Fireplace Screens Decorate and Protect Your Home

Fireplace screens are not just decorative, they are necessary for the safety of your home. If you have a wood fireplace, this is especially true. But even for other types of fireplaces, a screen will make the look of your fireplace complete.

Screens keep smoke and ash from entering the home from wood burning fires. And they will also keep potentially fire causing sparks from flying out as well. You can also purchase a style of screen that hides the ash build up at the bottom.

Screens also protect children and pets from getting dangerously close to the heat. This is an important safety feature for whatever type of fireplace you have, wood, gas or electric. It is easy to forget that there are dangers associated even when there is no open flame.

More people have fireplaces that are powered by gas or electric these days. The cleaning and maintenance is far easier. But there is still a desire to emulate the look of a wood fireplace if possible. One is so used to seeing fireplace screens on traditional fireplaces that they just do not look right without them. Many people have screens for this purpose, even if they never actually use the fireplace.

There are many materials and styles of fireplace screens on the market. They are usually either glass or metal, with an iron, gold or brass look. Styles may be folding, single pieces or multiple. The designs cover a wide range from very basic to ornate and everything in between. You will definitely find one to match the style of your home.

You need to make sure that your screen is the proper size if it is to fulfill its safety purposes. Some screens are fitted into the fireplace. For those that are not, you need to be sure that it covers the sides as well as the front. It will also need to be a few inches higher than the fireplace.

You will also want to ensure that freestanding fireplace screens are stable. Especially if you do have pets or small children, you want to make sure that they are not easy to knock over. Folding screens in particular can be somewhat more unstable. If necessary, you may need to consider attaching the screen somehow to the fireplace to prevent accidents.

Whichever type of fireplace you have, whatever your home decor, you will have no problem finding the style you want among all the available fireplace screens. And you will have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are protecting your home and loved ones.