Zero Clearance Fireplace Doors

What is a Zero Clearance Fireplace?

Zero clearance fireplaces (also called prefabricated and factory-built fireplaces) are metal fireboxes made in a factory and shipped to a home to be installed.  They are called zero clearance fireplaces because there doesn’t have to be any space between the firebox and combustible materials.

Zero clearance fireplaces often come with refractory panels lining the firebox.  These are often designed to have the look of real brick, but if you touch them, you’ll realize immediately that they are not.

So what if your fireplace isn’t prefab?  Then you have a masonry fireplace.  These fireplaces are made of brick or stone and require different doors than prefab fireplaces.  Take a look at this video for more information on masonry vs. prefab fireplaces.

Zero clearance fireplaces accept inside fit doors.  These doors will fit just inside the firebox and be flush with the surround.  Because they have to fit inside the firebox, zero clearance fireplace doors have to be custom built for you.  On the lower end of the price range, the doors can just be custom-sized.  However, if you pay a little extra, you can customize additional features like the frame finish, tint of the glass, and more.

1. Find your manufacturer

All prefab fireplace doors are manufactured.  Usually that manufacturer will stamp a small metal label onto each model so you know who manufactured it and what model it is.  This label could be on the outside of the fireplace or inside the firebox.

All the doors on this page are our most general doors for those who can’t find their fireplace’s manufacturer.  If you do find your manufacturer, you’ll want to shop by brand.  This gives you a greater level of specificity.

Shop by Brand

2. Measure your firebox

You’ll need to measure the height and width of your firebox.  Make sure you measure from metal to metal; don’t measure from one side of the surround to the other.  If possible, send us pictures of your measurements.  You’ll also need to measure the depth of your firebox opening.  We want to ensure your frame will be flush with the surround.

3. Watch out for difficult surrounds

Sometimes your fireplace will have a surround that protrudes slightly into the firebox opening.  This means that if you order a door to fit the firebox perfectly, you might not be able to get it to fit since the surround is in the way.  In this case, you could remove the part of the surround that is in the way or order a slightly smaller door.  Watch this video with one of our experts here at Brick-Anew walking you through the whole process step by step with examples.

I hope this article helps you choose a perfect zero clearance door for your fireplace.  Want more information?  Check out some of these articles.

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