This is a question we hear a lot. Pyroceram, Neoceram, Robax, Tempered glass? The answer will depend a lot on the style you have. There are many different types of fireplaces and wood stoves that use a wide variety of different glasses. This article will help you decide what type you have and how to order. There are only a few simple questions you need to answer in order to do so.
– 1st – Do you have a fireplace or wood stove? If you know the answer to that question, continue down. If you’re not sure, let’s take a look at each one. Most fireplaces have 2 or more doors on the front. As for wood burning stoves, they usually have only one door. Most wood stoves seal the door with a fire gasket. A fiberglass material that makes a tight seal when the door is closed. There are also fireplace inserts, which are more or less wood stoves that slide into a masonry fireplace. The idea is to make your fireplace, wood stove or insert as efficient as possible while still offering a beautiful view of the fire.
– 2nd – Now that you know what type of gas / wood burner you have. What type of glass does it currently contain? Let’s assume the OEM glass is in the unit. When the original glass broke, did it break into a million little pieces or did it break into larger “chunks” of glass? If the glass broke into a million pieces, then it is a tempered glass. For more information on tempered glass, click here.
If the glass just cracked or broke into larger pieces, then it is known as a glass ceramic. Commonly known as PyroCeram® (not Pyroceran), Robax, or Neoceram. Only different brands for the same type of product. On this site we use the term PyroCeram®. For more information on PyroCeram®, click here.
– 3rd – What type of heat does your unit emit? Is it a gas unit, using natural gas or propane? A wood stove that just for looks. Or an airtight wood burner that produces over 600 degrees?
If it’s a gas unit, you generally use tempered glass. Although gas units turn off heat, the high end of the heat against glass is less than 400 degrees. The tempered glass in these units is usually a light tint. If you have a masonry fireplace. A fireplace built into the house with brick and mortar. They may have a set of fireplace doors applied to the opening. These types of fireplaces are not very efficient and do not generate heat well above 400 degrees. At least not for an extended period of time. The glass in this type of door system is usually tempered.
If you have an airtight 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 fire in the home. Pyroceram glass has an amber tint. If you have a high-efficiency fireplace. This is a fireplace that is not airtight, but has an 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 you are unsure about any of the above options, there are still a couple of ways to find out. Look in your owner’s manual. It should tell you what type of glass was supplied. Contact the company you got it from. They should know the different types and can advise you. Or just email us and give us as much information as you can. Mark, size, wood or gas, and take a photo and attach it. We’ve seen most of the types out there and we should be able to tell you what you need. I’m not sure yet. Then replace it with Pyroceram. This will cover all the bases. It can be used in all the applications that we have covered.