reasons for this. First it is very hard to take apart a bifold door replace the glass and then reinstall it. It is not impossible but it is a royal pain. It requires removal of the tension clips that hold the class in place and then reassembly with the original door. Cheaper doors are not made to be taken apart and put back together. Many times the factory in China will seal a door’s glass in a way that prevents it from being replaced. You also run into the issue that if the doors are very old the glass will frequently have stains and film that will not come off making the new glass stand out and ruin the appearance of your doors. Normally you are better off just replacing the entire unit.

Why is a fireplace used?

The fireplace is a was commonly used in the early time to provide warmth during winter or cold seasons. It was the only source of warmth in the house. In modern times, people have devised other sources of warmth in the house like electric heaters and others. Nevertheless, the tradition of the fireplace has not vanished.

Can you remove a fireplace gateway?

Removing the fireplace gateway may seem difficult. But when you understand and follow the procedures elaborated above, it becomes an easy task.

Do fireplaces come with doors?

Modern fireplaces come along with doors. Some people do not like the idea of having doors in their fireplace- or they need to doors that are broken. Remember, you can always use this guide for cleaning gas fireplace glass. Therefore, it is essential to learn how to remove the doors in your hearth without hurting yourself or doing any damage to them.

Can a fireplace door prevent creosote buildup?

A well-maintained fireplace door can help prevent creosote buildup in your chimney when you are not using your fireplace. Creosote buildup may result in chimney fires, which are very dangerous and costly to homeowners. This little-known fact may have you considering whether you should inspect your fireplace door for damage before using it this winter season, particularly if you have not used it in a while.

How to unclamp a door?

Unclamp the door from the top metal lintel bar where it's now loosely attached. You'll need to work with two hands, and you will have to tilt the door somewhat to get it unclamped.

Where are the brackets on a glass fireplace door?

Locate the two L-shaped brackets at the bottom of your glass fireplace doors. These hold the door to the frame. It may be easier to find these brackets if you open the doors slightly and bend them out of the way.

What to do if glass is cracked?

Use gloves if glass is cracked to protect hands in case of accidental shattering. Modern home fireplaces often come supplied with a set of glass doors, but many homeowners prefer the look, feel and sounds of an open hearth. Removing the glass panels may seem tricky because they appear firmly mounted in place, but most fireplace doors are designed ...

How to remove a door from a clamp?

Hold the doors tightly and tilt a bit to remove it from the clamp and place the doors in a safe place along with the screws.

How many screws do you need to remove a bracket?

Then you need to get a Philips screwdriver to remove the screws from the bracket. There will be four screws to remove.

What was the purpose of the gatherings near the fireplace?

There used to be family gatherings in the evening near the fireplace. They used to enjoy their daily chores and also tell stories.

Do fireplace doors come with tension clips?

There can be masonry fireplace doors that come along with tension clips.

Do fireplaces have doors?

But modern fireplaces mostly come along with the doors. And many people do not like the idea of having the doors in the fireplaces.

Can you change tools in a fireplace?

This will sometimes lead you to change a few tools of the fireplace as they can be connected in the fireplace.

Can you remove bifold glass doors?

Removing the bifold glass fireplace doors is very easy. All you need to pay attention to is that the fireplace is not hot or lit while you do the job.