Fireplace Screens Protecting against Scorching and Burning
Fireplace screens can help protect your floors and carpets from burns and sparks from your fireplace. They come in so many varieties these days that you should have little trouble finding the right screen for your fireplace.
There are a number of things you need to keep in mind when you go about your search for a screen to put in front of the fireplace. These include issues related to safety, functionality and looks.
As far as safety is concerned the screen needs to cover the entire opening of your fire place. Having space on either side, or having a sliding screen that doesn't quite close can let sparks escape. Also you need to be sure that the size of the mesh on the screen is small enough to stop anything from flying out while the fire is burning and crackling away.
For function it needs to fit your use. If you don't burn very often a more decorative screen may be OK, but if you're like me and have a fire regularly, you'll want a screen that opens easily to allow simple access to the fireplace so you can add wood and clean out the ashes with very little fuss. If you have to physically remove the screen every time you need access it can be a real hassle.
Finally make sure that the look of your fire place screen matches your room's decor and your own personal taste. You aren't going to want a Victorian Twisted Iron screen if your room has a modern design to it.