Fireplace Screens and Tools
A fireplace can indeed deliver many years of enjoyment, but you have got to get the right tools to make the fire building process as easy as possible. Like most of the things we truly enjoy, a fireplace takes effort to keep working right and available for use. Perfection is really in the details, like it says at http://www.fireplacescreensetc.com, so be sure your hearth is prepared. We would like to suggest certain wood stove accessories to keep in mind as you're selecting what to buy for your hearth.
Fireplace firebacks were first introduced in Europe and were then exported to the United States during the Colonial period and are again gaining popularity for both functional use as well as their appeal aesthically. Cast-iron firebacks are set inside the opening of the fireplace toward it's backwall. They help retain heat as well as protect the backwall. Instead of permitting the heat to go up the chimney the firebacks will absorb the heat. Then, for several hours after the fire has died out, the fireback will continue to circulate heat throughout the surrounding space.
Brass fireplace tool sets should at least include a poker, broom, and a shovel. You'll want to keep your hearth area free of ash because this will often suffocate fires making it quite hard to keep a good flame going. The poker is to help move the logs around so that the wood burns evenly. Without these tools, you will not be able to fully handle or maintain a fire.
Fireplace screens, like any equipment for your hearth, must first be the proper size for your specific fireplace. Second, they need to match the other hearth accessories or the space will be filled with pieces that don't match and will detract from the feel and look of the room overall. Keep in mind, purely decorative glass fireplace screens will not prevent sparks from damaging your floor, and they will be damaged if you put them in front of a roaring fire. So, you should consider how you will use the screen and then concentrate on finding the one that best suits your taste, home decor, and budget.
For a fire to function correctly, it's got to be able to breathe. A fire draws the majority of its oxygen from below, which is why you should get a fireplace grate or even an andiron. Fireplace grates will elevate the wood from the floor of the hearth so a fire will breathe and continue burning. The grate size you will need will depend on how large or small the fireplace opening is. Some grates can hold more, but usually they hold between 5-6 medium-sized logs inside. You'll want the length of the grate to be at least 4-6 inches short of what the hearth opening measures in order for the oxygen to feed the fire properly.
Nowadays, andirons are mostly used for decorative reasons to add to your hearth's appeal, but they also may be used functionally in place of a fireplace grate. Solid Brass Andirons stand upright and always have some sort of shank running crosswise to raise wood higher than the hearth floor. This special fireplace accessory can have either short or long shanks. A shank that's longer holds more firewood so you can have a larger fire. Many of these wood holding accessories are especially made to add to your current hearth decor. For example, a matching set of cat andirons may feature reflective eyes that illuminate while a fire is actively burning in the fireplace creating a beautiful effect that adds style to your decor of the room.
Fireplace candle holders are a perfect addition to an unused fireplace during the warmer months. These hearth accessories will often have fancy scroll work and can fit many candles which come together to create the cozy glow of a real fire. While not in use, you can prominently place the decorative candelabra above the mantle and still enhance the decor of the hearth.
Wood baskets make fantastic accessories and can be functional and aesthetically pleasing. You will find that these lovely hearth accessories are made to match other fireplace necessities like your tools and screen. By purchasing an accentuating basket, you'll both tie in the hearth decor and at the same time keep wood next to the fireplace for those nights when you don't want to go out to get it from storage. Lastly, you will need to have a log carrier that will allow you to haul firewood from the outside rack to the basket by the fireplace. A log carrier allows you to not only transport more wood inside, but they will also help keep your flooring and clothing free from debris, dirt, and bark.
Even though there are a lot of details that should be remembered when you operate a fireplace, in truth the hearth will more than likely bring you more satisfaction and joy than any other fixture in your house. Just be sure to use a grate or andirons to elevate wood from the floor and remember to keep it clean with your fireplace accessories and tools. Avoid flying sparks with a spark guard or fireplace screen and always remember, a clean hearth is a happy hearth!
About the Author
Pamela Tice currently owns numerous niche home decor stores. Discover more about accessories for your fireplace as well as starting a fire in your fireplace by searching Fireplace Screens Etc. now.
