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Complete Selection of Fireplace Screens, Tools and Hearth Accessories

Coordinated Fireplace and Hearth Products are the Secret To Making Your Fireplace the Focal Point of Your Room

By nature, fire places attract attention to an area, which is a reason the hearth is a common gathering point for so many people. The addition of a couple of wall sconces on each side of the mantle is a wonderful way to draw attention to your fireplace. But for a truly unified look that can’t help but make the fireplace mantle the focus of your room, try using coordinated fireplace hearth products made of similar materials and decoration. Log holders, accessories, firescreens, rugs, and wood baskets can be coordinated to unify the hearth space and make it the envy of all your guests.

Firebacks

Even though firebacks were popular throughout the 18th century in North America, they were actually invented in Europe with roots going much further back. But, in both the New and Old World, their popularity faded to all but collectors and true fireplace fanatics. However with energy costs sky rocketing to record breaking levels, everyone is looking to extract more of their heating needs from different sources like fireplaces, although they’re also looking for the most effective fireplace available. Fireplace firebacks are constructed with cast iron and retain heat (and therefore provide warmth to the room) for a long time after a fire has burned out.

Fireplace Grates

Fireplace grates are a requirement if you like to burn a wood fire in the fireplace. The grate is elevated above the surface of the hearth floor to allow air to feed the flame from underneath. It also alllows the ashes from the burning wood to fall so they do not smother the flame. When picking a grate for the fireplace it is extremely important to measure your fireplace opening correctly. You’ll need the width of your fireplace opening in the back and front (if it tapers) plus the depth of the opening to find the perfect fireplace grate. Allow a 1 to 2 inch clearance on each side.

Hearth Accessories

The amount of fireplace accessories on the market for the fireplace hearth seem only to be limited by your creativity with some of the more popular choices being: wood holders, firesets, and firescreens. But do not forget about the other accessories such as fireplace rugs that can add extra pleasure to your evening in front of the fireplace. They are also good presents for people who have everything already. Who couldn’t use a fireplace bellow ?

Fireplace Tools

What fireplace hearth isn’t more complete with some fireplace tools neatly placed to the side? While people may use them just as a stylish element in a room, firesets are some of the most necessary fireplace accessories especially if you plan on burning a real wood fire in your fireplace. In general, fireplace tool sets come with a poker, tongs, a broom, and a shovel. Everything that’s necessary in order to keep the fire burning and the hearth clear of wood debris. Keep in mind, not all fireplace tool sets are created equal. You will find a huge selection of styles, materials, finishes, and prices. If you’re looking for a tool set that is reliable enough to last a long time, then a wrought iron or brass set will be the way to go. Once you have chosen the level of quality you are looking for, then decide on a finish that will go with the rest of your other decor.

Fireplace Screens

While we all love to sit and relax by our fireplace after working hard all day, the truth is that our hearth space is an extremely dangerous placeparticularly for those of us who have both kids AND animals! Trapped gases inside the wood might cause sparks to fly from your fire. Wrought iron fire screens are necessary to safeguarding your family and house from the hazard of flying embers. They’re essential, but when coordinated correctly with your decor, it adds an individual sense of character and style to the space. So while you can get the standard screen for the fireplace that simply protects your floors and family, you can also match and coordinate the design features with the other decorations in the house for a more distinctive and full look. With that in mind, fireplace screens become decorations in their own sense.

Log Baskets and Wood Holders

Keep your firewood stored neatly with a log basket or log holder. These popular accessories for the fireplace typically appear to be more ornamental than practical, and many people use them to store their favorite magazines. But don’t undervalue the functionality of the wood basket. Lets face it, if you are burning a wood fire, where do you plan to hold your wood for the evening? Wood holders have a built in handle so you will be able to take them to your wood pile for an easy refill when needed. Standing log holders generally have a detachable log tote made of thick cloth or leather that can also be used to easily move your logs from the log pile to the log holder. Match the design and finish with your other fireplace accessories for a more complete look.

For more information and tips on fireplace gloves or fire glass screens, please visit FireplaceScreensEtc.com and sign up to receive a FREE Quick Guide to buying appropriate fireplace accessories for your home.

Fireplace Screens and Accessories

Fireplace Screens and Tools

Your fireplace can indeed bring years of enjoyment, but you should have the proper tools to make the fire building process as simple and easy as possible. Just like a lot of things we really enjoy, fireplaces take effort and time to keep working effectively and available for use whenever we like. Quality is indeed in the details, as noted at http://www.fireplacescreensetc.com, so be sure your hearth is ready. Here are certain fireplace supplies to keep in mind as you’re shopping for your fireplace hearth.

Wood baskets make terrific fireplace accessories and can be both stylish and convenient. You’ll find that these hearth accessories are made to go with other fireplace accessories like your tools and screen. If you get an accentuating basket, you will both complement the hearth decor while at the same time keep wood close by for those nights when you don’t want to run outdoors for it from storage. You will want to purchase a log carrier that will transport logs from the exterior rack to the basket by the fireplace. A carrier allows you to not only carry more wood to the house, but it can also keep your floors and clothes cleaner.

Fireplace screens, like any accessory for your hearth, must first be the correct size for your individual fireplace. Next, they should accentuate other fireplace accessories or you’ll just be filling the area with mismatching items that will detract from the feel and look of the space. You should keep in mind purely decorative glass firescreens do not prevent sparks from damaging your floor, and they will be destroyed if you place them in front of a roaring fire. So, always consider how you plan on using the screen then begin shopping for the screen that best suits your preferences, budget, and decor.

Today, andirons are generally used for decorative reasons to improve the look of your hearth, but they also might be used for practical purposes instead of fireplace grates. Solid Brass Andirons stand straight-up and always have some type of shank running perpendicular that can raise logs off the hearth floor. This special fireplace accessory may have either short or long shanks. A shank that is longer holds more firewood so you can build a bigger fire. Most of these wood holding accessories are specifically designed to add to or improve the decor of your existing hearth. For instance, two cat andirons may display eyes that reflect and light up while a fire is going in the fireplace producing a radiant effect that adds personality to the decor.

For a fire to function properly, it’s got to be able to breathe. A fire will receive the bulk of its oxygen from below, which is a reason for having a fireplace grate or perhaps an andiron. A fireplace grate will bring the logs off of the bottom of the hearth to help the fire breathe and keep on burning. The size of your grate will depend upon how large the fireplace opening is. Some grates are designed for more firewood but usually they will allow between 5-6 medium-sized logs to sit inside. You’ll want the length of the grate to be at least 4-6 inches short of the size of the hearth opening so the oxygen can properly feed the fire.

Fireplace hearth tools should have at least a poker, shovel, and a broom. You will need to keep your hearth area clean because the ash will smother fires making it really difficult to keep a good flame alive. The purpose of the poker is to move logs about so that the wood burns more evenly. If you don’t have these essential tools, you won’t be able to competently maintain or handle a fire.

Fireplace firebacks started in Europe and later were brought to the Americas during the Colonial period and are again gaining popularity for both their aesthetic appeal as well as functional use. Cast iron firebacks are fixed inside the fireplace toward it’s backwall. Their purpose is to trap the heat as well as conserve the backwall. Instead of permitting a greater part of the heat to escape up the chimney the firebacks absorb the heat. Then, for hours after the fire has died out, a fireback will continue to circulate heat throughout the space.

While there are several details that must be considered as you operate a fireplace, in reality the hearth will likely bring you more joy than any fixture in your house. Just make sure you always use a grate or andirons to elevate wood from the floor and to keep the space clean by using your fireplace accessories and tools. Avoid flying sparks by using a fireplace screen and always remember, a clean hearth is a happy hearth!

Author’s Bio

Pamela Tice currently owns numerous niche home decor stores. You may find more on andirons along with how to build a perfect fire by searching Fireplacescreensetc.com. now.

Just a few examples of the fantastic range of Firebacks available, including cast iron firebacks for open fires available at The FireBack Company www.thefirebackcompany.co.uk. Sizes go from up to 16″ all the way through to over 30″.
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