Fireplace Screens
When you think of having a fire in your fireplace on a nippy autumn evening, why do you do it? The first thing we think about when we reflect on the value of having a warm fire in the hearth is the heat it provides. So it is functional. But all of us know that many times we build a fire for other reasons. We love them because they are cozy and the crackling of the fire is so comforting. And don't forget that a fire in the fireplace is just about the most romantic thing you can have if you want something to cuddle up next to with your sweetheart.
So that fire has two values when we really start to evaluate it. It has a functional value and an esthetic one. By that we mean we both love fires because they keep us warm and because they are beautiful and add so much to the atmosphere of the room especially on a chilly night in fall or winter. So to make sure that the fireplace fulfills both functions, we take care to make sure the hearth is safe and that it looks great when the time comes to have that happy crackling fire in the firebox.
One time that lines up with both of those objectives that are a real must, especially if you are going to have a wood fire in your fireplace is a screen to put in front of the fire. The functional value of a screen to block the fire in the fireplace from the room is by far the most important job it has. Yes, we want those screens to be attractive. But when a piece of wood "pops" in the fireplace and sends an ember toward the room, that screen is there to bat it back into the firebox protecting the carpet, people in the room and many times preventing a fire that could damage the house severely. That is no small job for a simple screen.
Along with that obvious value of stopping the fire from coming out of the fireplace, the screen also sends a message to anyone who might feel they might go play in the fire. It is a gentle block to children, pets or even adults that they should stay clear of the fire just in case something happens in that blaze. After all, a fire is not a tame event even though we have it trapped to the fireplace. So the screen guards the fire and civilizes it or at least makes it behave itself.
Screens that we put on our fireplaces also can be a big part of your decorating scheme. Any visit to a store that sells fireplace accessories will demonstrate that you can get as ornate and fashionable in the screens and tools you use for the fireplace, as you want to get. In that way screens for the fireplace serve both functions. They can be very beautiful and contribute to the mood and atmosphere of the room. And they will always be very functional and an important part of your safety when enjoying that warm fire in your fireplace.