Adding stylish doors to your fireplace is one of the easiest ways to breathe new life into your living space. Imagine swapping out your tired, sooty hearth for something sleek, modern, and, dare I say, Instagram-worthy. But before we dive into style choices and the aesthetic possibilities, let's talk about the practical side: making sure those fabulous new doors actually fit your fireplace. Measuring properly is key—after all, the best-looking doors in the world won’t do you any good if they don’t fit.

So, let’s get out our measuring tapes, pencils, and paper, and I’ll guide you through this process step by step. Oh, and don’t worry, I promise to keep it fun. We’ll be measuring like pros in no time, and your fireplace will be the chicest spot in the house!

Why You Need Fireplace Doors

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of measurements, let's quickly chat about why you might want to add fireplace doors in the first place. It's not just about looks—though let’s be real, that’s a big part of it. Fireplace doors offer multiple practical benefits, too:

Modernize Your Fireplace: It’s like a facelift for your hearth. A set of sleek glass doors can turn your dated fireplace into the chic centerpiece of your room. No need to smash up bricks or deal with the dust of a major renovation—just pop on some new doors!
Increase Heat Efficiency: Believe it or not, those glass doors aren’t just for show. When your fire isn’t burning, closing the doors helps trap heat inside the room. Think of them as cozy little blankets for your hearth, helping to block out drafts and reduce heat loss.
Boost Safety: Fireplace doors can also keep stray sparks and embers from escaping and causing a hazard, especially if you’ve got little ones or pets around. Plus, they keep curious fingers (or paws) from getting too close to the fire.

Ready, Set, Measure!

Alright, now it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get down to the measuring. Whether you have a masonry fireplace, a zero-clearance unit, or a custom fireplace, I’ve got you covered. This process is surprisingly straightforward, and you’ll be glad you took the time to get it right when those doors arrive and fit like a glove.

What You’ll Need:

Steel measuring tape (the retractable kind, unless you’re into frustration)
Pencil (or pen, if you're feeling rebellious)
Paper (sticky notes, fancy notebooks, whatever works)

Measuring for Stock Masonry Glass Doors

Let’s start with stock masonry fireplaces. These are your traditional fireplaces, usually built with brick or stone. Lucky for you, measuring these is a breeze!

Measure On 3 Locations Using A Steel Tape Width & Height

Height: Measure the height of the fireplace opening at three points—left, middle, and right. Why three? Because fireplaces, like people, aren’t always perfectly symmetrical. Use the smallest of these numbers as your final measurement.
Width: Same process as with height. Measure the width at the top, middle, and bottom of the opening. Again, use the smallest number you get.
Check for Space: Does your fireplace have enough room to support the door? Many masonry fireplaces have hearth extensions (the area that protrudes from the front of your fireplace). If yours does, it’ll provide a sturdy base for your new door. If not, you may need some modifications.
Overlap Mount Considerations: Stock masonry doors often come with an overlap mount, meaning they’ll sit flush against your fireplace’s front. However, if your fireplace has a rough surface like natural stone, you might have trouble getting the doors to sit evenly. In that case, you’ll want to consider custom doors.

Measuring for Custom Masonry Doors

For custom fireplaces, the process is similar to measuring stock masonry fireplaces, but with more freedom to choose. The beauty of custom doors is that you can fit them to almost any fireplace type, but you still need to measure carefully!

Height and Width: Measure the height from the left, middle, and right. Do the same for the width—top, middle, and bottom. Use the smallest measurements, as you want the door to fit snugly inside the opening.
Overlap or Inside Fit: Decide if you want an overlap fit (where the frame sits on top of the fireplace opening) or an inside fit (where it fits within the opening). This will affect how the doors look once installed and may depend on whether your fireplace’s face is smooth or contoured.

Measuring for Zero-Clearance Fireplace Doors

How To Measure The Opening On A Prefab Fireplace

Zero-clearance fireplaces are factory-built, often installed into walls, and they typically have their own metal firebox. Measuring for zero-clearance doors is a little different since they sit inside the fireplace opening.

Height and Width: Measure the inside of the fireplace opening—height and width—just like you did with the masonry fireplace. But unlike masonry fireplaces, you’ll use the exact measurements (no need to take the smallest one).
Custom Options: If you’re feeling fancy, zero-clearance doors can also be designed for an overlap fit, but that’s a job for the pros. You might want to get in touch with an expert from Fireplace Doors Online if you're going down that road.

Understanding Hearth Types: Which One Do You Have?

The Yellow Is The Hearth Of The Fireplace

Not all hearths are created equal, and the type of hearth you have plays a big role in how you’ll install your new doors. There are four hearth styles to consider, and each one has its own quirks when it comes to installation.

1. Flush Hearth

If the hearth and firebox are on the same level, you’ve got yourself a flush hearth. This makes installation straightforward because the door frame can sit directly on the hearth.

2. Raised Hearth

A raised hearth means the firebox is slightly higher than the hearth extension, typically by about half an inch. If the difference is minor, you can still install the door directly on the hearth, but make sure you’ve measured that gap!

3. Lowered Hearth

As the name suggests, a lowered hearth means the hearth extension sits lower than the firebox opening. This style can complicate things a bit, as you’ll need to carefully measure the distance between the hearth and the opening for a secure fit.

4. Hole-in-the-Wall Hearth

No Hearth, Fireplace Opening Is Above The Floor

If your fireplace is mounted directly into the wall without a hearth extension, it’s considered a hole-in-the-wall hearth. Don’t panic—this is perfectly normal, and you can still install fireplace doors! You’ll likely want an inside fit door that sits flush within the fireplace opening.

What About That Lintel Bar?

Piece Of Angle Iron Across Your Fireplace Opening (Usually Rusty)

Ah yes, the lintel bar. This sneaky little piece of metal supports the weight of the masonry above your fireplace opening. When measuring for your new doors, don’t forget to account for this!

Measure from the front of the fireplace to the front of the lintel bar.
Then, measure 3.5 inches into the fireplace opening and check the width.
Finally, measure from the bottom of the lintel bar to the hearth floor to ensure everything fits snugly.

Wrapping It Up: Why Fireplace Doors Are a Win

By now, you should feel like a fireplace door-measuring master! Whether you're refreshing an old masonry fireplace or modernizing a zero-clearance unit, adding fireplace doors is a game-changer for both aesthetics and functionality. You’ll not only enhance the beauty of your fireplace but also improve heat efficiency and safety.

Pro Tips Recap:

Always use seasoned wood in your wood-burning fireplace—less smoke, more heat.
Measure twice, buy once! (Or something like that.)
Choose the door fit that best complements your hearth—overlap or inside fit.
Don't forget to account for the lintel bar.
Get help from a certified expert if needed, especially with custom fits.

Whether you're sprucing up for the season or doing a full home makeover, adding stylish fireplace doors is one of the quickest ways to take your space from meh to wow. So go ahead, take those measurements, pick out the perfect doors, and get ready to cozy up in style!

If you have any questions or need guidance, don't hesitate to reach out! I'm here to help, or you can speak with the fireplace experts at Fireplace Doors Online. Their team is ready to assist you in finding the perfect solution for your fireplace needs. Get the answers you need and elevate your fireplace experience today!

How To Measure For Fireplace Glass Doors