Smokey Fireplace Screens

Archive for the ‘How To’ Category

You can make your own beautiful wood fireplace screen for a lot less money that you can purchase one in a store.

Not only will it be less expensive to build your own, but you can make it to fit your fireplace and match your decor.

You will need three solid wood cabinet doors, one of which should be larger than the other two in width. You can pick these up at a flea market or other sale—you will want to refinish them anyway.

Start off by removing all the hardware from the cabinet doors. Fill any holes with wood putty and when the putty is dry, sand with fine sand paper to have a smooth flat surface. If you wish to stain or paint the doors, do so now. If you use paint, ensure that your paint is safe to be used near heat so that it wont bubble, melt or cause a fire.

Place all three doors face side down on the floor, side by side, with the largest door in the center. Use two sets of hinges on each door to door section, one on top and one on bottom, for a total of four hinges.

If you want to add some decorative hardwood accents, stain them to match the doors and let dry. Then, using wood glue, glue the accents into place on the front of the door, ensuring that you wipe off any excess glue.

You can also add a decorative wood molding to trim the doors with. Trim the molding to fit the doors, then stain to match. Glue to the top, or borders of the door (whichever your preference) and allow to dry.

When all the glue is dry, you are ready to use your new wood fireplace screen. Simply stand up and angle the two side doors backwards to have the screen stand in front of your fireplace. You have now created an original wood fireplace screen, one that you will treasure for years to come!

You can create you own beautiful stained glass screen to match your homes decor and to fit your fireplace.

It is possible to make your own real stained glass, however, it is highly recommended that you take some stained glass classes in order to create a piece of your own. For this project, you will just need plain sheets of glass and some paints.

Purchase three sheets of glass and have them cut to the size you need them. The middle piece should be wider than the outer two pieces. Purchase some ‘stained glass’ paint, and ensure that it is heat resistant, so that it will not bubble or peel from the glass. Your glass should have a temperature rating as well, to ensure that some heat will not cause it to shatter and break.

Draw out your design on a piece of paper the same size as your glass. Once you are happy with it, put your glass on top of the paper, ensuring that the edges are square. You can use some tape or spray adhesive to help the paper stay in place.

Trace your design using stained glass paints. Follow the directions on the bottles and allow your design to dry. Repeat with the other two pieces of glass.

When the glass and paint is dry, you can now begin to build your fireplace screen. You will need thick wooden or metal frames for the stained glass. Insert the stained glass in the frames and secure tightly. You will need four hinges to attach the fireplace screens together.

Lay the three framed pieces on the floor side by side, with the largest one in the center. The painted side should face downward, towards the floor. Secure the center to the left piece and the center to the right piece with two hinges each side, one on top and one on the bottom.

Stand your new fireplace screen up and angle the outside two panes inward so that it stands correctly, and voila! You have created your very own, unique and original stained glass fireplace screen.

A fireplace is a lovely thing to be able to look at while you and the family are just sitting around it and talking.

It really is something special. But the thing that gives it an even greater beauty, and safety, is having the right fireplace screens. While fireplaces are not used so much for heating these days, they still add elegance, and can wonderfully enhance the beauty of your living room or den. Here are a couple of things to think about as you choose the right fireplace screens for your home.

Mesh Fireplace Screens

Different styles of protection are available today. Many homes use a metal mesh screen in order to keep the sparks from flying. These are more for practicality rather than beauty. They work well while the fire is burning in allowing the heat to pass through the screen into the living room. Many people use these. Some of them are built into the fireplace, and others may come with either black frame, or brass-colored.

Spark Screens

Another kind of fireplace screens are those that consist of basic screen material with a frame. Frames can come in many styles and shapes. Some are bowed screens, others have folding leaves, and others more like an open box. Some are elegant, but most in this style are rather plain – but will definitely bring the needed protection for your home that every fireplace needs.

Glass Screens

More traditional fireplace screens are very basic in style and usually come framed in brass, copper, or a similar colored metal. These are popular, and with just the right matching fireplace tools, can add much beauty to your fireplace.

Designer Screens

These are the fireplace screens with all the extras. They can include things like frosted glass, etched glass, rounded tops, multiple panels, and could have a great amount of extra ornateness to them that add that touch that just speaks of quality and elegance.

Before you go out and buy that beautiful screen that you have your heart set on, be sure to learn how to properly size a fireplace screen. Also, for even greater safety for you, your children, and your home, be sure to have a fire extinguisher nearby – just in case.