Decorative Fireplace Screens

So you’re ready to spruce up your fireplace, huh? Good. There are many decorative fireplace screens available on the market today. But the choices can be overwhelming so here’s a brief overview.

Screens vary by the number of panels, the screen top shape and if the panels are curvy or straight. There are even single panel screens available. The one panel screens sit flush up against the opening of your fireplace if its flat, or the curved ones use the natural bowing of the panel in order to provide support.

There are also the usual tri and quad panel screens with hinges between each one.

You will typically see the standard three panel screen with the middle panel being bigger and the side panels bent in toward the hearth opening.

You will also see the chain mail screen that is mounted on a track in the opening of the fireplace and is opened and closed like curtains during a fire.

Most people who get a fireplace screen do so for the decorative nature instead of protection (although people with young children also have a bigger interest in blocking access to the fireplace). For this reason the screens come in a wide variety of styles, including those made of glass, antique versions and even stain glassed varieties. There are many beautiful options and of course they get more expensive with their degree of elegance and difficulty in creation.

You can get some great used screens from ebay. The vintage screens are some of the most popular. You can also find them at upscale home improvement stores and through various websites.

You can also get a spark guard screen which has an extra top section cover to protect sparks from flying up and over the main portion of the screen. These are also very ridged with no open hinged areas. The goal is to have absolutely no way for that spark to get into your room. I think they have less decorative value but they certainly can protect your home from a fire.