The fireplace screen that you choose is going to enhance the appeal of the fireplace in your home so it’s important to choose the right style of the fireplace screen. If your fireplace isn’t operational then you can choose a more decorative screen that will go with the look of the room.
If the fireplace does work then you need to choose a fireplace screen that will function well and protect your home as well as look great. It’s also important to choose the right size fireplace screen that is designed to fit the width of your fireplace and protect the hearth area.
Fortunately, when it comes to choosing a fireplace screen you have plenty of options to choose from ranging from timeless and elegant to ultra modern and vintage style fireplace screens that will enhance the charm and nostalgic beauty of your home. The most common types of fireplace screens are:
Vintage Fireplace Screens
It may not be possible to find actual vintage fireplace screens that are in great condition for your vintage home but you can get reproduction vintage fireplace screens that are designed to look like they were made to fit your Victorian or Craftsman home but are made from modern materials. Reproduction vintage fireplace screens are the perfect marriage of modern safety materials and vintage beauty to make your vintage home look fantastic and period appropriate.
Single Panel Fireplace Screens
Single panel fireplace screens are the simplest type of fireplace screen. They always have easy to use handles and just simple feet so you can move them easily to add wood to the fire and they fit with the fireplace.
If you are looking for a simple and affordable type of fireplace screen and are happy with just a clean and modern style that isn’t too fancy or too frilly like the elaborate scrolls of reproduction vintage fireplace screens then a single panel fireplace screen is the best choice for your home.
Fireplace Screens With Doors
Unlike single panel fireplace screens that need to be moved in order to add wood fireplace screens with doors stay put and homeowners just open the doors to add wood or tend to the fire. Fireplace screens with doors have a very elegant look and are liked by homeowners because they are easy to use and safe.
They also have a very timeless look that looks great in any type of home and with any type of home décor so they can be used in any room where there is a fireplace. A fireplace screen with doors is a perfect choice for homeowners who have limited mobility or have trouble lifting wood for the fire over a single panel fireplace screen.
Bowed Fireplace Screens
Bowed fireplace screens have a really nice modern look to them and look fantastic in midcentury modern homes that have fireplaces. They do need to be moved out of the way in order to put wood on the fire or tend to the fire so people who have trouble lifting heavy objects should avoid this type of fireplace screen and choose a fixed screen instead.
Bowed screens are also not suitable for any fireplace that has an uneven hearth because they have no balancing feet on the bottom instead they have handles on the top to make them easier to move.
Child Proof Fireplace Screens
If you have children or pets then you should get a childproof fireplace screen. These screens are designed to sit back away from the hearth of a fireplace or woodstove to make sure that children and pets don’t get close enough to the fire to get hurt. Pets especially are drawn to the warmth of the fire and need to be protected by a screen so that they don’t inadvertently get too close to the fire and get burned.
Summer Fireplace Screens
For the spring and summer, you can use a lovely summer fireplace screen to make sure that pets and kids don’t get into the fireplace. You want to make sure that the fireplace is protected from damage, dust, and debris while it’s not being used.
The most popular summer fireplace screens usually have candles of various sizes attached to a metal screen but there are many other styles as well so that homeowners can find exactly the right one for their home.
Fireplace Maintenance 101
Fireplace screens enhance the appeal of a fireplace and it's designed to protect the hearth area. However, many homeowners skip out on important fireplace maintenance chores that can improve the efficiency and safety of any fireplace (read about gas fireplace maintenance here). The most important function of a fireplace is a clean chimney and it starts with an inspection and sweep. Contact us today to speak with a specialist!
