How To Replace Your Stove Glass

The video above provides step-by-step guidance on how to replace your stove glass and seals, along with helpful tips to prevent glass breakage. An additional video below—without commentary—demonstrates a full clean, teardown, and replacement of the stove glass and seals.

 

Over time, the glass on your wood-burning stove may become cracked, damaged, or even shattered. Replacing it is essential not only for maintaining the stove’s efficiency but also for ensuring your safety. Follow these steps to replace your glass correctly.

Turn off your stove and let it cool completely to avoid burns or injuries during the replacement process.

Step 2: Remove The Door (If Possible)

If your stove design allows, remove the door to simplify the glass replacement process. Depending on your model, this may involve unscrewing the hinges or lifting the door up and off its hinges. If the door cannot be removed, you can still perform the replacement while it’s attached.

Step 3: Protecting The Door

If you've removed the door, lay it on a soft surface such as a blanket or towel. This precaution prevents scratches or damage while you work on the glass.

Step 4: Removing Fixings

Check to see if the fixing clips holding the glass in place are held using bolts or screw fixings. Use the appropriate tool (screwdriver or socket set) to remove them.

• Tip: Keep track of each fixing’s location for reassembly.
• Note: Over time, screws and bolts may seize. If you encounter resistance, apply penetrating oil and try again. One customer found that placing the empty chuck (no drill bit inserted) of a hammer drill on medium hammer setting for 15–20 seconds helped loosen the bolts through vibration.
• If these methods do not work, consider visiting a machine shop to have seized fixings removed or replaced. In the worst case, the existing fixings can be drilled out and the holes can be re tapped.
  

Step 5: Removing The Glass

Carefully remove the old glass from the door. If the glass is cracked or shattered, be cautious to avoid any sharp edges.

Step 6: Checking Rope And Seals

Examine the seals around the glass and door. If they appear frayed or overly hardened, they will require replacement. Note that some discoloration and flattening is normal with regular use and doesn't necessarily mean the seal is damaged. However, if the seal has flattened to the extent that an air gap is forming, it should be replaced.

Types of Seals:

• Round Rope Seal: Sits in a groove behind the glass.
• Flat Bedding Seal: Forms a border around the edge of the glass

The stove in the above image uses a flat seal which provides cushioning on both sides of the glass.

To replace worn or damaged seals, remove the old rope or seal and clean any old glue and debris from the surface it sat on. 

• Replacing a Round Rope Seal:
  • Apply a generous amount of glue into the groove or onto the fixing surface.
  • Press the new rope into place, ensuring the joint (where the ends meet) is aligned in the middle of the lower door edge. Our full range of rope seals can be found here. 
    
• Replacing a Flat Self-Adhesive Seal:
  • Remove the old seal and clean off any residue.
  • Peel off the backing from the new seal and carefully apply it along the edge of the glass, forming a U-shaped profile for cushioning on both sides.
    For more detailed guidance, check out our video demonstration here and our full range of replacement flat seals here.

Step 7: Clean The Door

Thoroughly clean the door to remove any debris, dust, and old adhesive. A clean surface ensures a strong bond for new seals and provides a smooth base for the glass. For best results, mix a mild detergent with warm water and use a non-abrasive sponge or soft-bristled brush to wipe the surface clean. For stubborn areas, a wire brush can provide a more thorough cleaning, although be careful not to damage the door. Additionally, a plastic scraper can be used to gently lift any persistent adhesive. Finally, dry the door with a lint-free cloth to prepare it for the next steps.

Step 8: Measure The Glass

 Measure the dimensions of your old glass carefully and choose a replacement that matches both its size and thickness. If you need guidance, our measurement guide is available here. If you know your stove’s make and model, you can browse our full range of glass options here or use the search bar on our site.  We always recommend double-checking your measurements against the product listing to ensure you select the correct model. Alternatively, you can order glass cut to size here.

Step 9: Install The New Glass

Carefully place the new glass into the door, making sure it fits correctly and is centered. Ideally you will want 1-2mm of clearance between the edge of the glass and the upstanding edge of the metal surround that it fits into. The glass expands slightly during heating, so a tight fit will cause the glass to expand into the metalwork and lead to cracking or breakage.

Step 10: Secure The Glass

Reinstall the fixing clips and tighten the screws or bolts that were removed earlier to secure the glass. Tighten them only to a finger-tight level; overtightening might pinch the glass, causing it to crack during heating. If the fixings felt very tight when you removed the glass, it’s likely due to them seizing over time rather than being initially over-tightened. It’s essential that the glass can expand and contract without restriction. For easier removal in the future, consider coating the threads of the screws or bolts with copper grease.

Step 11: Reattach The Door

If you removed the door during the process, carefully reattach it to the stove, ensuring it is properly aligned and secured.

Step 12: Test The Installation

Finally, light a small fire in the stove to ensure that the new glass is properly sealed and functioning.

Replacing the glass on your wood burning stove is a straightforward process that can be done with the right tools and a bit of care. By following these steps, you can ensure that your stove is operating efficiently and safely for many years to come.