Fireplace Screens Providing Security, Efficiency, Well Being, And Fashion

Fireplace screens where a necessity in the past for safety and efficiency reasons. An Old fireplace may take up an entire wall and be around 5 feet tall. It was easy for children and pets to walk right into them so a screen kept them out. It was not until the late 1700's, that Count Rumford designed a fireplace that was smaller and more efficient. His design is still used today. Fireplace screens were invented in the seventeenth century to go along with the smaller openings. They kept the smoke from coming into the room and ashes were kept inside the fireplace.

There were two reasons to use a fireplace screen. One reason was that they would absorb heat from the fire in the fireplace and evenly distribute it within the room. Another reason was to provide safety. It would prevent children from coming too close to the fire and would also prevent embers and sparks from tumbling from the fireplace and onto the wooden floor which could start a disaster. During this time fireplaces were used constantly as a place to prepare dinner and to heat the room in winter.

Early fireplace screens could be made of wood, leather, and wicker. At some point in time someone got the idea to decorate them and make them look more fashionable. They would paint wooden and leather screens and eventually they started to be made out of metals with decorative features. Pretty soon fireplace screens became the focal point of the whole room.

Fireplace screens of modern day do keep the ashes in and children out but they are used more for decoration. Most homes do not depend on fireplaces for heat. Fireplace screens can be purchased in many different sizes, shapes, colors and styles.

You can get folding screens that usually come in 3, 4, or 5 panels. They can be propped open in front of the fire place opening. They come in a variety of finishes from wrought iron to gold or silver edged. A three panel is about the right size for most modern fireplaces and these a basic folding screen can be purchased inexpensively.

Single Screens can give better protection from sparks. They can be placed right up to the mouth of the fireplace and have to be removed in order to get to the fire. They are usually made from a black screen material and may have handles near the top and at each side to move it that are brass or another metal.

Decorative screens are very popular and are not made from screen material but other more decorative material. Metal screens come in a variety of shapes and depict animals or other objects. A frequently popular one is in the shape of a peacock with the body at the center and the feathers falling from the center to the floor. Another is a fan which looks similar to the peacock. You can also find squares of wood designed to fit over the edges of the fireplace and have murals of flowers or birds and other items painted in folk art style. They imitate the ones used during the Victorian Times when ornate was the fashion.

The screens that are placed inside the fire box and surround it are probably the safest. There is a screen that can be pulled to each side of the fire place so that more logs can be added. They also come with glass panels that pull aside to get to the fire box. They will keep those sparks inside and pets and children out allowing one to get to the fire when necessary.

It is a good thing for all fireplaces to have some sort of firescreen in place just for safety's sake. They will protect your family and pets and look nice in the process.

Jeff Bridges has always enjoyed the warmth received in front of the fire he currently runs a website where he sells fireplace screens. There they promote many differently styles, colors, and designs of fireplace screens.