As the centerpiece of your living room, your fireplace should possess a combination of beauty and functionality. Adding a screen to your home’s fireplace can elevate its appearance and create a stunning focal point for your space. A screen is also a great way to add flair to whatever style you’re going for. Whether it’s classic, modern, or rustic, your fireplace screen will contribute to your space’s ambiance.

However, shopping for a fireplace screen is more than just a design choice. These accessories come in a variety of sizes and materials which should be carefully assessed before making a purchase. Finding a screen that suits your design and functional needs can be tough, but we’ve compiled a comprehensive buyer’s guide to guide you in your search.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FIREPLACE SCREENS? 

We already know that these accessories can help bring together your space’s interior design, but there are other benefits to consider as well. The main functional purpose for fireplace screens is protection. These stylish barriers can help keep your family safe and bring you peace of mind when you have small children in the house. The same applies to curious pets who like to linger around the fire. Screens block heat and active flames from coming into contact with people or animals in the home, therefore eliminating the risk of burns or other serious injuries.

Fire, even when in controlled environments like a fireplace, comes with various risks. In the case of an emergency, fireplace screens can help block an out-of-control fire from spreading and damaging your space. Furnishings that are flammable or nearby a fireplace will remain behind the protective shield when a screen is in use. The same applies to your floors, which can be easily damaged when exposed to extreme heat or fire. All fire-related damages and injuries are preventable, and adding a screen to your home’s fireplace is a step in the right direction.

TYPES OF FIREPLACE SCREENS

Fireplace screens, like with other design elements, come in various types to offer homeowners plenty of options. The material, style, and size of your fireplace screen will depend on multiple factors. Here is what to expect when shopping for a screen:

MATERIALS:

Screens typically come in two materials: metal mesh and glass. For some, this may purely feel like an aesthetic choice (and to a certain degree, it is), but there is more to consider. Choose a material that suits the design of your living space but also fits your lifestyle.

A metal mesh fireplace screen can be found in various design styles while still providing optimal protection and heat circulation. For homeowners who live in colder climates and are looking to improve the heat circulation in their homes, a metal mesh screen might be the right option for them. This material allows heat to permeate its barrier and adequately warm your home, while still offering protection from sparks.

A glass fireplace screen offers a versatile and timeless look that can go with just about every interior design. Its glass barrier offers more protection from sparks than metal mesh, making it a safer option for households that have small children. The only downside to glass fireplace screens is that it prevents heat from properly circulating in space, and will hinder the max amount of heat output into a room. It’s suggested that homeowners who are looking to warm their home with their fireplace consider this factor before making a decision. This is another question of functionality vs design.

STYLES

As an accessory to your space, screen doors come in many different styles and have varying options for customization. Let’s go over the styles you will encounter while shopping for your screen.

Stationary vs. Hinged: Superior fireplace screens come as either stationary or hinged. The first option consists of one solid piece that sits in front of your fireplace. This style sometimes comes with wheels for mobility, can be flat, or curved. From a design perspective, this style gives off a streamlined look, meaning there isn’t much room for customization. Hinged fireplaces screens allow you to play around with both its functionality and appearance. These pieces come with adjustable doors that allow you to control the amount of heat circulation coming through, as well as how much of your fireplace guests can see. With the hinged look, you can let your guests see a crackling fire from a distance and then close it when people gather near the hearth.  Hinged screens with top handles are a bonus because owners can adjust their unit safely with minimal heat exposure.

Traditional: If you’re looking for a screen that is functional with a neutral style, look no further than the traditional look. These fireplace screens are usually made of metal mesh, glass, brass, or copper, and can be forged in whatever shape you’re looking for. This is an option that will last you the test of time with its durability and ability to blend in with almost any interior.

Scenic: These fireplace screens act as both a source of protection and a work of art. Scenic screens usually depict beautiful landscapes, signs of nature like leaves or flowers, or even animals. These scenes can be made from stained glass or forged metal, and range from antiquated to contemporary styles. The material you choose will determine how much heat permeates your scenic screen’s barrier. This is a great option for bringing the great outdoors into your home.

Contemporary: This style acts as a complete 180 from scenic screens. Contemporary fireplace screens are sleek & modern and lack all the ornamentations commonly found in older styles. These screens add elegance to your home without any extra frills and can be manufactured in both metal and glass.  Modern fireplace screens fit with any interior design, it is even possible to make a gold fireplace screen. 

Antique: For homeowners who are interested in transporting their space into a different era, antique-style screens might be what you’re looking for. Antique fireplace screen is a broad term that can encompass a wide range of styles. They include hip Mic-Century Modern screens to ornate brass Victorian-era screens that blend well with regal spaces. Choose from Art Nouveau pieces and Art Deco geometrics for a unique accessory to your fireplace. These screens are a good way to mix in some vintage charm to your space, whether it's contemporary or classical.

SIZING

Now that you’ve decided what style of fireplace screen you are looking for, it’s time to ensure that it will fit in your space. Sizing can be extremely simple or slightly tricky depending on the type of fireplace screen you’re buying. For example, single panel screens are the easiest to size because of their simplicity, whereas multi-panel screens that have curves or other features can be trickier. Doors are another factor to consider when figuring out sizing. Fireplace screens usually come with either freestanding or built-in doors, which affect sizing in different ways.

Screens with built-in doors fit exactly onto your fireplace; therefore, the screen’s dimensions are for the doors themselves, not the screen. Freestanding doors are doors that are built into the screen (not to be confused with the built-in doors we previously discussed). The dimensions you see for screens with freestanding doors are for the screen itself, not just the doors.

When it comes to assessing what size of screen you need for your fireplace, a good rule of thumb is to add 10-12 inches in width and 3-5 inches in height.

SAFETY

While a fireplace screen is a great way to combine safety and beauty to your home fireplace, it is still crucial that you follow standard safety protocols. For starters, it is still recommended that you have your fireplace inspected once a year. The same applies to cleanliness. A professional chimney sweep should assess your chimney on a yearly basis to prevent the build-up of soot and other debris in your fireplace. Failure to do so can prevent proper ventilation which will place your family at risk. Hazardous byproducts like smoke, ash, and even carbon monoxide can accumulate in your home if these steps are not followed. Fireplace screens can protect you, your loved ones, and your home from the danger of sparks, but not airborne hazards.

It is also strongly encouraged that you keep furnishings, plants, and other potentially flammable materials away from your fireplace screen. Spark protection varies from model to model, as well as what material your screen door is made from. Heaving small items or flammable materials near your hearth only increases the risk of accidental fires in the home.

Lastly, fireplace screens can generate heat due to their close proximity to fire. This makes them still potentially dangerous to small children or animals in the case that their surface temperature increases. Prevent burn injuries by keeping these members of your household a safe distance from fireplace screens at all times.

When used safely, fireplaces can be the ultimate source of comfort and warmth in your home. Adding a fireplace screen to your hearth will add a touch of flair and customization to this centerpiece, as well as added safety to keep your home safe. As with all fire-related equipment, make sure to have an educated decision on what kind of material and style works for your space.

Looking For Your Next Fireplace?

Fireplace Deals’ inventory has dozens of design options for your perfect installation—whether you’re focused on a more efficient burn or having the most inviting centerpiece for your next family get-together. If you'd like to speak with one of our NFI-certified experts send us an email or call us at 866-848-3473. Browse our selection to learn more. Or check out these other articles from our Learning Center:

• Fireplace Racks Buyer’s Guide
• Fireplace Tools Buyer's Guide
• Mounting a TV above your Fireplace