Fireplace Screen Elements

Before you shop for your fireplace screen, it's helpful to know what parts are included. For a single plate, you're looking at one center panel—either curved to stand on its own or with stands attached—and a glass screen or mesh insert. For folding fireplace screens, additional parts are the hinges, side panels and handles which make it easier to adjust.

Fireplace Screen Safety

According to fireplace screen distributor John S. Adams, current trends reflect today's families who gather in living rooms turned family rooms. “A lot of families are looking for protection for their kids and pets, whether the fireplace is gas or wood-burning,” Adams explains. “Even if it's a gas fireplace, the glass (enclosure) gets unbelievably hot.”

Adams says that need for safety affects the fit of fireplace screens. “People want a screen that's flat against the fireplace,” he says. “People don't want something that juts out. It should be flush, and (one that) fits tight against the fireplace opening.”

Fireplace Screen Finishes

Fireplace screens come in a variety of finishes, and, according to Adams, today's families love a clean, elegant look. “Basically they want the natural iron or black or brushed steel and pewter,” he says, adding the traditional polished brass isn't as popular. “People are doing a lot of Mission style decorating, which is a plain, very simple appearance.” Another sign of the times? Better manufacturing, which Adams says is producing a finer quality of metal fireplace screen finishes.

Focusing On Your Fireplace Screen

Although more and more families are opting for a streamlined look, Adams does concede that some are going beyond casual. “People also do very decorative things and get all the bells and whistles,” he says. Decorative fireplace screens may have a dramatic, painted scene in the center; they may feature a cracked, distressed style; or these fireplace screens may catch the firelight on curlicues or metal grapevines twining along the top or bottom. Decorative fireplace screens can also be helpful by providing a place to start when re-decorating. They can point the way to other style elements like the color palette of your living room, to the kind of sofa that will be placed near your fireplace screen.

Choosing Your Fireplace Screen

Now that you've decided on curved or flat, single- or multi-panel, antique copper or hammered iron, you'll need to measure your fireplace opening to get the perfect fit. “You want good coverage with narrow, fine mesh—you don't want great big holes,” Adams instructs. “Make sure the fireplace screen covers the opening appropriately. It should not be too big or too small.” There is no “standard size” for a fireplace, so grab a tape measure and figure out the height and width of your fireplace opening. Add a few extra inches for a single-plate fireplace screen, and up to 10 additional inches on the sides and up to five on the top for a folding or curved fireplace screen. You'll want to make sure a folding fireplace screen can be opened wide enough to completely cover the fireplace opening without tipping over.

Fireplace screens make the ultimate statement about safety and style for your living room. With a complete line of stunning, unique and even hard-to-find finishes like bronze and copper from Brick-Anew, it's easy to incorporate your fireplace screen into a total new look for your home.