This is a question we hear a lot. Pyroceram, Neoceram, Robax, Tempered glass? The answer will very depending on the style you have. There are many different types of fireplaces and wood stoves that use a wide variety of different glass. This article will help you to decide which type you have and how to order it. There are just a few simple questions you need to answer in order to do so.
– 1st – Do you have a fireplace or a wood stove? If you know the answer to that question then move on down. If your not sure then lets take a look at each one. Most fireplaces have 2 or more doors on the front. Where as for wood stoves they typically have just one door. Most wood stoves seal at the door with a fire-gasket. A fiberglass material that makes a air tight seal when the door is closed. There are also fireplace inserts, which are pretty much wood stoves slid into a masonry fireplace. The idea is to make your fireplace, wood stove or insert as efficient as possible while still providing a beautiful view of the fire.
– 2nd – Now that you know what type of gas/wood burner you have. What kind of glass is currently in it? We are going to assume that the original manufacturer glass is in the unit. When the original glass broke, did it break in a million little pieces or did it break in larger “chunks” of glass. If the glass broke in a million pieces then is a tempered glass. To learn more about Tempered glass click here.
If the glass just cracked, or broke out if bigger chunks then it is know as a glass-ceramic. Commonly know as PyroCeram®(not Pyroceran), Robax or Neoceram. Just different brand names for the same type of product. On this site we use the term PyroCeram®. To learn more about PyroCeram® click here.
– 3rd – What kind of heat does your unit put out? Is it a gas unit, using natural gas or propane? A wood burner that just for looks. Or a Air tight wood burner that produces over 600 degrees?
If it is a gas unit, then it typically uses tempered glass. All though gas units do put out heat, the top end of the heat against the glass is less then 400 degrees. The tempered glass in these units is usually of a clear tint. If you have a masonry fireplace. A fireplace built in the home with brick and mortar. They can have a set of fireplace doors applied to the opening. These type of fireplaces are not very efficient and do not generate heat much higher than 400 degrees. At least not for any extended period of time. The glass in these types of door systems are typically tempered.
If you have an air tight wood stove or insert. These units can generate up to 1200 degrees and are very efficient. The glass in these units must be Pyroceram. Using any other type of glass will cause the glass to fail and could cause a home fire. Pyroceram glass has an amber tint in color. If you have a high efficiency fireplace. This is a fire place that is not air tight, but has a adjustable damper that allows you to control and slow down the fire to burn more efficiently and generate more heat. These units generally supply heat in the 600-1000 degree temperature range and need to use Pyroceram glass.
– Lastly – If your not sure about any of the above, there are still a couple of ways to find out. Look in your owners manual. It should tell your what type of glass was supplied. Contact the company you got it from. They should be aware of the different types and can advise you. Or just send us an email and give us as much info as you can. Brand name, size, wood or gas, and take a picture and attach it. We have seen most of the types out there and should be able to tell you what you need. Still not sure. Then replace it with Pyroceram. This will cover all the bases. It is able to be used in all the applications that we have covered.