Smokey Fireplace Screens

Archive for the ‘General Information’ Category

While fireplaces were once necessary in a home to provide the only source of heat, they are now placed in homes for a more decorative purpose.

A classic fireplace can be the main centerpiece in a room and create an atmosphere of either warmth and comfort or one of regality. Due to the popularity of using the fireplace as a decoration component, there are many fireplace screens and accessories you can purchase to enhance the decorative theme you have created in your home.

There are many screens that portray the classic look of a fireplace, however, with the increased attractiveness of the fireplace, you can find more unique fireplace screens to add to the decor. For example, there are many decorative stained-glass versions that are a work of art and will add flavor to your home. You can find them in an assortment of designs and styles in bright colors or those with a hint of more subtlety. Whether you wish to purchase one with a flower design or an art deco design, you should be able to find them for under $500 for a single-panel or up to five-panels.

Of course, the stained-glass screens are only one of your options. There are many others to choose from including wrought iron, brass, and copper and many will come with a door in front of them for easy access to the fire. Because the popularity of fireplaces being used as decoration, there are an abundance of styles and decorations to choose from when you purchase a screen and accessories to match.

If you have a working fireplace, you’ll want to purchase accessories such as an ash can and shovel. These can generally be purchased for a low cost and often are found in black, although some have taken the time to stencil decorations on these, as well. You’ll also want to purchase a fireplace tool set and these can be found in a wide variety of styles. Whether you’re looking for an antique fireplace tool set or a more modern one, you’ll be able to find them almost anywhere, including online. The tool set will generally consist of a small shovel, broom, tongs, and a poker with a stand to hold them all. You should be able to find these in brass, iron, chrome, and copper, all in a wide variety of styles for you to choose from.

When choosing one for your hearth, you may be surprised in the choices you have, as well as the artistry that is involved in the designs you may see.

When it comes to screens, they’ve changed a lot over the last few years. While fireplaces were once simply used as a source of heat, they are now the main focal point in the decor of a home. With a sudden rise in popularity, the fireplace screen is an item that many artists are working their magic on. When choosing one for your hearth, you may be surprised in the choices you have, as well as the artistry that is involved in the designs you may see.

The stained glass version has recently come to the front in popularity and this has been a delight to those working in stained glass. The stain glass fireplace screen is an artist’s delight as it allows for many designs, whether on a single panel screen or three panel screen. If this is the style of fireplace screen you’re in the market for, you’ll find them in many designs, from a garden theme to more contemporary designs.

Artists of all measures are enjoying working on fireplace screens in all types of materials, including wrought iron, copper, and brass. You’ll see the carefully designed arched panels that may have an emblem on the top. There are some fireplace screens that have been made from wrought iron and yet still will have a small framed stained glass piece centered in the middle.

The fact is artists have taken to designing fireplace screens to match almost any décor. Whether you’re looking for something classic or something with a more contemporary flair, you’ll be able to find something to match your needs. There are many home improvement stores that feature fireplace screens that have been designed by artists and are manufactured in bulk or if you want something more unique, you can find artists that will construct the design that you’re looking for.

One of the newest trends in fireplaces are curved fireplace screens, which form an semi-circle around the front of your fireplace.

A fireplace can be a focal point of the entire room, and curved fireplace screens can give your fireplace a look of elegance, while protected your children, pets, or carpet from possible hazards caused by a fireplace. The following paragraphs will discuss curved fireplace screens, and how they can benefit any fireplace owner.

Curved screens offer the same protection as traditional fireplace screens, only they provide a different look for your room. Instead of several panels hinged together, a curved fireplace screen is normally a perfectly curved unit, designed to stand alone as one single piece. As with a traditional fireplace screen, a curved fireplace screen offers protection to the fireplace owner in the event a burning log rolls from the fire. They also protect children, pets, and carpet from being burned from popping wood as it burns. The curved fireplace screen will block these elements from ever leaving the fireplace.

These screens are quickly growing in popularity because of the elegant “new” look they give can give an entire room. As opposed to the traditional squared screen, which most generally gives off a look of days gone by, a curved fireplace screen is more a semi-circle, and presents more of a soft, futuristic look. More and more people are choosing curved fireplace screens over traditional ones.

They come in sizes to fit all fireplaces and can usually purchased anywhere you would buy a traditional fireplace screen. They can also be purchased online from one of many fireplace retailers on the internet. Before you purchase, online or otherwise, be sure you measure your fireplace to ensure you are purchasing the right size screen.

Fireplace screens are used to create a physical barrier between the heat of a fire and people, pets and objects elsewhere in the room.

There are many types and styles, including single-panel screens.

Some benefits of choosing a single-panel screen are:

* Easy to use
* No latches or hinges to fuss with
* No installation of straight or curved single-panel screens
* Some provide some barrier of safety, keeping kids, pets and the rest of the room from burning themselves on the fire or wood stove
* Less expensive than multi-panel screens
* They can add design elements to your room
* Straight single-panel screens can be stored away very easily
* The only style that can be attached to a fireplace

There are three basic styles of single-panel screens – straight, curved and attached.

Straight screens usually sit up next to your fireplace and can add a great deal of visual emphasis to a room. Straight screens usually sit on adjustable feet. These take up very little room on the hearth but don’t provide safety from curious children or pets if placed close to the fire.

Curved single-panel screens bow around the fireplace opening, creating a wider barrier between the fire and the rest of the room. Curved screens are much more stable and are a better choice if you have small children or curious pets in your home. While these usually do not have feet, they are much less likely to tip over because of the curvature.

Attached screens are usually less ornate than straight or curved screens but offer a great way to keep sparks in the fireplace and off your carpet or floor. Because these screens are attached directly in front of the fireplace, they do not provide a barrier for little hands and tails. Installation is generally simple and requires little more than a screw gun and level.

Designs of unattached screens (straight and curved types) include plain wrought iron, one with a deer scene, another with a village scene, a colored butterfly inlayed in a screen, some with hearts or floral or leaf designs and still others with gold plating and Victorian accents.

Oversized fireplaces, while magnificent and luxurious, require more than the additional room. They require a larger fireplace screen to keep curious kids and furry friends out, and hot embers in.

Paneled fireplaces are typically 3 panels, but for oversized fireplaces there are four or five paneled models. Unlike a 3 panel screen, 4- or 5-panel models contain panels that are each the same size and matching design, attached with hinges between each panel.

Multi-paneled screens are usually very stable, unlikely to fall when bumped. This is great news if you have children or pets in your home. Multi-paneled screens also keep your home safe by keeping the occasional flying spark on your hearth rather than your floor, where a fire might ignite.

If your oversized fireplace is wider than the standard 36” but no more than the standard 32” high, look for a 4 panel screen. Most 4 panel fireplace screens are 52” wide and 32” tall. There are a few available that are extra tall, measuring 52” wide and 52” tall, but the designs are very limited.

If your fireplace is taller than it is wide you need a 5 panel fireplace screen. Most 5 panel fireplace screens are just over 32” wide and up to 60” tall. There are few design options when choosing a 5 panel screen, however, because there are few manufacturers that bulk produce these.

If you can’t find the design you like in a 4 or 5 paneled screen, don’t give up on your fireplace. Take the measurements of your fireplace and design ideas to a blacksmith and inquire about a custom screen. They may not be as expensive as you think.

Extra large fireplaces add an air of royalty to any room they occupy and the screen should not be diminutive or undersized. Choose a screen that fits properly, like a 4 or 5 paneled fireplace screen.

Typical 3 panel doors are made with a large panel in the middle, 28” – 32” wide and just as tall.

Fireplace screens have been around for a relatively short time in the history of the fireplaces. They were only invented in the 18th century and, at that time, were used to keep ashes and sparks in the fire. Nowadays, they are used for much more. They are accents to the room and safety guards to keep children and pets out of the fire. They still keep embers in the fire, as well.

Typical 3 panel doors are made with a large panel in the middle, 28” – 32” wide and just as tall. Attached with hinged on either side of the large center panel are panels half the width and same height as the main panel. Hinged, 3 panel screens are more stable than single panel screens; they are less likely to fall when placed on a hearth or floor, even when bumped.

Some 3 panel fireplace screens have doors that open and close built into the large panel. These doors are handy for adding wood or adjusting the fire, because you don’t have to move the entire screen.

If you are considering a 3, 4 or 5 panel screen keep these in mind:

* Fewer hinges on a 3 panel screens let you see more of the fire
* Fewer panels are easier to move because there are fewer moving parts and are lighter
* 3 panel screens are just the right size for fireplaces up to 36” square openings
* 3 panel screens are less expensive than 4 or 5 panel screens
* There are more design styles available in 3 panel screens than in 4 or 5 paneled

Choose a screen that will aesthetically appeal to your room and keep you safe as well. Three panel screens can do this and more. They can make fire maintenance easier if you choose a screen with the door feature.