Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Ask Mike

This is a list a questions that we hear a lot from our customers.  But as always, you can contact us directly for more information. 

Question #1

Q:  What types of glass are best for wood stoves, fireplaces, and pellet stoves (e.g., ceramic, Pyroceram, Neoceram, Robax)?

A:  The best type of glass for a wood stove, fireplace, or pellet stove can vary quite a bit. If it's a high-temperature application, like a wood stove or a pellet stove, you definitely want to use what we generically call ceramic glass. And basically, there's just different brands of ceramic glass. Pyroceram, Neoceram, Robax, and Pyro-glass. These are different brand names for this type of glass.

 Basically, this glass can withstand temperatures up to about 1,400 degrees. It has a slightly amber tint to the glass, which is how you know that it is a ceramic glass product. If you held a piece of white paper behind it, you'd be able to see that tint. This type of glass is not any stronger than normal windowpane glass. Like if you hit it with a rock or something, it's going to break. But it can just withstand these high temperatures.

Some fireplaces use this glass, too. But generally, it's a high-temperature, airtight type of fireplace. Some fireplaces, the fireplaces that have floppy doors, like bi-fold doors, that you see in a lot of new-build construction homes, track homes, spec houses, those types of fireplaces typically use tempered glass. Tempered glass can only withstand up to about 400 degrees. And that's because these fireplaces are not designed to create heat to heat the home. They're just designed to have a pretty fire to look at.

Q: What type of glass should I use for my wood stove, fireplace, or pellet stove?

A: The right type of glass depends on your appliance and how it’s used:

• High-temperature applications — such as wood stoves, pellet stoves, and airtight fireplaces — require ceramic glass. This specialized glass can withstand temperatures up to about 1,400°F. It’s sold under brand names like Pyroceram, Neoceram, Robax, and Pyroglass. You can recognize ceramic glass by its slightly amber tint—if you hold a piece of white paper behind it, the warm tint becomes noticeable. While it’s highly heat-resistant, ceramic glass is not stronger than regular window glass—it will still break if struck.
• Decorative fireplaces — such as many new-build construction fireplaces with bifold “floppy” doors — typically use tempered glass. This type is designed for fireplaces meant for ambiance, not heating. Tempered glass can only handle temperatures up to about 400°F and is not suitable for wood or pellet stoves.

Key takeaway: If your stove or fireplace is meant to produce heat, you almost certainly need ceramic glass. If it’s purely for looks, tempered glass may be what you have.

 

Question #2

How do ceramic glass and tempered glass differ, and which one is best for my fireplace?
Compare temperature tolerance, cost, safety, and ideal use cases.

Ceramic glass and tempered glass are different in several different ways. Ceramic glass can handle much higher temperatures, up to about 1400 degrees. Tempered glass can withstand up to about 400 to 450 degrees. And they're also made in different ways.

 

 To determine which one's best for your fireplace, you really need to know what your fireplace is designed for. If it's an airtight unit, and if it's made to produce high heat to help heat your room or your house, then most likely you need ceramic glass. If it's just a fireplace with the bi-fold floppy doors, and it's designed just to have a pretty view of the fire, most likely it's tempered glass.

Ceramic glass is about twice as expensive as tempered glass. And one of the easiest ways to determine which glass you have is if the glass is broken. Ceramic glass breaks in big chunks or just cracks. And when tempered glass breaks, it breaks like a car window. It shatters in a million little pieces. And it's considered a safety glass because of that reason.

The two types of glass are made completely different too. Ceramic glass has a chemical called borite in it that keeps the molecules from expanding and contracting. It's added to the glass melt and then it's poured into a vat and vibrated to get the bubbles out, making it completely flat. Then any excess is trimmed off.

Tempered glass is made by taking regular, what they call annealed glass, cutting it to the size that is needed, putting it in an oven and baking it very fast and then cooling it very fast and it tempers it or basically locks the molecules in place.

Q: What’s the best type of glass for my wood stove, fireplace, or pellet stove, and how does ceramic glass differ from tempered glass?

A: The right glass depends on your appliance’s design and how it’s used:

1. Heat Tolerance & Applications

• Ceramic glass (brands include Pyroceram, Neoceram, Robax, and Pyroglass) can withstand temperatures up to 1,400°F. It’s ideal for wood stoves, pellet stoves, and airtight, high-efficiency fireplaces that produce significant heat to help warm your room or home.

• Tempered glass is rated for 400–450°F. It’s used in decorative fireplaces—such as those with bifold “floppy” doors—designed mainly for visual appeal rather than heating.

2. Cost Difference

• Ceramic glass is typically about twice as expensive as tempered glass due to its specialized heat-resistant composition.

3. How to Identify Your Glass Type

• Break pattern:

  • Ceramic glass cracks or breaks into large chunks.

  • Tempered glass shatters into tiny pieces (like a car window), making it a type of safety glass.

• Color tint: Ceramic glass usually has a slight amber hue—hold white paper behind it to see the tint. Tempered glass is generally clear.

4. How They’re Made

• Ceramic glass: Contains borite, which prevents expansion and contraction under heat. It’s created by melting the glass mixture, pouring it into a mold, vibrating it to remove bubbles, flattening it, and trimming any excess.

• Tempered glass: Starts as standard annealed glass, cut to size, then heated rapidly and cooled quickly to “lock” the molecules in place, increasing strength but limiting its heat tolerance.

Bottom line:

• If your stove or fireplace produces heat, you almost certainly need ceramic glass.

• If it’s purely decorative, tempered glass is the better (and less expensive) choice.

 

Question #3

What is the difference between Robax, Pyroceram, and Neoceram glass?

The difference between Robax's Pyroceram and Neoceram and Pyro-Glass is just they're different manufacturers for the same basic product that we generically call ceramic glass. The properties of the glass, their tension points, the breakage, and the temperature ratings are all very similar anywhere from 1,280 degrees up to 1,400 degrees.

One of the other important facts to know is all of these brands are produced in 3/16"inch and 1/8" inch thicknesses.

Some people say that they notice a difference in the soot residue buildup on the glass when they're burning. Depending on brand to brand, that's not true. It has more to do with what you're burning and how you're burning it.

Here at Total Hearth, we prefer to use Brand Pryo-glass, because it's handled through Corning, which is a U.S.-based company and then process here in the USA.

Q: What’s the difference between Robax, Pyroceram, Neoceram, and Pyro-Glass?

A: These are different brand names for the same basic product—what’s generically called ceramic glass. They share nearly identical properties, including:

• Heat tolerance: Rated from 1,280°F up to 1,400°F, making them suitable for wood stoves, pellet stoves, and high-efficiency fireplaces.

• Breakage characteristics: All break and crack in similar ways and have comparable tension points.

• Available thicknesses: Produced in 1/8" and 3/16" thicknesses across brands.

• Soot buildup: Any difference in soot residue from one brand to another is a myth—soot levels depend on what you burn and how you burn it, not on the glass brand.

Total-Hearth preference:
We use Pyro-Glass, which is handled through Corning, a U.S.-based company, and processed here in the USA. This ensures consistent quality and supports domestic manufacturing.

Bottom line: Robax, Pyroceram, Neoceram, and Pyro-Glass all perform the same in high-heat applications—brand choice often comes down to sourcing, availability, and personal preference.

Question #4

Can I get custom-cut glass for my stove or fireplace? What do I need to know?

Information on ordering, lead times, and non-refundable policies for custom tempered glass.

Of course, you can get custom-cut ceramic glass or custom-cut tempered glass. We specialize in that here at Total Hearth.

The best thing to do is get very accurate measurements of your existing glass, if possible. If the existing glass is not available, first determine whether you need ceramic glass or tempered glass for your application. Those questions are easily found here on our site.

But if the glass is missing, the rule of thumb is to deduct 3/8”of an inch from the tight frame size that the glass is held in. So if the tight measurement of the cavity the glass is in is 12 inches, you would deduct 3/8” from the overall measurement and have that glass cut at 11 2/8”.

 Custom-cut Ceramic glass still goes out the same day or next day, depending on what time it's ordered. Tempered glass takes about 7 to 10 days to process because the glass has to be cut and then tempered. And that tempering process takes the 7 to 10 days. The glass has to be heated and then cooled and then heated and cooled to temper. Keep in mind that all custom-cut pieces are non-refundable because that glass is made specifically for you at the measurements that you provide.

Q: Can I get custom-cut ceramic glass or tempered glass for my stove or fireplace?

A: Yes! At Total-Hearth, we specialize in custom-cut ceramic glass and custom-cut tempered glass to fit your exact needs.

1. Measuring for a Perfect Fit

• Best method: Measure your existing glass as accurately as possible.
• If the glass is missing:
1. Determine whether your unit needs ceramic glass or tempered glass (see our other FAQs for guidance).
2. Measure the tight cavity where the glass sits, then deduct 3/8" from each dimension.
• Example: If the tight frame opening is 12", deduct 3/8" and order your glass at 11 5/8".

2. Production & Shipping Times

• Custom-cut ceramic glass: Ships same day or next day (depending on order time).
• Custom-cut tempered glass: Takes 7–10 business days because it must be cut first, then tempered through a heat-and-cool process for strength and safety.

3. Important Note

• All custom-cut glass orders are non-refundable—each piece is made to the exact measurements you provide.

Bottom line: Accurate measurements are critical to getting a perfect fit, and we can provide either ceramic or tempered glass depending on your stove or fireplace type.

 

Question #5

When and how should I replace my wood stove glass gasket?

You should replace your stove door rope gasket when the stove “feels loose”. And I know it sounds funny to say that, but by “feels loose”, I mean that smoke starts to leak from around the door, or you're unable to control the fire as well because too much air is getting to it.

This generally means that your gasket is worn out, which happens over time from opening and closing the door. A good test for this is to take a piece of paper, place it in the opening and shut the door on it. Then pull on the paper. If it pulls out really easy, then the gasket should be replaced. If it's difficult after trying it all the way around the opening, then the gasket is fine.

Having a good seal with a good gasket will help you maintain efficiency and have better control of your stove's fire. It's a fairly easy process to do, and we have several videos on our site showing that being done.

Q: When should I replace my wood stove door rope gasket?

A: You should replace your stove door rope gasket when the stove starts to “feel loose”—meaning:

·         Smoke leaks from around the door.

·         You can’t control the fire as well because too much air is getting in.

Over time, gaskets wear out from repeated opening and closing, which compromises the seal and reduces your stove’s efficiency.

Easy Paper Test for Gasket Wear

1.      Place a piece of paper between the door and the stove frame.

2.      Close the door on the paper.

3.      Try pulling the paper out.

o    If it slides out easily, your gasket needs replacing.

o    If it’s difficult to pull out all the way around, your gasket is still sealing well.

Why a Good Seal Matters

A tight, functioning gasket helps:

·         Maintain high stove efficiency.

·         Control airflow for a steady, controlled burn.

·         Prevent smoke from entering the room.

Replacing a gasket is a fairly easy DIY project, and we have several step-by-step videos on our site to guide you through the process.

Question #6

What types of gaskets are available (rope, tape, tadpole), and how do I choose the right one?
Explanation of the different styles and their installation methods.

There are various different types of gaskets available for your wood stove or fireplace.

 There's what they call a tape gasket. That is generally used around the edge of the glass. It goes on the glass like a U or a C channel. Typically, this tape gasket is sticky on one side. The sticky side goes right on the glass, pinched over both sides of the edge at the same time, creating this U channel around the edge of the glass. This helps seal the glass when it's put in place and also protects the edge.

A rope gasket is typically used on the front door of your wood stove or fireplace. By rope, they mean it looks like a cord of rope. It's round. It comes in various diameters, from a quarter of an inch all the way up to an inch and a quarter. Most of this rope gasket comes in a fiberglass that is either white or a fiberglass that has been treated with graphite, which is then a charcoal color. The advantage of the graphite is it keeps the gasket from burning as easily over time, so it lasts longer and has better adhesion.

There's also what they call a tadpole gasket, and that's used mostly on fireplaces. A lot of gas fireplaces have a tadpole gasket that goes around the edge of the glass or the glass frame. It's made to seal the glass, but also as the door cover is put on. It cushions and seals the door cover in place at the same time. The best thing to do would be to check your owner's manual for what type of gasket you should have in what instance.

Q: What types of gaskets are available for wood stoves and fireplaces, and how do I choose the right one?

A: There are three main types of gaskets commonly used in wood stoves and fireplaces—tape gaskets, rope gaskets, and tadpole gaskets. Each has a specific function and installation method:

1. Tape Gasket

• Purpose: Typically used around the edge of the glass.

• Design: Shaped like a U or C channel, with one sticky side that adheres directly to the glass edge, folding over both sides.

• Function: Seals the glass when installed and protects the glass edges from chipping.

2. Rope Gasket

• Purpose: Commonly used on the front door of wood stoves and fireplaces.

• Design: Round, rope-like cord available in diameters from ¼ inch to 1¼ inches.

• Materials:

  • Fiberglass (white) – standard option.

  • Graphite-treated fiberglass (charcoal color) – offers better resistance to burning and improved adhesion, meaning it lasts longer.

3. Tadpole Gasket

• Purpose: Found mostly in gas fireplaces, installed around the edge of the glass or glass frame.

• Design: Seals the glass and cushions the door cover when it’s closed, ensuring a snug, air-tight fit.

Choosing the Right Gasket

• Always refer to your owner’s manual for the exact gasket type, size, and material specified for your model. Using the wrong type can lead to poor sealing, reduced efficiency, or safety concerns.

Question #7

What is a safe and effective way to clean stove or fireplace glass?

What we have found that works well as a glass cleaner for your wood stove or fireplace is an ammonia-free foaming cleaner like our Total Hearth Stove Glass Cleaner. And we have very special, specific instructions on how to use it.

If you spray the glass cleaner on the inside of your door glass, then spray the glass cleaner on some crumpled up newspaper, dip that newspaper in your ashes, and wipe it on the wet door glass. It makes a sooty, nasty paste. Then scrub the sooty glass with the newspaper. It really helps break down and remove the soot off the glass. Then just wipe the residue off with a paper towel. Spray it with glass cleaner once again to clean it all up. And it makes a streak-free, clean piece of glass. This glass cleaner also works as a polish, so the more you use it, and the more often you clean it, the easier it is to clean each time.

Those instructions are on every can of our glass cleaner when we send it to you.

Q: What’s the best way to clean the glass on my wood stove or fireplace?

A: For the best results, we recommend using an ammonia-free foaming cleaner like our Total Hearth Stove Glass Cleaner—safe for both ceramic and tempered glass. It’s effective, streak-free, and works as both a cleaner and a polish.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Method

1. Spray the inside of your stove or fireplace door glass with the cleaner.

2. Spray cleaner onto a piece of crumpled newspaper.

3. Dip the newspaper into a small amount of cool fireplace ash.

4. Scrub the wet glass with the ash-covered newspaper—this creates a paste that breaks down stubborn soot and creosote.

5. Wipe off the residue with paper towel.

6. Spray the glass one more time with cleaner and wipe to a streak-free finish.

Why It Works

• The foaming action lifts soot without scratching.

• The ash paste acts as a gentle abrasive to break down buildup.

• Over time, the cleaner leaves a polish layer that makes future cleanings easier.

Tip: Frequent cleaning keeps glass looking clear and prevents heavy buildup.

Question #8

How can I maintain my glass and gasketing to keep my fireplace looking clear and functioning safely long-term?

The best way to maintain your glass and gasketing on your wood stove or fireplace is typically done through routine maintenance. If you check it periodically and before each time you start a fire, you'll be able to keep up on it before it gets out of hand.

If you clean the glass regularly, using our recommended glass cleaner, avoid using harsh chemicals like oven cleaner, which will eat the surface of the glass. And fix your gasket when it starts getting loose. That will definitely help the glass from sooting up as easily.

Also, hotter fires typically help burn off any soot before it reaches the glass to be able to stick to it. So burn a nice hot fire. A lazy fire will have lazy flue gases that will build up on your glass.

Q: How do I maintain the glass and gasketing on my wood stove or fireplace?

A: Regular maintenance is the key to keeping your stove or fireplace glass clear and your gasketing in good condition. By checking both before each fire and cleaning them routinely, you can prevent issues before they become major problems.

Glass Maintenance

• Clean regularly using our recommended ammonia-free stove glass cleaner.

• Avoid harsh chemicals like oven cleaner—these can damage the glass surface.

• Burn hotter fires when safe for your appliance. Hot fires help burn off soot before it can stick to the glass, while low, “lazy” fires allow flue gases to linger and create buildup.

Gasket Maintenance

• Inspect the gasket before each heating season and periodically during use.

• Replace the gasket when it becomes loose or worn to maintain an airtight seal—this helps prevent soot buildup and improves stove efficiency.

Bottom line: Keep your fires hot, clean your glass often with the right products, and replace gaskets when needed to ensure your stove runs efficiently and looks great.

Question #9

What parts does Total‑Hearth offer besides glass (e.g., gaskets, blowers, handles, firebrick)?

Here at Total-Hearth, we specialize in the glass for wood stoves and fireplaces because we manufacture it here. The glass is made to all of the manufacturer's specifications, but that's not all we do.

We also handle all the gaskets needed for your glass, your door gaskets, ash pans and gaskets for your gas fireplaces. We carry as many of the blower motors and complete blower systems, thermostats, thermos-discs, handles, baffles, various handles, and other parts to restore your wood stove or fireplace.

We also have a full line of pellet parts available.  Auger motors, shafts and control circuit boards.

We also have a lot of maintenance products, like sealants, glues, firebrick, cements, cleaners and restoration products. 

 If there's a product that you don't see on our site or you can't find, please contact us or give us a call. We'd be glad to look it up for you or search and see if it's still available.

Sometimes we have to special order some of the parts that are not as common or that may have been discontinued.

Q: What products and services does Total-Hearth offer?

A: At Total-Hearth, we specialize in glass for wood stoves and fireplaces, manufacturing it to exact manufacturer specifications right here in-house. But we offer much more than glass:

Glass & Gaskets

• Ceramic and tempered glass for wood stoves, pellet stoves, and fireplaces.

• Gaskets for glass edges, stove doors, ash pans, and gas fireplaces.

Replacement Parts

• Blower motors and complete blower systems.

• Thermostats and thermo-discs.

• Handles, baffles, and other hardware to restore your stove or fireplace.

Pellet Stove Parts

• Auger motors and shafts.

• Control circuit boards.

Maintenance & Repair Products

• Sealants, adhesives, and stove cement.

• Firebrick replacements.

• Cleaners, polishes, and restoration products.

Special Orders & Hard-to-Find Items

• If you don’t see a part on our site, contact us—we can search for it and see if it’s still available.

• Some uncommon or discontinued parts may require special ordering.

Bottom line: We’re your one-stop shop for stove and fireplace glass, gaskets, parts, and maintenance supplies—whether it’s standard stock or hard-to-find items.

Question #10

What brand or glass type did my stove originally use, and why is it best to stick with that?
Guidance on keeping consistency to ensure proper fit, performance, and safety.

The brand of glass doesn't typically matter as much as that you use the same type of glass. And by that I mean if you had neoceramic glass originally, yes it's fine and great to replace it with neoceramic glass, but pyroceramic would do the same thing and function just as well. So just stick with the same type.

 If you had tempered glass in it originally, you must use tempered glass. If you had ceramic glass in it originally, you must use ceramic. And for older antique stoves, a lot of them used what we call mica or isinglass, and you must use that in those units. So always go back and put in the same type of glass that you had for top performance and safety.

Q: Does the brand of stove or fireplace glass matter when replacing it?

A: The brand of glass usually isn’t as important as making sure you replace it with the same type of glass your unit originally used.

• If your appliance originally had Neoceram glass, you can replace it with Pyroceram (or vice versa)—both are ceramic glass types and will function the same.

• If your appliance originally had tempered glass, you must replace it with tempered glass.

• If it originally had ceramic glass, you must replace it with ceramic glass.

• For older or antique stoves that used mica or isinglass, you must use the same material for proper fit, performance, and safety.

Bottom line: Always replace your glass with the same type it came with, even if the brand is different. This ensures the right heat rating, safety, and performance for your appliance.

Question #11

How long does it take to receive my custom-cut tempered glass, and can it be refunded if it's the wrong size?
Custom glass takes 10–14 business days, and orders are non-refundable once cut.

Custom cut tempered glass usually takes about 7 to 10 business days to manufacture, and then we have to ship it to you. So depending on where you're at in the country, it can be as long as two weeks before you get it.

This reason is because tempered glass is cut from regular stock annealed glass to the size and specifications that you asked for. Then we seam the edge, basically means sand it so it's not sharp. Then we have to put it in a tempering machine, which heats it very quickly to a high temperature. And it's cooled very rapidly, and that tempers the glass. We do that process twice. Then the product is cleaned, put in a box, and shipped to you.

The reason that tempered glass orders are non-refundable is because once they are cut and it is tempered, it cannot be re-cut. The product is finished. If you try to re-cut tempered glass, it will shatter in a million pieces. Each order is made specifically for you and your dimensions.

Q: How long does it take to receive custom-cut tempered glass, and can it be refunded if it’s the wrong size?

A: Custom-cut tempered glass typically takes 7–10 business days to manufacture, plus shipping time. Depending on your location, it can take up to two weeks from the time you place your order to receive it.

Why It Takes 7–10 Days to Manufacture

1. The glass is cut from annealed stock glass to your exact dimensions.

2. The edges are seamed (sanded) so they are smooth and safe to handle.

3. The cut glass is placed into a tempering machine, where it is:

   • Rapidly heated to a high temperature.

   • Quickly cooled to lock the molecular structure, creating tempered glass.

   • This heating-and-cooling process is done twice.

4. The finished glass is cleaned, packaged, and shipped.

Refund Policy

• Non-refundable: Once tempered glass is cut and tempered, it cannot be re-cut.

• Attempting to re-cut tempered glass will cause it to shatter into tiny pieces.

• Each order is made specifically to your measurements, so accurate dimensions are essential before ordering.

Bottom line: Expect about two weeks total for delivery, and be sure your measurements are correct—tempered glass cannot be altered once it’s made.

Question #12

Does Total‑Hearth offer free shipping, and who can I contact for help?
Free U.S. shipping on orders over $100, plus customer support via phone/email

Yes, Total-Hearth does offer free shipping for all orders over $100. If it's under $100, it's just our standard shipping fee. Standard shipping may be sent regular United States Post Office or it could be UPS or Fed-Ex. whichever shipping platform shows us the best rate for the best time. You also have the option of choosing expedited shipping, three-day shipping, two-day shipping, and next-day shipping, which may go either UPS or FedEx, depending on which one is quicker.

Q: Does Total-Hearth offer free shipping, and who can I contact for help?

A: Yes! Total-Hearth offers free U.S. shipping on all orders over $100.

• Orders under $100: Standard shipping applies. Your order may ship via USPS, UPS, or FedEx, depending on which carrier provides the best rate and delivery time for your location.

• Expedited options: You can select 3-day, 2-day, or next-day shipping at checkout. These will ship via UPS or FedEx—whichever can get it to you faster.

Customer Support

If you have questions about products, shipping, or an order:

• Call us – We’re happy to assist by phone. 217-223-0999

• Email us – Use our contact form or direct email for a quick response. Support@total-hearth.com

Bottom line: Orders over $100 ship free, and we’re here to help by phone or email with anything you need.