Fireplace Screen Tips And Trends
Freelance Writer
Fireplace screens offer more than just a mesh plate to cover
your fireplace opening. Fireplace screens are an opportunity to
create a safer, more decorative look while disguising a
functional fireplace opening or guarding a hot fireplace
enclosure.
Fireplace Screen Elements
Before you shop for your fireplace screen, it’s helpful to know
what parts are included. For a single plate, you’re looking at
one center panel—either curved to stand on its own or with
stands attached—and a glass screen or mesh insert. For folding
fireplace screens, additional parts are the hinges, side panels
and handles which make it easier to adjust.
Fireplace Screen Safety
According to fireplace screen distributor John S. Adams,
current trends reflect today’s families who gather in living
rooms turned family rooms. “A lot of families are looking for
protection for their kids and pets, whether the fireplace is
gas or wood-burning,” Adams explains. “Even if it’s a gas
fireplace, the glass (enclosure) gets unbelievably hot.”
Adams says that need for safety affects the fit of fireplace
screens. “People want a screen that’s flat against the
fireplace,” he says. “People don’t want something that juts
out. It should be flush, and (one that) fits tight against the
fireplace opening.”
Fireplace Screen Finishes
Fireplace screens come in a variety of finishes, and, according
to Adams, today’s families love a clean, elegant look.
“Basically they want the natural iron or black or brushed steel
and pewter,” he says, adding the traditional polished brass
isn’t as popular. “People are doing a lot of Mission style
decorating, which is a plain, very simple appearance.” Another
sign of the times? Better manufacturing, which Adams says is
producing a finer quality of metal fireplace screen finishes.
Focusing On Your Fireplace Screen
Although more and more families are opting for a streamlined
look, Adams does concede that some are going beyond casual.
“People also do very decorative things and get all the bells
and whistles,” he says. Decorative fireplace screens may have a
dramatic, painted scene in the center; they may feature a
cracked, distressed style; or these fireplace screens may catch
the firelight on curlicues or metal grapevines twining along the
top or bottom. Decorative fireplace screens can also be helpful
by providing a place to start when re-decorating. They can
point the way to other style elements like the color palette of
your living room, to the kind of sofa that will be placed near
your fireplace screen.
Choosing Your Fireplace Screen
Now that you’ve decided on curved or flat, single- or
multi-panel, antique copper or hammered iron, you’ll need to
measure your fireplace opening to get the perfect fit. “You
want good coverage with narrow, fine mesh—you don’t want great
big holes,” Adams instructs. “Make sure the fireplace screen
covers the opening appropriately. It should not be too big or
too small.” There is no “standard size” for a fireplace, so
grab a tape measure and figure out the height and width of your
fireplace opening. Add a few extra inches for a single-plate
fireplace screen, and up to 10 additional inches on the sides
and up to five on the top for a folding or curved fireplace
screen. You’ll want to make sure a folding fireplace screen can
be opened wide enough to completely cover the fireplace opening
without tipping over.
Fireplace screens make the ultimate statement about safety and
style for your living room. With a complete line of stunning,
unique and even hard-to-find finishes like bronze and copper
from Brick-Anew, it’s easy to incorporate your fireplace screen
into a total new look for your home.
About The Author: By a Freelance writer sponsored by
http://www.brick-anew.com/ that
provides fireplace glass doors:
http://www.brick-anew.com/glass-doors/fireplace-glass-doors.html
Brick-Anew has been a providor of fireplace paint & accessories
since 1997.
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