What Size Wood Stove Door Gasket Replacement Do I Need?

We can tell you exactly how to determine which size and style high temperature gasket material you'll need! Fast Replacement Glass recommends reading your stove or fireplace owner's manual if you're unsure about which type and size (diameter) wood stove gasket you'll need for your door or window glass. For the sake of explanation, let's assume the information in your manual is not clear or readily available.

Wood Stove Door Gasket Replacement
A brand new rope gasket has a circumferential shape (hence its name). Once installed and as the door is tightly closed, it is designed to flatten and fill the space between the door and the application's frame for an airtight seal.

If you don't obtain the correct size, you will not get a good seal, therefore reducing your heating application's efficiency. Here's what you need to do in order to determine the correct size:

• Closely examine the old seal. If convenient, choose a section that does not look as worn as the rest of the gasket. Next, you'll need to measure the width and depth of the channel.
• Using a blunt, slender tool (such as a flat head screwdriver), carefully and gently pry that section of the old seal out of the channel. You just need to pull out enough to configure the width of the channel with a ruler or tape measure (figure on approximately 2 inches of gasket).
• Measure across the channel (in inches) and record your measurement.
• Carefully remove any cement or adhesive residue that may remain in the channel. Once it is fairly clean, you'll need to measure the depth of the channel.
• Click on the measurement template image on the right to view and print the pdf measuring tool, or CLICK HERE. When printing, remember to print at "actual size". Do not resize the pdf or the rulers on the page will no longer be to scale! We recommend printing on cardstock or a stiff paper weight. You'll need to insert the template into the channel for a precise measurement and regular paper will crinkle or tear.  
• Cut out the template that is the same width of your gasket channel. (For example, if your channel is 7/8 inches wide, cut out the 7/8 inch template.)
• Next, push the end of the template that matches the shape of the channel all the way to the bottom of the groove. (For example, if your 7/8 inc channel has a "U" shaped bottom, use the rounded end of the 7/8 inch template. If your channel has a flat bottom, use the straight end of the 7/8 inch template.)
• Mark the template measurement that is level with the top of the gasket channel. Remove the template and record the measurement (in inches) from the rounded or flat end to your mark. This determines how deep your channel is. 
• Compare the two measurements (width and depth). Which one is larger? Choose the largest measurement of the two so that your new replacement gasket will completely fill and seal the channel.
• If you can mold your old gasket back into a circular shape, try placing a ruler across it to measure the width. This additional measurement should give you a very specific indication of what size diameter to request.
  • CLICK HERE to view our wood stove gaskets!
• Do you have a Vermont Castings Stove? You'll need our Griddle (or Armored) gasket for the top loader portion of your appliance. This is a rope-style seal that is encased in a stainless steel mesh. The Griddle gasket only comes in one size and is compatible with all Vermont Castings stoves.
  • CLICK HERE to view this product for the top loader portion of your Vermont Castings stove!
• It is a good idea to order one additional foot beyond your final measurements in case of a miscalculation.

Wood Stove Glass Gasket

Stove manufacturers are partial to certain methods and materials for sealing the ceramic window glass in the stove door. Therefore, they will vary from one model to another. Some stoves have single panes of glass, and others have double sheets. You'll need to take a look at your stove door window to determine what has been used.

Carefully remove the stove door and carefully place it on a cushioned surface (such as old sheets, foam, or cardboard). Next, remove any framing materials from the glass to evaluate the seal that has been used around or on the edge of the glass itself. Identify your gasket using the following descriptions:

• Fiberglass Rope Gasket: in the case that you have a rope gasket, use the measuring guidelines above to determine the size and thickness needed for the window channel. In the case that your stove model uses a small diameter glass rope gasket, we have a selection of thin rope gaskets in 3/16, 1/4, and  5/16 inch to suit your stove glass window.
  • CLICK HERE to view these products!
• Wood Stove Door Gasket Kit with Adhesive: We carry kits that include pre-cut rope gaskets in an variety of thicknesses and lengths, along with a 2 fluid ounce bottle of our high temperature adhesive. Don't need the bonding agent? No problem! We carry door and glass gaskets kits for Vermont Castings and Old Dutchwest models.
  • CLICK HERE to view these products!
• Vermont Castings Stove door and glass: ​Please refer to the measurement directions above for both the stove door and window gaskets on your Vermont Castings heating appliance, as both the door and the glass will require a regular rope-style gasket.
  • CLICK HERE to view these products for your Vermont Castings stove door and glass!
• Flat Gasket (black or white, 5/8 inch): designed to fit around the edge of the glass so that a seal is created on both sides of the window. We recommend using a gasket cement for a secure adhesion. Sometimes referred to as channel tape.
  • CLICK HERE to view these products!
• Semi-Rigid Tadpole Gasket (1/2 or 5/8 inch): these high temperature, adhesive backed gaskets form a tight seal on one side of the window glass with its semi-rigid foil wrapped core. Sometimes referred to as "bulb and tail seal." The thickness of the bulb material allows rebound from compression, while the tail conforms to uneven surfaces.
  • CLICK HERE for 1/2 inch!
  • CLICK HERE for 5/8 inch!
• Soft Core Tadpole Gasket (5/8 inch): these adhesive backed gaskets form a tight seal on one side of the window glass, while maintaining flexibility with its soft fiber core. Sometimes referred to as "bulb and tail seal." The thickness of the bulb material allows rebound from compression, while the tail conforms to uneven surfaces.
  • CLICK HERE to view this product!

For rope style gaskets, please refer to the measurement directions & template above. For flat tape-style gaskets, measure the total dimensions for your door or glass channel to determine how much length you will need. For tadpole gaskets, measure the width of your door or window channel, as well as the total dimensions, to determine which particular gasket you will need. It is a good idea to order one additional foot beyond your final measurements in case of a miscalculation.

Catalytic Combustor Gaskets

We carry those as well! Also known as interam gaskets, these slim 1/16 inch wraps are available by the foot and can be used with both round and rectangular catalytic combustors. Its universal design helps to seat your combustor properly within the chamber. Gold flecks of mica are embedded into the spongy material which expand when heated. This gasket should be replaced when you are changing out your combustor.

CLICK HERE to view our products! To determine how much gasket you need, measure the diameter of your round combustor or the total of all four sides of your rectangular combustor, then add one additional foot for possible miscalculations.