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 for fireplace screens. One was to absorb heat from the fire inside and make it distribute through the whole room. The second reason was to keep kids and pets safe but also to keep bits of the fire from falling out causing a fire on the hearth. It was usual for the fireplace to be the cooking center of the house as well as the main source of heat.

Fireplace screens in their early times were constructed from leather or wood and sometime wicker. They were rather bland so someone decided to paint them or decorate them to make them look fancy. They painted murals on wood and leather ones and began to use metals to make them that were intricately carved. Suddenly the fireplace screen became the focal point of the room.

Fireplace screens today can prevent children and pets from getting in and keep sparks from coming out but they are mostly used to make the fireplace pretty since central heat came into fashion. Screens come in many different styles and in many different colors, shapes, and sizes that will look beautiful in the room.

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.

There are also single screens which protect better to keep the ashes in. They go right up against the fireplace and they need to be taken back to take care of the fire. Black screen is the material used to make them and there are usually brackets or handles near the top sides that helps move it. They are usually metal in nature.

You can find more decorative screens as well that are not made from screening materials at all. There are metal ones that come in shapes of different objects. One popular type is the peacock with a centralized body of the bird and the feathers cascade from the top down on all sides being big enough to fit the mouth of the fire place. There is also a fan style that works the same way. Another decorative type is made from wood and is just a square that has been painted in beautiful colors with flowers, or peacocks, and other items. These were fashioned after those in Victorian Era when everything was decorated and garish.

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 probably safe to say that every fireplace where a fire is set should be protected by some sort of fireplace screen. You can have them for protection of your family and pets or to just make a style statement in the room.

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.

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