2 Tips For Choosing A Fireplace Screen

Summary: A fireplace screen should ideally serve two functions: improving the looks of your fireplace as well as increasing the safety of your fireplace by preventing sparks from damaging flooring, hurting children and preventing your house from being burned down. Fireplace screens come in a number of different shapes and styles. Some are meant only for looks - not safety.

Q: I have an open hearth fireplace with an old mesh screen. I don't burn in it a lot but when I do I'd like to have a different screen that not only looks better but also does it's job. Any advice on what to look for or if anything is available?

A: First of all, Yes. You have plenty of options when it comes to fireplace screens. But, let's make sure you understand all the basics.

No matter how long you age your firewood or what type you eventually burn there are air pockets and sap trapped inside. When flames reach these pockets of sap and air - they burst - and send sparks out of the fire.

A good fireplace screen not only catches these sparks (stops them actually) but also looks good doing it. If you don't at the best you'll have unsightly marks and burns on the carpet or floors beyond the hearth - or worse - your children could be hurt or injured or your house will actually burn down.

But, actually selecting a fireplace screen that is not only good looking but does it's job can be a bit tricky.

Here are some basic things to look for.

(1) Types of Fireplace Screens

Keep in mind that the types of fireplace screens on the market today are designed to sit outside the fireplace on the hearth. While there are aftermarket mesh screens that can be mounted in the actual firebox they are not as pleasing to the eye. So, for the purposes of this column we'll be talking about the types of fireplace screens that sit outside the fireplace.

Also, just as there are different locations for a screen there are also different types of materials that fireplace screens can be made from. The most common is a glass fireplace screen.

There are classic stained glass fireplace screens which look great. Particularly in a more traditional environment. But keep in mind - stained glass is decorative - not functional. The stained glass is NOT designed to arrest sparks as it cannot withstand the intense heat that a typical fire will put out.

A regular glass fireplace screen can also look great and are made with a special high heat glass that can withstand the heat that a fire will put out. But - one caveat - not all glass fireplace screens fall into this category. For example, some are purely for looks and are not designed to arrest sparks or withstand heat. And the only way to know for sure is to check with the manufacturer and look at their specifications.

There are also other components that make up a fireplace screen and plenty of options for looks.

For example, you can choose from wrought iron, pewter, chrome, steel, polished iron, copper and others. The limits of today's fireplace screens is only limited by your imagination - and your budget.

Finally, you also have the option of single panel screens or multi-panel screens (three to five panel screens).

(2) Measuring for Your Fireplace Screen

It's easy to become blinded by the beauty of your fireplace screen and forget the most critical part to the screen working properly - and that is sizing it correctly. Do it wrong and even the best fireplace screen can leave you and your family in danger. Here is how to size for the correct size screen.

As you read above, there are different sizes of and shapes of screens. The easiest to size is the single panel fireplace screen. Simply take the measurement of the length and height of the hearth opening. Then add 2 inches to each reading for a single panel screen.

If you have a folding panel screen you'll want to add 12 inches to the length measurement and 3 inches to the height measurement.

Again, failure to measure correctly for your fireplace screen will make it almost worthless in regards to safety. To make doubly sure that you are measuring correctly check the manufacturers recommendations.