Whether you’re looking to clean the inside of your fireplace, wipe the unsightly soot from the glass doors that surround it, or simply replace the dated doors altogether to give your space a refresh or replace them with a fireplace screen, odds are, you’ll need to remove your fireplace doors at some point during their lifespan.
While these doors may seem complicated, there are safe, simple ways to remove them that can ensure the job is painless and that no glass gets broken in the process. So, skip the call to the handyman and learn how to remove your own fireplace doors.
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.
If dealing with glass doors, prepare a safe spot to place the doors once removed. If you’re removing the doors in order to clean them, gather any cleaning supplies, such as a shop vac and fireplace glass cleaner, as well as any tools you may need for your particular doors.
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.
Turn off gas supplies beforehand to prevent potential carbon monoxide exposure and risk of fire. For traditional wood-burning fireplaces, remove any hot embers after extinguishing flames, and allow the fireplace surround and doors to fully cool before handling.
Source: The Spruce
