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[W940]Wood Burning Fireplace Accessories

by Daniel Roshard, Dan

Just when you think your fireplace couldnt get any more complicated and interesting, here's something that will surprise you, especially if you're a novice fireplace owner. Fireplaces have various types of accessories. And their screens, yes, those protective little walls that you place in front of them to prevent the soot and embers from getting into the rest of your house, come in different shapes, makes, and sizes.

In the past fireplace screens were characterized just by square coverings and that was just about that no frills and designs, whatsoever. However, given the advancement of interior decoration and peoples growing and developing sense of style, there are now many fireplace screen shapes available, each with a unique purpose other than as an aesthetic.

If you have no idea what is being talked about here. (Fireplace screen shapes, what?) Here is a short guide to what is available in the market right now.

The One Panel Fireplace Screen

This is the most traditional and basic of all fireplace accessories. They have adjustable feet that may be leveled with your fireplace and come in flat panel or curved panel designs. Only the flat panel fireplace screens have feet, though, as the curved panel versions can stand on their own. Curved panel fireplace screens are flat at either sides but are slightly bowed away from the opening of the fireplace.

The Three Panel Fireplace Screen

This is the perhaps the style that is most common to fireplace bearing households. The middle part is larger than the panels on either of its side and is usually found in traditional homes.

The Four Panel Fireplace Screen

Four panel screens are not very common, but they do give a unique look to your fireplace. Because they have multiple sides, they can easily be propped up on your hearth and is perfect for the fireplaces that are relatively wider than usual. To add, tending the fire is also much easier with this kind of fireplace accessory because you will only need to fold back two panels (as opposed to taking the entire screen out with other types) to do the job.

There are some fireplace screens that have tiny access doors in the front. This is usually found in the middle panel of three panel screens. This way, you will only have to open the small door to tend to your fire. Goodbye to the ashes getting into your lovely Persian carpet! Of course, if you want this job to be done thoroughly, you might also want to get a spark guard to attach to your fireplace screen for better coverage.

A spark guard is different from a fireplace screen. Not only do they prevent sparks and ember from getting into your living room, but they also protect the house from sparks that might suddenly shoot out and burn the place. You purchase spark guards that can be attached to the screen, or you can buy spark guards that stand by themselves and are designed like most screens.

Fireplace Screens for Style and Safety

While many fireplace accessories are now merely decorative and add to the ambience of a central fireplace, there are some that also provide a certain amount of safety. One such accessory is the fireplace screen. Screens can be found in any number of designs and materials, and can add a sense of style to any room. But they also help prevent sparks and too much heat from escaping into your room and possibly harming people and/or things that may be nearby. You can choose a single panel screen or one that has multiple folding panels.

Essential Fireplace Accessories: Tools

Every working fireplace needs a good set of tools so you can maintain the fireplace and keep it looking cozy. Traditionally, these tools are made out of wrought iron, but they now come in everything from brass to pewter to graphite. The following are the essential tools that should always be within arm's reach of the fire.

The Fireplace Poker

If you want to stoke the fire, you're going to need a fireplace poker. A poker prevents you from having to get too close to the fire to move the wood around and get the fire burning stronger. You want to stay warm, but you don't want to get burned.

What are Fireplace Tongs For?
Similar to the poker, those tongs help you reach into the fire and move the wood around without putting yourself at risk of getting burned. But they also help you pick up the larger pieces of wood left in the fireplace after the fire has gone out.

Scoop Up Those Fireplace Ashes

Usually, a fire leaves behind a ton of ashes, and not large chunks of wood. To get those out ashes out of your fireplace, you're going to need a scoop.

A Fireplace Broom or Brush

Of course, you don't want to try to pick up those ashes with your hands. Make sure you have a broom or brush on hand to conveniently get those ashes into the scoop. Some brooms come with the typical long handle, and others are short for added convenience.

Stands or Hooks for Fireplace Accessories

The last component of your fireplace tool set is the stand. You can usually buy complete sets that include stands in the same material and style as the tools. You can also buy hooks that can be attached to a nearby wall and hang the tools on the hooks.

Andirons for Your Fireplace

No fireplace is complete without andirons. Andirons typically come in pairs and they are the cast iron pieces that hold up the wood or hold the grill that holds the wood. They are usually decorative and can add a specific ambience to your fireplace, depending on the design.

Even More Fireplace Accessories

Believe it or not, there are even more accessories that you might need for your home's fireplace. Log racks are a great accessory for holding your extra wood. They come for indoor or outdoor use while log carriers help you carry wood from outside to inside. A more traditional accessory is the fireback. Like andirons, firebacks are made of cast iron and are placed at the back of the fireplace to protect it, and they radiate more heat back into the room. You can also add your own sense of style or just make your fireplace homier with a hearth rug.

Using a fireplace requires a certain amount of maintenance, but with the right accessories and tools, you can keep your fireplace burning for many years to come.

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Both Daniel Roshard & Lisa Becker are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Daniel Roshard has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Security, Lawn Mower and Home Improvement. A nice Fire Place is just what you need to add character and warmth to your home this winter. Discover at. Daniel Roshard's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.

Lisa Becker has sinced written about articles on various topics from Jewelry, Home Management and Jewelry. Lisa Becker is an avid home decorator and writes for : Shop For Your Perfect Fireplace Mantel and Surround. Her expertise regarding fireplace man. Lisa Becker's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.