Complete Guide to Replacing a Wood Stove Glass

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Are you faced with a damaged wood stove or fireplace insert glass? You are in the right place to find reliable and effective solutions.

If you're using a traditional wood or pellet heater, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, from diagnosis to repair.

Our company Vitreflam specializes in wood stove and fireplace insert glass.
We use Neoceram windows, one of the best types of glass ceramic on the market, chosen by renowned brands such as Godin, Philippe, Invicta and Turbo Fonte, this material offers unrivaled clarity and strength.

With our intuitive window selection module, find the window perfectly suited to your device in just a few clicks, from an extensive range compatible with more than 600 models. Our options for self-adhesive fiberglass braid seals guarantee a perfect seal, for optimal combustion and safety:

Our manufacturing workshops, located in France, take particular care in cutting your glass, as well as shaping its edges, guaranteeing an impeccable finish.

Thanks to our expertise, you will be assured of a professional and tailor-made cutting service adapted to your requirements:

With our tailor-made packaging and trusted transport partners, you can also benefit from express delivery to your home.

Now, let's dive into the details to understand why the glass of a wood stove or insert can break and how to remedy it effectively and quickly.

Why can the glass of a wood stove break?

Common causes of breakage and professional advice.

The glass of a wood stove can break for various reasons:

Domestic accidents, or natural wear and tear on your heating appliance.
It is also possible that the window fixings were fitted too tight.

This can cause cracking or breakage due to expansion caused by the heat of the stove. It is therefore important to keep this in mind, if you decide to reassemble the glass of your wood stove, or insert a fireplace yourself.

A blackened wood stove glass can weaken and impact the strength of the glass of your wood stove or fireplace insert.

How to prevent the glass of your wood stove from blackening?

To prevent the glass of your wood stove from blackening, several factors must be taken into account:

Air circulation : Make sure there is enough air circulating near the windows. Leave space between the wood and the glass and check that the stove's air inlets are properly adjusted.
Quality of the print : a poor print can cause the glass to darken. Make sure the duct is clean and properly sized.
Fuel quality : firewood or pellets, it is important to choose dry wood with humidity less than 20%. In addition, choosing dry wood and quality pellets will promote clean, ecological and economical combustion.

Simple and regular maintenance will long-term extend the longevity of your heating appliances.

Consequences of a broken window.

A broken window can obviously cause significant safety and fire risks for your home:

A wood stove or fireplace insert glass with even a small crack can cause heat loss and increase your energy bills.
As cracks have an unfortunate tendency to spread, we can only advise you to take action.

What to do in case of broken window? What order of priority?

Contact your insurance.
It is possible to make significant savings by checking whether your home insurance covers this type of loss. The procedures may vary depending on the contracts.

Call a professional.
If you are not comfortable with manual work, it is best to call on a professional, covered by your professional insurance. Costs may vary, but safety is essential.

Who can replace a wood stove window?

If you are good with your hands, you can also do it yourself by following specific instructions. Follow the leader !

Who can replace an insert window?

Regarding inserts, it is best to call on specialist services as the procedure may differ slightly from that of a traditional wood stove.

Guide to the steps for replacing the glass on your wood stove:

For any handling, first ensure that the stove is completely turned off and cooled down.

A little pro tip: before trying to remove the glass from your wood stove or fireplace insert, it is advisable to unhook the door from its hinges. To do this, start by opening the door 90° and carefully lift it.

You will be able to place it flat on a stable surface and at the right height:

- Being comfortably seated will make your task much easier to safely follow the next steps in cleaning and replacing the wood stove glass.

Materials needed

To replace the glass yourself, you will need some basic tools:

a pair of gloves.
a suitable wrench, a screwdriver, a pair of scissors and a vacuum cleaner.
Your new window, delivered with a new seal!

Dismantling of the window fixing elements.

Carefully remove broken glass if necessary using a vacuum cleaner.
Start by unscrewing the window screws using the appropriate wrench.
If you notice that the screws are blocked or simply worn, a wood stove or insert glass cleaner, or even an oven cleaner should be sufficient.
The window is held in place by metal parts, called fixed window panes. Remove them, carefully take out the broken window.

Replacement of the window seal.

Clean the window frame of all traces of glue, old putty, and the seal to be replaced. Use a flat screwdriver. Vacuum the residue so that the surface is clean.
Take care to follow your user manual, some loading door window cleaning products use soda-based products in their compositions, which are very effective for cleaning blackened windows, but which could weaken the seals with the time.
Install the new gasket to ensure a tight seal. Use your pair of scissors to cut the joint to the right size.
A seal of width and type adapted to your stove model will be offered to you when ordering the glass for your wood stove.
Our self-adhesive fiberglass braid seals can be glued directly to the glass for better adhesion.
Depending on the type of joint installed, it may be necessary to respect an installation time. Refer to its instructions for use.
Finally ! Place the new window carefully in its frame and retighten the screws without overtightening them.

Warning : if you have chosen a self-cleaning window, please check the user manual. Installation and maintenance instructions may vary.

How to correctly measure the glass of your wood stove?

To measure the glass of your wood stove, it is important to take into account the current condition of the glass: is it broken or simply cracked?

If the window is broken.

Measure the inside of the door frame : Use a tape measure to take the dimensions inside the door frame.
Subtract 6mm from the measurements : subtract 6mm from the height and length to obtain the exact dimensions of the new window.
Example : if the frame measures 700x500mm, the size of the new window should be 694x494mm.

If the window is only cracked.

Measure the window directly: use a tape measure to measure the height and width of the window in millimeters.

Use our window selection module and order now for express, breakage-free delivery!

Replacing the glass of a wood stove or fireplace insert is not just a question of aesthetics or comfort. Above all, it is an essential security measure for your home. This task can be done yourself, if you are well informed and prepared. This complete guide will help you calmly approach the essential steps of replacing the glass of your heating appliance.