The Importance Of A Fire Place Screen

Fireplace Screens and Their Importance

When it comes to fire place tools, fire place screens really weren't a part of the family until recently, although why they weren't thought of sooner is a bit of a mystery to us. They offer fireplace safety, however, fireplace screens are a fairly recent addition to fireplace tools. While you may assume that they have been around for as long as the fireplace, fireplace screens are an invention that is relatively recent.

In the beginning, fire place screens were simply about function. They weren't handsome home decor items by any stretch, but they were essential for keeping out of control logs and burning embers in the fireplace where they belong. Eventually someone made the decision to build on the initial invention and made fire place screens not only practical but also attractive pieces that protect the home from burning embers and flames. And why not? You'll see it a lot, shouldn't you enjoy it?

The history behind fireplace screens generally explains the two reasons people have them in their homes: safety and beauty.

Where safety is concerned, there are some reasons, some of which may be less obvious to you why you need a fireplace screen in front of your fire.

One obvious reason for a firescreen is safety from burning logs. Logs will move, splinter and roll without much warning. Without a fire screen those hot logs might come rolling from the fireplace and on to the floor. A fire place screen that is well placed contains burning logs and could save your home from fire. At the very least it will keep your family safe.

The following reason for a fire place screen is a little less obvious. Though you may assume that the fire secured, there will always be embers and ash that try to fly into the air. That burning ash can can wind up in your home without a screen to hold them in. A good fireplace screen will also keep other burnt ashes from getting tracked through your home. That means less polluted air and mess around your house. And, fireplace screens are a good deterrent for children and pets, since it will create a kind of wall in front of the fire.

Beyond cleanliness and safety, another reason for a fireplace screen is because they can be so beautiful. It might surprise you how many people never even use their fireplaces but love the way a decorative fireplace screen looks in front of the opening. If you would like fire light to emphasise your fire place screen, consider one made using colored glass. Fire light will offer a colorful glow that fills the room. Other possibilities are metal fireplace screens that feature woven designs to create an image or scene when the firelight shines through it. For households that don't use their fire place, there are also artist created screens. These hand painted screens are placed in front of the fire place. More often than not, these shouldn't be used in front of a real fire, because the screen could be ruined.

For more information on fire place tool sets and what they're used for, fire place screens with doors and the way to to measure your fire place opening for the right screen, or ways to coordinate your fireplace tools for a look that's more unified, see www.fireplacescreensetc.com

Pamela Tice is a writer and expert on home decoration and fire place screens. For further information on fire place tools and how they should be used, measuring your fire place opening, or ways to coordinate your fire place and tools for a more unified look, go to http://www.fireplacescreens.com.