Frequently Asked Questions

Tempered glass is simply glass that has been heated in a furnace and then quickly cooled. This process increases the strength of the glass and the ability of the glass to withstand the high temperatures associated with a fireplace. The average thermal shock rating (the temperature at which the structural integrity of the glass will fail and shatter) is between 400 - 600 degrees Fahrenheit. This is usually sufficient for most wood and gas fireplaces.  If you choose tempered glass, be sure to keep the fire at least 6" away from the glass. 

If you live in a cold region where you burn your fire hot you probably want to upgrade to neoceramic glass.

Neoceramic glass can tolerate continuous temperatures up to 1292 Degrees Fahrenheit- nearly 3 times the heat resistance of tempered glass.  This far exceeds any fire you would want in your fireplace.  Neoceramic glass does not have the structural integrity of tempered glass, so for aluminum doors tempered glass is recommended whereas with Ironhaus steel doors, neoceram glass is a good match.

A picture says a thousand words.  See descriptions below to choose your masonry Elite fireplace door fit.  If you still have questions, email customerservice@ironhaus.com with a photo of your fireplace attached.  Our sales team can help you determine the best fireplace door application for your masonry fireplace.  For a complete quote as well, include your fireplace's measurements of the opening to the nearest 1/8" (left side height, right side height, center height, top width, bottom width).

Overlap Fit is the most common.  Choose this when the fireplace door is larger than the opening and the door can overlap brick, stone, etc.  For overlap fit, expect the door to be 1 1/2" higher and 3" wider than your fireplace measurements.

Inside Fit is needed if you have rough or protruding brick and you need the fireplace door to fit inside the opening.  Therefore, it will be flush against the stone or brick.  For inside fit, expect the door height and width to equal your fireplace measurements.

There are four standard texture levels (all Handcrafted!):

• Burnished is mostly a fire of markings other than the grain of the steel.  This is a common choice for contemporary and modern applications.  As well as for those who want a smooth face.
• Hammered is an intermediate texture between distressed and burnished.  It has a few random hammer markings and is a popular choice for those looking for a softer and less rustic feel but still has a handcrafted element.  It also offers a distressed feel but with out the extra cost.
• Distressed is a hand distressed texture with lots of detail and rustic/old age feel.  This is our most popular texture.
• Peened is a very heavy and deep peen texture typical of ancient European and Medieval influence.  It is very labor intensive, and as all of our finishes is not production machine applied or 'stamped'.  It tends to reveal a great deal of contrasts, lebels and nuances typical of deep forge work.

Yes, this is a common request with designers and homeowners.  A swatch is sometimes required but we also have common matches to companies like Rocky Mountain Hardware and others.  There is usually an extra charge involved.

Due to individual computer monitor limitations, the finish samples may not accurately reflect finish colors and textures.  All finishes are handcrafted resulting in variations from one piece to another, as in all great artwork.  Please contact us if you would like us to send a sample chip to you so you can confirm your finish choice.

These finishes require a significant amount of hand application to achieve their effect and have several 'layers' of patina.  In essence, it takes more time and effort to achieve these finishes.

Soapy water is best (hand or dish soap).  You never want to use Windex, the ammonia in it will etch the glass.

A chase is an enclosure (wood or stone) surrounding the exhaust vent.  In most cases outside the home on the roof.

An insert is designed to be installed into an existing masonry fireplace.  A fireplace is designed to be installed into new construction (framing).

Your Ironhaus fireplace should be professionally installed by a certified technician to ensure its safety and proper performance.  The safety of your home and family depends on fully understanding and carrying out the critical manufacturer and building code requirements.  Please see if there is an authorized Ironhaus dealer and installer in your area by visiting our Dealer Locations page. 

If there is no dealer in your area another option is to use servicemagic.  Servicemagic matches homeowners with prescreened top-rated professionals in your area.  These contractors have to go through a 10-step screening process to ensure they are licensed, insured, have a good business standing, no criminal records, no civil legal judgments against them, no liens, and identity verification.  Servicemagic offers a service guarantee that the project will run smoothly.  Ironhaus has no affiliation with servicemagic.  

It is not uncommon for us to customize every hearth application within a home.
Some great uses are:

• In the Great Room:

The Big Sky wood fireplace or The Yellowstone with our award winning Pocket Door enclosure for maximum "wow" factor.

• Outside Deck

The Wilderness wood fireplace (use gas logs as a realistic option).

• Master Bedroom

The Selway Direct Vent.

• Family Room

The Selway or Yellowstone

See our gallery for other ideas - incorporate a central architectural detail, i.e: "the craftsman" in each room for each different fireplace system.

Yes, within design detail and not within stuctural elements. Contact your dealer with ideas. Many people incorporate their family crest, a view out of a scenic window, or some architectural detail within their home. Have fun and be creative. That's what we are all about.

Most of our finishes will last many years as long as care is taken in their use. Be careful not to build extremely hot or "flash" fires as they can impact the toughest of finishes. No corrosive cleaners or agents to clean rock, etc., during construction should be used either. Ironhaus finishes are "living" finishes made like the finishes on bronze statues and they may age gracefully over time. This actually creates more character and is consistent with the ambiance of our fireplace products.

Our fireplace doors are easily installed with just a few common tools and by any handyman. Many of our customers elect to use their local dealers to do this, though, and it is often worth the cost to have a professional see it through for you. Our gas and wood fireplaces should be installed by a qualified installer.

Our fireplace systems are among the highest quality engineered designs available. Our focus is not to be the biggest, but, the best.

Ironhaus produces a high-end line of gas and wood fireplaces with emphasis on handcrafted faces. We also provide glass and mesh enclosures for real masonry fireplaces.

The standing pilot system is a self-contained millivolt system. You do not need a 110 volt AC power source to operate the fireplace or stove. The millivolt model will operate during a power outage.  An electronic ignition saves you money by saving on fuel consumption since there is no standing pilot.  All Ironhaus electronic ignition fireplaces offer battery backup systems in order to heat your home if there is a power outage.

First off, in order to answer this correctly, there are several types of screens:

Freestanding screens; set in front of a fireplace.  Measure inside of fireplace opening; let Ironhaus know how much you would like the screen to overlap the opening sides and top.

Hanging Curtain Screens; not offered by Ironhaus.

Ironhaus Fireplace Doors with Mesh; Ironhaus fireplace doors can be designed with glass or mesh/screen doors.  To measure, measure inside of opening where you would like doors to be placed (remember to use the smallest point of measurement).  Round to the closest 1/8".

If you are interested in arch doors for an existing fireplace, you may need to provide a template along with the measurements (center height, side height and width).  For a rectangular shape door, provide a height and width.  You will also need to decide if you want an inside fit or outside fit.  Please review the attached Elite Specs to understand how inside or outside fit works.

Still have questions?  Call Ironhaus toll free 866-880-0900 to talk to a fireplace door expert.

Ironhaus requires that FMI venting pipe be used.  It can be purchased through Ironhaus or an FMI dealer or retailer.

A log lighter is a gas pipe line run through the bottom of the wood fireplace's firebox.  Much like a gas grill, you turn on the gas and light it.  This produces a flame which will light the wood in the firebox.  Once lighted, you turn off the gas to the log lighter and enjoy your fire.

For best results (less smoke, more heat), good dry wood is always best.  Wood with a higher moisture content will cause creosote to build up in the pipe and fireplace.

For most woodburning fireplaces, 12 inch pipe.  To purchase, visit our Woodburning Venting Pipe page under Fireplace Accessories.

Yes, in many cases this is possible.  To make sure, at time of installation you will want to have a gas line run into the firebox with a shut off valve in the wall within 2 feet of the firebox.

The fan will help circulate the heat, but not increase the efficiency.  All Ironhaus fireplaces are insulated and have either real firebrick or refractory panels which help radiate more heat. 

The glass doors can radiate more heat.  In wood burning fireplaces, glass doors also keep your warm air in the home in the winter and cool air in the summer.

A zero clearance fireplace means that you are able to have combustibles (framing) right up against the sides and back of the fireplace.

Ironhaus requires that FMI venting pipe be used.  It can be purchased through Ironhaus or an FMI dealer or retailer.

All batteries should be Alkaline.  See below for specific batteries needed for Ironhaus gas fireplaces.  Almost all fireplaces are available with a millivolt ignition or an electronic ignition system.

With a millivolt ignition system no electricity is required.  There will be a standing pilot light when the fireplace is operational:

• The Selway requires a 9-Volt Alkaline battery for the remote receiver and remote.
• The Summit also requires a 9-Volt Alkaline battery for the remote receiver and remote.

An electronic ignition system requires the presence of 120V for pilot ignition. These units do not utilize standing pilots:

• The Yellowstone has an electronic ignition but a 12V battery is required for the remote (comes included).
• The Gallatin has an electronic ignition but uses 4 AA batteries for the remote receiver and 2 D batteries for the AC backup battery pack (so your fireplace can operate in a power outage).
• The Sawtooth B-Vent has an electronic ignition; it uses 2 D batteries for the AC backup battery pack (so your fireplace heats your home in a power outage); 4 AA batteries for the remote receiver; 3 AA batteries for the hand held remote.

Yes.  The Sawtooth is the only fireplace we offer that comes with a remote, so you will need to add a remote to the other gas fireplace purchases.  Check out the different gas fireplace remotes available on the Fireplace Accessories page. 

For most gas units (direct vent) 5/8 in. pipe.  To purchase, visit Gas Venting Pipe under Fireplace Accessories.

A Direct Vent gas fireplace uses a coaxial pipe for venting of the exhaust gases and the intake of combustion air.  A B-Vent gas fireplace uses a single chamber pipe for exhaust gases only and uses the room's air for combustion air.

Fireplaces heat output is measured by BTUs/Hour.  There are many factors that go into choosing the correct fireplace with right heat output.  It depends on your home's insulation, construction, number of windows and area climate.  Generally in older homes, plan for between 5 and 6 BTUs per cubic foot of air space being heated. In newer homes with tighter construction, plan for about 4 BTUs.

Click on this BTU calculator to get an estimate of your heating needs by room or house.

It depends on your local codes.  Check with your city or county planning division.

Yes, if you have a millivolt gas valve.  The flame will still work although if it has a blower, it will not operate.

If you have a fireplace with electronic ignition, it will not work.  Although some fireplaces have a battery back up so they will heat your home in the event of a power outage. (such as the Sawtooth or Gallatin)

The fan will help circulate the heat, but not increase the efficiency.  All Ironhaus fireplaces are insulated and have either real firebrick or refractory panels which help radiate more heat. 

The glass doors can radiate more heat.  In wood burning fireplaces, glass doors also keep your warm air in the home in the winter and cool air in the summer.

A zero clearance fireplace means that you are able to have combustibles (framing) right up against the sides and back of the fireplace.

Unfortunately, no.  The benefit of a standing pilot is that it operates during a power failure. 

If you need an electronic ignition fireplace, Ironhaus offers several types of gas fireplaces: Yellowstone, Sawtooth, and Gallatin.

Yes (if you have an Ironhaus gas fireplace).  But it must be a Versafire gas log set.