How to Install Glass Fireplace Doors

Glass fireplace doors are an essential part of fireplace safety. The glass doors provide a barrier between wood-burning fires and the home. Gas fireplaces can be turned off, but a wood-burning fireplace must burn itself out. Closing the glass doors means you can walk away from the room without worrying about embers flying out and catching the carpet on fire. Most new fireplaces come with glass doors, but older fireplaces might not have them installed. If you are considering installing glass fireplace doors, it isn't difficult.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver
• Lintel clamps
• L-shaped brackets
• Black marker
• Drill motor
• 5/16-inch masonry bit
• Hammer
• 2 lead anchors
• Insulation
• Sheet metal screws
• Socket wrench
• Pliers

1. 
    

   Choose a glass fireplace door unit. The doors are attached to a one-piece frame. Place the doors on the floor in front of you and lean them on your body for stability while you work. Remove the screws on the back of the unit, one at each corner. Set them aside for later use. Put together the lintel clamps and screw them into the screw holes, with two of the previously removed screws, one at each top corner.

2. Adjust the screws on the lintel clamps so they line up perfectly with the lintel bar along the front, top edge of the fireplace box. The lintel clamp has a 1 1/2-inch slot so you can move the clamp up or down for positioning. Use the bottom two previously removed screws to attach L-shaped metal brackets to both bottom corners of the glass door unit.

3. Place the entire fireplace door unit into the opening of the firebox and position it. Use a dark black marker to mark where the bracket holes meet on the floor. Remove the doors and drill 2-inch holes at both of the bracket marks. Use a 5/16-inch masonry bit and a drill motor.

4. Hammer into each hole a lead anchor. Make sure it is flush with the ground. Lead anchors hold well in brick.

5. Seal the inside of the fireplace glass doors with insulation by placing strips along the channels on the top and both sides.

6. Insert the door unit back inside the opening. Make sure the unit is flush with the front of the fireplace box, and make sure there isn't any insulation sticking out. Secure the glass doors to the firebox by screwing sheet metal screws through the bottom brackets and into the lead anchors. Tighten the screws with a socket wrench.

7. 
    

   Adjust the lintel clamps to the lintel bar. Make sure they are positioned correctly and then tighten the thumbscrew with pliers to secure the doors in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a wet/dry vacuum handy for cleaning up after you've drilled the holes. When drilling the holes into the fireplace box make sure they are straight down to ensure that the screws will go in straight, as well. Always wear gloves when working with insulation.
• Do not lay the fireplace glass doors on their front as this could damage the glass. Do not overtighten the screws in the bracket or you might loosen the anchors from the brick.