How To Choose Fireplace Screens That Will Compliment Your Home: Function And Design

By Jeff Bridges

If you are one of the fortunate with a fireplace in you home, you know how enjoyable it can be. Especially in cooler weather and around the holidays, nothing is more enjoyable than curling up next to a blazing fire in your own home. Fireplaces are no longer necessities, but luxurious and decorative. While they are a luxury, it is necessary to take some precautions to ensure that your home is protected from a potential fire. One of these necessary precautions are fireplace screens.

Have you ever been around a fire and noticed sudden "pops" caused by air pockets in the wood? Sometimes when this occurs, pieces of burning woods and ash are thrown from the fire. In your home, this could pose a great hazard, especially if you have carpets or other materials around your fireplace. This is why fireplace screens are important.

When choosing a fireplace screen, it is important to make sure you purchase the proper size. These screens come in various shapes and sizes. Measure the width and height of your fireplace and add 10 to 12 inches to the width and 3 to 5 inches to the height. This is the ideal size you should look for. This extra size allowance ensures that the screen can fold properly and will not tip over.

You will also need to choose whether a single or double paneled screen is best for your fireplace. The simplest fireplace will use a single panel; this screen can be easily placed in a straight line across the fireplace. Multi-paneled screens can be slightly more complicated, but they can also be more decorative. This option really depends on what type of person you are and whether you are more interested in simplicity and function or design and decor.

There are various designs of fireplace screens available. You will want to find a screen that fits into the general decorating scheme of your home and compliments it. Fireplaces are often the focal point of the room they are in, and a fireplace screen can be a nice addition to make it more attractive and draw the eye away from the darkness of the fireplace.

As far as design, this will also depend on the decor of your home and your personal style. There are traditional screens, which are more classic and simple. Antique screens are elegant and usually feature designs with scrolls and curves. Designer screens are for the more modern touch, and outdoor screens are usually black to go with almost any decor scheme.

There are many different colors and finished available in fireplace screens. The color you choose should compliment the dominant color of the room in which it will be placed. - 30198

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