A safe fireplace screen incorporates several features. Although it would seem obvious, fireplace screens should be fireproof. A person should always check to make sure that the fireplace screen he/she can’t live without is also fire retardant. Many unique fireplace screens can be discovered at antique shops. If they can’t be fire treated, then fireplace screens bought in such places should be backed up with other screens or doors which protect against fire hazards.

Stability is another important feature for fireplace screens. They should stand up, not lean against the fireplace opening. The base of a fireplace screen needs to be wide enough to provide a firm and dependable anchor. Fireplace screens should also provide full coverage for the fireplace opening. If the fireplace screen is not going to sit flush against the opening then it should have sides which bend back to catch any errant sparks. Solid fireplace screens of treated wood or glass provide optimum coverage as do wire fireplace screens if the mesh is sufficiently fine.

Before going out to buy a fireplace screen, make specific measurements of the opening to be covered. Calculate the measurements to the nearest sixteenth and remember to measure not just the top and/or bottom but the widest portion of the opening as well. Pictures of the fireplace can also be helpful in deciding on a final purchase.

Another important but many times overlooked component of buying the proper fireplace screen is knowing what kind of fireplace the screen will protect. Fireplaces are generally masonry but they may also be constructed of prefabricated metal. A hands and knees inspection of the fireplace interior will yield the answer. The inside of a masonry fireplace will be brick. The inside of a prefab fireplace will consist of metal. A prefab interior may require special accessories including a special fireplace screen. If such is the case, take additional pictures of the fireplace interior and write down any identifying information such as a manufacturer name and model numbers.

Still, fireplace safety includes many practices other than having an effective fireplace screen. Keep the area around the fireplace free of debris and never place too many logs on the grate. The best fireplace screen may not be able to withstand a tumble of burning logs. Place a fire extinguisher close to the fireplace and store extra wood away from the fireplace itself. Never, never leave a burning fire unattended. Make sure the chimney is free of build up and have it inspected by a chimney cleaning professional at least once a year.

If a room has just become a little tired or stale changing the mantel decorations might brighten it up and make the room sparkle again. However, changing the entire fireplace mantel is not as difficult as it might first appear.

Fireplace mantels with mirrors can also be radically changed just by removing the mirror. Conversely, adding a mirror to a fireplace mantel adds a dramatic touch. Mirrors are particularly effective when used in small rooms and tend to make the area seem larger. Installing tile above the fireplace mantel or as an inset to the mantel is another option that rejuvenates the area.

Refinishing a fireplace mantel can change the entire tone of a room. A moribund, lifeless room can be enlivened by lightening the finish of the fireplace mantel. Modern wood stripping products and one step dripless finishes make refinishing fireplace mantels much less of a chore than it used to be.

When a totally new look is the desired end result, it may be necessary to remove the old fireplace mantel and replace it with an entirely different unit. This decision can result in a room with an entirely new function. Ripping out stodgy, heavy, old fashioned fireplace mantels and substituting them with modern models can turn a ho-hum room into a family gathering place. Likewise, tearing out a low end standard design fireplace mantel and replacing it with a custom designed hearth can add thousands of dollars in value to a home.

While there are many excellent prefabricated fireplace mantels that can be purchased for reasonable prices, many homeowners are choosing to update their homes with one of kind fireplace mantels. Unusual fireplace mantels can be found in antique stores or at estate sales. Salvage yards are another good resource for unique fireplace mantels. Some homeowners are even opting to build their fireplace mantels themselves from scratch.

When seeking to revitalize their homes many people overlook the enormous lift that refurbishing their fireplace mantels may provide. Renovating a mantelpiece can be simple and cost effective. Done correctly, upgrading a fireplace mantel also adds marketability and worth to any home.

Fireplace doors also serve an important safety function. In addition, they can increase a fireplace’s fuel efficiency.

Fireplace doors in conjunction with inner screens or curtains are among the most important lines of defense in fireplace safety for all types of fireplaces and even for fireplace inserts. Flying sparks are captured by fireplace doors. With wood burning fireplaces in the event that logs tumble off of the grate fireplace doors act as a break to keep the logs from rolling further into the room. Fireplace doors also suffocate a wood burning fire when it’s time to put the fire out.

In order for fireplace doors to function as safeguards and to decrease heat loss they must be properly installed. A handy homeowner can save $100 or more by making this a do it yourself project. However, if unsure that he/she has the know how it is best left to a professional. The cost savings on the fireplace door installation will soon be lost to the heating bill if the set-up is not done correctly. Off the shelf fireplace doors come in standard sizes which fit most standard fireplace openings. Fireplaces made of stone or other uneven building materials may require that their fireplace doors be custom fit.

Securely fit and properly used fireplace doors enhance both the safety and the energy efficiency of any fireplace or fireplace insert. Once a homeowner has ascertained that the chosen fireplace doors are both safe and conserve heat then they will be an acceptable purchase.

Fireplace doors in conjunction with inner screens or curtains are among the most important lines of defense in fireplace safety for all types of fireplaces and even for fireplace inserts. Flying sparks are captured by fireplace doors. With wood burning fireplaces in the event that logs tumble off of the grate fireplace doors act as a break to keep the logs from rolling further into the room. Fireplace doors also suffocate a wood burning fire when it’s time to put the fire out.

No matter what type of fireplace or fireplace insert a home has fireplace doors increase its energy efficiency. Properly positioned doors help to direct heat outward from wood burning and gas log units. Fireplace doors keep the heat inside fireplace inserts and thus make the units and the rooms they are heating warmer. At the end of the day or evening tightly closed fireplace doors keep accumulated room heat from escaping up the chimney. The fireplace doors should always be shut when no fire is burning. Even with the damper closed it is possible for interior heat to be lost via the vent.

In order for fireplace doors to function as safeguards and to decrease heat loss they must be properly installed. A handy homeowner can save $100 or more by making this a do it yourself project. However, if unsure that he/she has the know how it is best left to a professional. The cost savings on the fireplace door installation will soon be lost to the heating bill if the set-up is not done correctly. Off the shelf fireplace doors come in standard sizes which fit most standard fireplace openings. Fireplaces made of stone or other uneven building materials may require that their fireplace doors be custom fit.

Securely fit and properly used fireplace doors enhance both the safety and the energy efficiency of any fireplace or fireplace insert. Once a homeowner has ascertained that the chosen fireplace doors are both safe and conserve heat then they will be an acceptable purchase.

For wood burning fireplaces it is important to have a log grate that is the proper size and height. Other fireplace accessories which are important for safety are a retractable curtain which may be coupled with fireplace doors or a fire screen. A poker and a shovel are also necessary fireplace tools. The poker will aid in positioning burning logs. The shovel will be used both to move embers while the fire is burning and to clean the fireplace once the fire is out. A basket or bin to hold kindling and other fuel can also be useful. Although not specifically a fireplace accessory there should always be a fire extinguisher in close proximity to any fireplace.

Once clean up has begun a small broom and dustpan will be essential fireplace accessories. Some people also have hand vacuums which they reserve for duty cleaning out the peskiest of fireplace ashes. Fireproof buckets for the disposal of embers and ashes are also indispensable fireplace accessories. Many of these fireplace accessories come packaged as coordinated sets.

After the basic fireplace accessories are in place then it’s time to choose a few items just to enhance enjoyment of the fireplace. Special fire safe powders which turn the fire’s flames different colors can be fun on a winter night. There are also powders and incense sticks which can be added to the fire to elevate its fragrance. Fireplace accessories that make it possible to use the fireplace for light cooking are also available; these include containers for roasting corn and other vegetables. Spits for cooking meat can also be found. However, remember that using the fireplace as a stove can add considerably to clean up and maintenance. There are also special safety considerations when cooking in a fireplace. An old fashioned popcorn popper is one of the simplest fireplace accessories for cooking. Not only is it relatively safe, it requires little in the way of washing.

So once the fireplace is installed don’t forget the fireplace accessories. First buy the fireplace accessories required for safety. Second buy the fireplace accessories required for cleaning and maintenance. Third buy some fireplace accessories just for beauty and pleasure.