How To Select A Fireplace Screen

Trying to decide which fireplace screen to buy can seem overwhelming.  There are many shapes, colors, styles and sizes available.  Here is some help to select the fireplace screen that is just right for you.
 
Shape

Lets start with shape.  This will be the easiest decision to make.  Is your fireplace opening arched or standard?  If your fireplace opening is arched,  you will select an arched fireplace screen with a continuous arch.  If it is standard, any of the others will work as long as it fits.  We will get to sizing later.

Color

Lets now move on to color.  You will want your fireplace screen to coordinate with the dominant colors in your room.  

If your dominant colors are warm, such as red, yellow, orange, or a mix of any of these, your fireplace screen should be black, gold, rust, copper, bronze, brass, or any of the brown shades.  

If your dominant colors are cool, such as green, green-blue, blue, blue-violet, or violet, your fireplace screen should be black, white, stainless steel, pewter, or any of the silver colors.

You probably noticed that a black fireplace screen works with any color scheme.

Theme

The next question would be, what look am I trying to achieve?  One would be traditional.  A traditional look is a "clean look" which is simple and classic in design.  This look works well with any theme.  These fireplace screens would include ones that have straight lines and are not real "fancy" in their design.  

Another look would be an antique or a Victorian theme.  This is usually rich in tapestries and very elegant.  This calls for the fireplace screens with rounded corners and fancy scrolls.

Other Fireplace Screens To Consider

You may want to consider a fireplace screen with doors.  These are very handy not to have to move the entire fireplace screen to tend the fire.  You may also want a glass fireplace screen which is absolutely beautiful in the evening with the fire glowing behind it.

Fireplace Screen Sizing

The most important thing to consider is the size of the fireplace screen.  You could find a fireplace screen that you absolutely love, but if it does not fit it simply will not work.  The sizing rules are as follows:

Single panel fireplace screens should be 1-3 inches larger than the fireplace opening on all sides including the top.

Folding panel screens should be at least 10-12 inches larger than your fire box opening to allow for the bend which gives the fireplace screen stability.  The fireplace screen should also be 1-3 inches taller than your fire box opening.

These are minimum size guidelines.  If the fireplace screen is larger than this, that is fine.  As long as it does not look out of proportion.

Whatever fireplace screen you select, make sure it is one that fits and one that you will enjoy.  Every time you look at your new fireplace screen you should say, "I'm glad I got that one". 

Fireplace Screen Benefits

Over the years, the use of a fireplace screen has changed very little.  Fireplaces are not used today as they once were.  Fireplaces are no longer the main source of heat and I do not know anyone who uses theirs for cooking.  However, the fireplace screen still plays a vital role in today's fireplace.

Fireplace screens are a must for all that use their fireplace.  Luckily, there are several added benefits to having this necessity.  

Safety
First and foremost the fireplace screen is needed for safety.  You must protect your family and home from flying sparks and embers.  An unprotected fireplace can be disastrous.  The damage can range from putting burns in the floor to burning the entire house.

The second part of safety is keeping children and pets out of the fire itself.  A fireplace screen will provide a barrier between your child's roaming hands and the fire.  It will also keep your pets out of the fire or ashes when the fireplace is not in use.

Decor
Fireplace screens can be absolutely beautiful.  There is a huge selection of fireplace screens to choose from to go along with any style, color scheme, or theme you are trying to achieve.  

Whether you want a simple screen to just blend in, a decorative brass fireplace screen with fancy scroll work, or anything in between, you can turn your hearth into a thing of beauty.

The fireplace has long been the focal point or whichever room it was in.  You can easily turn an ordinary looking fireplace into a show piece with the addition of a fireplace screen, matching fireplace tools, and a matching log rack.  At this point, the fireplace will also be functional.

Disbursing Heat
This is one of the benefits that is overlooked or unknown.  The entire fireplace screen will heat up.  This allows a uniform heat to be emitted from the front.  This actually makes the fireplace heat much more efficiently, disbursing heat evenly through out the room.

The benefits of a fireplace screen are great.  Safety is the number benefit.  Decor and disbursing heat are just an added bonus.  

Log Rack Overview

Log racks are one of the fireplace accessories you do not want to be without.  They are functional, decorative, and complete your fireplace set.  There are many styles, colors, and types of log racks to choose from to fit in with any of your decor.

Stack With Style

Log racks bring a sense of order to your hearth.  They neatly consolidate the logs and actually put them on display.  It is just a nice sight to have a fire roaring with a stack of wood on deck ready for the fire.  

Log racks do this with style especially when they match or compliment the rest of your fireplace accessories.  You can find log racks made of: copper, bronze, brass, stainless steel, pewter, wrought iron along with other finishes.  

Their styles also vary from straight forward to fancy with scroll work and other designs.  

Preserve Your Logs

You will find indoor and outdoor log racks.  It is very important to keep your logs off the ground and floor to keep them from decaying and getting infested with insects.  

It is a waste of time and money when the wood you bought or worked so hard to cut and split rots away.  Avoid frustration by storing and curing your logs on a log rack.

Log Carriers

We all know what it like to have to brush yourself off after carrying in an arm load of firewood.  If this is you, try a log rack with a log carrier.  

Simply load the log carrier with firewood and carry it inside by the handles.  Set the log carrier in the log rack and you do not have the mess of setting the logs down.  

You also do not need to cradle the logs in your arms getting bark and wood all over your shirt with the use of a log carrier.  The debris from the logs stays in the log carrier.  Simply dump it out and you are ready for another load.

Log Baskets

Log baskets are great for carrying kindling and other small loads of wood.  Once again, load it up, carry it inside by the handle, set it down and you are done.  No mess.  

Log Rack With Wheels

Log carriers and log baskets make carrying logs much easier.  However, you still need to pick the load up.  If you are tired of carrying loads of wood, try a log rack with wheels.  Load the rack up and wheel it to the fire.  The wood is carried in and stacked in the same process.

Log Hoops

Log hoops are a great way to stack a lot of firewood in a small amount of space.  The circular shape allows the wood to be stacked very efficiently with the continuous sides rather than two wobbly end posts.

As you can see there are many chooses when it comes to log racks.  Whatever type you choose, make sure that it fulfills your needs.  Make the chore of firewood easier and cleaner with a log rack.

All About Copper Fireplace Screens

When someone decides to buy a copper fireplace screen, they are probably thinking " that color will go really nice with my drapes".  Which is fine, you do want your colors to coordinate.  However, that is probably where their thought about copper ends.

It is true that copper makes a beautiful fireplace screen.  It coordinates great with the warm colors of a room which are the reds, yellows and oranges.  There are also many other facts about copper that many people do not know.

History

Copper has a history of use that dates back to 10,000 years by some of the oldest civilizations.  Alloying copper with zinc or tin makes brass or bronze which dates back to shortly after the use of copper itself.  It is believed that copper was one one the first metals used by man next to gold and some irons.

Color

In it's pure form copper is pink or peachy in color.  It is one of three element metals with a natural color other than silver or gray.  

Copper will go through color changes over time.  It will turn blackish, brownish, reddish or tan caused by oxidation.  This layer however, stops further corrosion of the copper.  It will eventually will turn green over a long period of time.  

This green layer called verdigris is extremely resistant to corrosion.  This is why the Statue of Liberty and old copper roofs look green.  

This leads to, will my copper fireplace screen change color?  The answer is yes.  However, most decorative copper comes with a coat of lacquer.  Lacquer makes a barrier between the copper and the air to help prevent oxidation.  

You will still want to polish your copper fireplace screen with a copper polish to keep it looking like new or let it go and let it do it's thing.  It all depends on the look you want.

Germicidal    

Copper is also germicidal.  Copper has the ability to kill many harmful pathogens.  Copper or brass doorknobs will disinfect themselves of many harmful bacteria within an eight hour period.  

What does all this have to do with my copper fireplace screen you might ask?  It could make for some good conversation with your guests while you sit and admire your beautiful copper fireplace screen reflecting the flickering fire.  

Wool Hearth Rug Use And Benefits

Wool hearth rugs are both decorative and functional.  They are used to provide protection for the underlying floor from sparks and burning coals that may escape from your fireplace or wood stove.  They are also used for decor as well as comfort when kneeling in front of the fireplace or wood stove during routine maintenance.

Fire Resistance
Wool is a natural fire retardant.  It has a low rate of flame spread.  This means that if that if you put a burning coal on your wool hearth rug, the wool where the coal was placed would char.  The char is insulating and self-extinguishing eliminating the further spread of fire.

The charring results in less smoke and toxic gases that other flooring materials.  A wool hearth rug also will not melt or drip which could cause more problems for the underlying floor.

Wool carpets have long been used where safety is a priority, such as trains and air crafts.  Wool is also used in clothing for fire-fighters and others that have the threat of fire.

Water And Stain Resistance
Wool fibers are hydrophobic which means they repel water.  If something is spilled on the wool hearth rug, the spill will want to bead up and not soak in.  If stains do occur, they can be cleaned with water and a natural product such as vinegar.

A Rug Of Many Colors
Wool has the ability to readily accept dyes and retain the color.  This makes for some beautifully colored wool hearth rugs with some great patterns.  

You will find wool hearth rugs in many styles and colors.  There will not be a problem finding one to fit in with the color scheme of your room.  They are also very decorative.  There are Oriental hearth rugs, contemporary hearth rugs, standard braided hearth rugs and everything in between.

Wool hearth rugs have many uses and benefits.  Whether you are looking for comfort, style, or more importantly protecting your family and home, you will find it all in a wool hearth rug.

Fireplace Grates And Why You Should Have One

Fireplace grates are a very important fireplace accessory.  They are second only to the fireplace screen which keeps the fire contained in the firebox.  Fireplace grates are available in many shapes and sizes to accommodate all styles of fireboxes.  They are crucial to your fireplace burning at peak efficiency.

What Is A Fireplace Grate

A fireplace grate is a device used to raise logs off the firebox floor for the purpose of containing the logs and creating airflow to produce a hot fire.

The most common grate is a series of evenly spaced bars held up by four legs.  The bars are flat in the middle with the ends bent upward to hold the logs.  There is a self feeding variation of this fireplace grate.  The main difference is that the middle of the bars continue bending down creating a U shape instead of being flat.

There are also basket style fireplace grates.  Just as the name suggests, they are shaped like baskets.  The sides have evenly spaced straps of iron which allow for airflow.  This basket sits up on four legs to elevate it off the firebox floor.

Fireplace grates are generally made of cast iron or stainless steel, cast iron being the most common.  The rule of thumb is the heavier the grate the better.  

The heavier grates are more durable and stand up to continuous hot fires.  Lighter weight fireplace grates have smaller parts and sometimes hollow parts that just do not last.

Light weight grates are less expensive and will probably hold up fine if you seldom use your fireplace.  If you use your fireplace a great deal, your best bet is a heavy duty fireplace grate.  You will not regret it.

Fireplace Grate Function

The fireplace grate's main function is to elevate the burning logs off the base of the firebox to create airflow.  This airflow greatly increases the efficiency of the fire.  

With the logs elevated, air is allowed to be drawn under the logs forcing the coals to burn hot.  The hotter they burn the more they draw.  If the logs are not elevated they basically sit on the floor and suffocate.

Another function of the fireplace grate is to contain the burning logs.  The angled sides of the grate hold the logs and force them to the center.  Otherwise, when the logs closest to the bottom burned down, the top logs would roll off.

Fireplace Grate Benefits

A hot fire is the main benefit.  The obvious benefit of a hot fire is more heat for you.  A roaring fire produces far more heat than one that just sits there and smolders.

Another benefit of a hot fire is less smoke.  Less smoke means a more complete burn causing less creosote build up in the chimney, reducing the risk of a chimney fire.  Less smoke also means less pollution for the environment and your neighbors.

For anyone who uses their fireplace, a fireplace grate is a must.  If you do not already have one, do yourself, your chimney, the environment, and your neighbors a favor by outfitting your fireplace with a fireplace grate.

Fireplace Glass Doors

Fireplace glass doors make a beautiful and economic addition to your fireplace.  There is a large selection of fireplace glass doors so you can find the one that is right for your fireplace and you.  All your fireplace requires is that it fits.  You on the other hand, should be concerned about quality, style, and function.

As with anything, you should buy the best quality fireplace glass doors that you can.  When quality improves so does style and function.  Important functions to consider are:

Do the fireplace glass doors open fully?  Check to be sure that the doors open fully.  Cabinet style doors should open all the way 180 degrees to meet the back wall.  Bi-fold doors should also open 180 degrees and fold back on itself.  Doors that open fully are a lot less likely to get broken put logs in the fire.  Fully opened doors are also out of the way when you are cleaning out the firebox.

Are the fireplace glass doors removable?  Removable doors make the installation process much easier.  This reduces the risk of damage to the doors and also makes the unit lighter while installing the frame to the firebox walls.  

Removable doors are also great for cleaning.  You can easily remove the fireplace glass doors and take them outside for a thorough washing.  Ammonia is also great for cleaning the glass which is best done outside.  Just a reminder, never mix ammonia with any other chemicals because of the poisonous fumes.

The economic benefits of fireplace glass doors are great.  The closed doors offer another barrier for the heat from your house to escape.  When the fireplace is not in use, the only thing you rely on to keep heat from rushing up the chimney or cold air coming down the chimney is the damper.  

Dampers are not known for their insulating qualities.  The cast iron damper gets cold and this will radiate cold air into your home.  Fireplace glass doors will stop this cold air from getting in you house.

When the fireplace is in use, the draw from the heat and smoke going up the chimney pulls the warm air from the room with it.  Fireplace glass doors eliminate this.  The frame has a damper on it because all fires need air.  However, the air drawn from the damper is a lot less than the heat that is radiated from the glass.

If you want the most efficiency from your fireplace, consider fireplace glass doors.  There is no better way to put the heat into your home and not up the chimney.