Doors with glass for the fireplace
Intending to make a door with glass inserts, it is worth, first of all, to decide on its style. It is important that it corresponds to the overall decoration of the room and the specifics available in your particular case. So, for example, in small rooms it makes sense to make a double-winged insert to save space or to lift up. Both of these would be ideal for a corner fireplace. The main point that must not be forgotten is the selection of glass. It should have a heat resistance of at least 800 degrees. this is the temperature to which the flame usually flares up.
The prepared glass is inserted into the metal frame of the door itself, and the latter, in turn, is attached with hinges to the outer frame, fixed in the opening of the fireplace. At the same time:
- On the inside, a sealant is mounted, so that the smoke does not penetrate into the room;
- From the bottom of the outer frame make holes with adjustable plugs for air access to the furnace;
- Keep in mind that metal tends to expand strongly when heated, so the gap between the transparent insert and the frame do not do too much;
- When proceeding to the manufacture, remember. the glass can not be fixed firmly, because when installing it will need to be removed from the door;
- for sealing, fiberglass strips are inserted into the frame.
Door for a fireplace with glass with their own hands, manufacturing algorithm
Most likely, you know that you need sand to make glass, and indeed, it is the most important ingredient. To make the glass object obtained transparent, use quartz sand without metal impurities, which give the material a colored touch.
To make the glass need siliceous sand, otherwise known as quartz sand.
Since quartz sand has a melting point of 2300⁰C, you need components that will help reduce it to make the manufacturing process easier and more affordable. Sodium carbonate or common calcined soda has become such an ingredient, thanks to which the melting temperature has been almost halved.
Soda (sodium carbonate) lowers the temperature required to produce the glass cloth.
Soda makes glass permeable, which makes it impractical in everyday life and in manufacturing. To make the material stronger, calcium oxide or lime is added to the alloy. Additionally, magnesium or aluminum oxides may be present in the composition for maximum resistance to physical and chemical factors.
For the production of fine decorative glass, such as crystal, lead oxide is used as an additive, which makes the product shiny and fragile. Lanthanum oxide is usually present in eyeglass lenses because of its ability to refract light rays.
The most used additive in the production of decorative glass is lead oxide, which gives luster.
Sapphire glass for spectacles is made with the addition of aluminum oxide which makes it extremely hard and resistant to physical damage. To make colored glass, iron oxide is added to the alloy for red, nickel for brown and purple, copper and chromium for green, Cobalt for blue, and other metals.
During production, the glass is melted together in a furnace until a homogeneous alloy is obtained, and then transferred to a container of tin, which does not mix with the glass, preserving its homogeneity. Already at this stage the glass is gradually cooled, becoming smooth and thin.
To obtain a homogeneous mass it is necessary to remove bubbles. to get such an effect glassmakers make constant stirring until the molten glass mass thickens.
The alloy cools down completely when moving along the conveyor, which can be up to 100 m long, it is necessary to prevent the formation of excessive pressure inside the alloy, which can lead to future defects. After the conveyor, the glass is further processed to create different products.
The only difference between the panes of glass is the material used for production. But the process itself is virtually the same.
Decor and other functions of a fireplace door
Against the background of the disadvantages of an open fireplace hatch, the fireplace door is simply a wonderful salvation from all of these disadvantages. Even though the flames are hidden behind the glass firebox door, you can still admire them through the clear glass. Everyone knows about the decorative functions of closed fireboxes, so let’s go straight to the technical issues.
Closed firebox allows you to install a water circuit in the fireplace, and it is already a prerequisite for the full use of the fireplace as a heat generating device, and, moreover, the main.
DIY Fireplace Door Installation Pleasant Hearth
Thanks to the special design of the door, slow burning technology is possible. By adjusting the air supply, a better combustion of fuel is achieved, and consequently the efficiency is increased. By installing protection, you can have peace of mind regarding safety, even if there are children playing in the room.
How to choose?
To choose the most appropriate variant of the door, you need to take into account all the nuances. To achieve safety and visual harmony, the door must match the design of the fireplace. So when choosing a glass element, you can buy a model with flat or convex glass. It can also be a single-layer, segmental or rounded panoramic version.
The thickness of the glass should also be correct. Its heat-resistant properties will depend on it. It will also affect the warranty period declared by the manufacturer.
Casting and forging are used to frame the glass window in the door. As a result, the door is heavy. To increase the ease of opening, auxiliary mechanisms and devices are developed.
It is also important to remember that when selling glass elements for fireplaces, Russian manufacturers provide a spare set of heat-resistant glass (in case of replacement). Import manufacturers sell only one piece, which is not very convenient. If you need to replace it in this case, you will have to spend a lot of time and money.
When choosing, you should also consider how you heat the device. If the fireplace is heated only with wood, then use metal doors or models with glass inserts. If you use coke or coal, you must install the cast-iron version.
If you take into account all the recommendations, your fireplace will serve you for a long time. Correctly chosen door should be able to withstand the temperature from 600º C to 1000º C.
As for the method of opening, the most reliable and safe are double-leaf, guillotine and side-opening models.
Varieties of glass
In general, only three types of glass are used to make a fireplace door. We are talking about:
The first type is in general the most common glass that has undergone a special hardening, during which it is initially strongly heated and then quickly cooled. As a result, it acquires a fairly high heat resistance and considerable strength. the finished product is virtually impossible to scratch, and it can be broken only by a targeted blow.
Quartz glass is practically a chemically pure product that contains no extraneous impurities. Its production is a very long and labor-intensive process, which explains its relatively high cost. This variety is characterized by its ability to withstand even very large temperature fluctuations, which guarantees a long service life.
For borosilicate glass, silica and boron oxide are taken. This mixture melts at a relatively low temperature, while the finished product comes out durable and resistant to mechanical damage and heat. At the same time, it retains a high degree of plasticity and is used for the production of objects with complex shapes.
Tips for use and care
A glass fireplace does not require any effort for maintenance. Modern design of bio-models is equipped with a system of burning all the fuel without residue. It is enough to wipe dust from the surface from time to time. Gas fireplaces or wood burning fireplaces with glass doors will require more maintenance. The main problem in operation is cleaning off soot and soot.
It is formed for several reasons.
- If the fireplace is a gas fireplace, the cause may be the wrong amount of fuel in relation to the air intake. Check that the burner is not clogged, and that the nozzles are in the correct position (gas supply holes).
- If the model runs on propane-butane, the gas supply may be distorted in relation to the air, the gas itself may be of poor quality. Check that the nozzles, burner, fuel tank are in good condition and replace them if necessary.
- If you need to install the glass doors on the wood burning fireplace, soot can not be avoided. To keep this to a minimum, the gate valves should be kept open and the flue pipe should be cleaned at regular intervals. It is better not to use coniferous wood as fuel: in the process of its combustion a large amount of soot is formed, the presence of resin makes it difficult to clean the glass.
Cleaning the glass screen does not require much effort. To do this, you can use a special cleaner for glass fireplaces. Stores offer a wide variety of products. Most often it comes in the form of sprays or pastes, which are applied to the glass, and then removed with a sponge. Later, clean glass is polished with a dry cloth.
If you need to clean the fireplace, but can not buy the product in the store, you can use ash. It should be wet, then use a newspaper to treat soiled sashes with it, and then rinse with water. You can make a special liquid for cleaning soot with your own hands. It requires water and vinegar in the ratio of 1: 1.
Glass doors should be removed from the fireplace and placed on the floor. Use a sprayer to liberally spray the mortar on them. When the liquid has dried, wipe the glass dry with dry newspaper. If your fireplace is equipped with non-removable hinges, the doors are treated with cloths soaked in a solution.
It is better to clean the fireplace after each use. That way soot will not accumulate. To keep the glass in a wood-burning fireplace from smoking, it is best to use dry and clean wood for kindling. During use, you can use a special trick: leave a narrow slit on top of the glass. Through the flow of air creates a barrier from soot. To keep the glass transparent, after using and cleaning the fireplace, you can apply a hard soap on it. The effect will be evident in its subsequent use.
Materials and glassmaking
In order to create a door for the stove with glass with their own hands, you will need materials such as:
- silicone sealant;
- About 4 window panes that fit the size of the screen;
- stones for decoration;
- metal mesh or grating;
- A box of metal, which will be the same size as the screen.
The design of the glass screen for the fireplace is quite simple:
- Silicone sealant is applied to all 4 panes of glass along their edges.
- All panes of glass are fixed so that a parallelepipedic shape is obtained. It is important to keep right angles.
- The planes of the elements are pressed firmly to each other and remain in this position until the sealant hardens completely.
- The remains of the substance, which protruded beyond the plane, should be cut off.
In this simple way you can make a screen for the fireplace.
Fireplaces in private homes are not so much intended to be used for heating purposes but rather for decorative purposes and give owners and guests a sense of home comfort and warmth. To obtain such an effect, the fire must be visible, but an open firebox is not safe in terms of fire danger.
Advantages of a glass firebox door
- to achieve the necessary level of fire safety;
- Relative saving of fuel due to delayed combustion and reduced heat loss;
- the use of the fireplace as an additional source of heating;
- preventing carbon monoxide from entering the room;
- Many options for decorating the door by inserting metal shaped and patterned elements while maintaining a view of the open fire.
Disadvantages of glass door
- Smoked glass
- No distinct sound of wood crackling
- High temperature of the firebox
- Additional fire safety
- High manufacturing cost (20-25 t).р.)
- No sense of a fireplace
Other types of doors for closed fireplaces also have positive qualities (metal, refractory ceramic, cast iron), but they need periodic cleaning of scale. In addition, they do not provide complete protection against the emission of harmful elements generated by the combustion process, they heat up to dangerous temperatures and make it impossible to watch the fire.
Types of glass for the firebox door
- Tempered. Made by tempering standard glass. Withstands temperatures up to 400 ° C and is resistant to mechanical damage, including impact. This type of glass is easy to make and relatively inexpensive.
- Borosilicate. The glass is made with the addition of boron oxide, it melts at relatively low temperatures. The heat-resistance up to 800 °C, and the strength is twice that of tempered glass. Because of these qualities, this material has gained popularity, even though its price is relatively high.
- Quartz. From borosilicate glass, quartz glass has a good transparency, but the cost is off the scale due to the complex technology of production.
Preparatory stage
First determines the size of the door. The bigger it is, the heavier it is, the load on the supporting parts of the fireplace is higher. If the single door becomes too heavy for the size of the firebox opening, a double-sash door is needed. Remove the glass from the door so as to prevent accidental damage during fitting and installation work.
Then the dirty and not too healthy part of the job is done. along the perimeter of the furnace hole with the angle grinder or by hand make grooves (slots) for the door. During this operation the joint must be measured horizontally and vertically with a spirit level. The depth and width are determined by constantly testing the door frame for tightness and sufficient fit into the groove. Also, when determining the depth of the seam, take into account the space available for the insertion of the gasket.
Installing the door
The perimeter of the door is wrapped with asbestos cord soaked in special heat-resistant mortar for oven masonry in 2-3 layers. Then it is inserted into the opening and additionally fixed in it on special devices (dowels for ceramics).
After installation, the joints of the frame to the furnace opening are checked for cracks and irregularities. If they are identified, they are sealed with mortar (fireproof sealant) and, if necessary, with asbestos cord. The masonry mortar is suitable for use. The masonry mortar can be used for 30 minutes, which is why you also need to take this into account if the door is large or the construction consists of several parts.
Finishing work
After the mixture has fully set on the joints (up to 4 days), glass is installed in the door and a test of the fireplace is created by burning fuel in it. Identified flaws (uneven combustion or getting smoke into the room) are eliminated, and the fireplace is ready for final cladding
In this article you learned how to equip your own hands open fireplace with a glass door, and the step by step technology work.
Types of doors for the fireplace
There are several of the most popular materials from which the doors are made, so that it is not too hot near the fireplace. Forged. presented in the form of grids with a variety of patterns and ornaments, made of steel. Fencing of this kind does not fully perform its function, because through the holes can both fall out of a spark and leak smoke.
Such fences are used for modern style, indispensable classic, modern design.
Depending on the stylist’s idea, you can also create interesting combinations of different materials. Ceramic ones are made by firing high temperature clay, which contributes to sufficient resistance of the material to open fire. This kind of doors are often installed in stoves, if it is provided by the designer. This style adds attractiveness and coziness, and it will create harmony in the house, where the rustic style reigns.
Metal blinds have quite an attractive design, provide complete security. Such doors are made of cast iron, it has an increased resistance to high temperature, but for greater reliability, is also carried out additional coating with fire-resistant enamel. These types of doors are used quite rarely, they need to be very carefully beaten, so as not to get a rough room as a result.
There are variants of different types of glass:
Tempered glass is produced by first heating it to a high temperature, then cooling it sharply. After such procedures performed, the glass becomes sufficiently resistant, both to high temperatures and to a variety of damages that often occur in the home. Quartz doors are made of quartz or sand, foreign impurities are practically not observed. This material has a very laborious and complicated manufacturing procedure, but is highly resistant to various temperature fluctuations, so it has an acceptable cost, but for many a bit high.
Borosilicate glass is made from substances such as silica and boron oxide. Due to the low melting point, they are not only resistant to very high temperatures, a variety of mechanical damage, but also quite plastic, compared to conventional glass. This kind of doors can decorate and change almost any interior, adding attractiveness, comfort and color to it, and in combination with forged elements, they will look elegant and stylish.
