Articles by AJ Drake on ArticleSnatch.com

Wool Hearth Rug Use And Benefits

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:30:24 -0500

Wool hearth rugs are both decorative and functional. They are used to provide protection for the underlying floor from sparks and burning coals that may escape from your fireplace or wood stove. They are also used for decor as well as comfort when kneeling in front of the fireplace or wood stove during routine maintenance. Fire Resistance Wool is a natural fire retardant. It has a low rate of flame spread. This means that if that if you put a burning coal on your wool hearth rug, the wool where the coal was placed would char. The char is insulating and self-extinguishing eliminating the further spread of fire. The charring results in less smoke and toxic gases that other flooring materials. A wool hearth rug also will not melt or drip which could cause more problems for the underlying floor. Wool carpets have long been used where safety is a priority, such as trains and air crafts. Wool is also used in clothing for fire-fighters and others that have the threat of fire. Water And Stain Resistance Wool fibers are hydrophobic which means they repel water. **End Summary** Topics: fireplace grates]]> fireplace grate]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> AJ Drake webmaster www.fireplacescreensandaccessories.com hearth rugs

Fireplace Grates And Why You Should Have One

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:26:43 -0500

Fireplace grates are a very important fireplace accessory. They are second only to the fireplace screen which keeps the fire contained in the firebox. Fireplace grates are available in many shapes and sizes to accommodate all styles of fireboxes. They are crucial to your fireplace burning at peak efficiency. What Is A Fireplace Grate A fireplace grate is a device used to raise logs off the firebox floor for the purpose of containing the logs and creating airflow to produce a hot fire. The most common grate is a series of evenly spaced bars held up by four legs. The bars are flat in the middle with the ends bent upward to hold the logs. There is a self feeding variation of this fireplace grate. The main difference is that the middle of the bars continue bending down creating a U shape instead of being flat. There are also basket style fireplace grates. Just as the name suggests, they are shaped like baskets. The sides have evenly spaced straps of iron which allow for airflow. This basket sits up on four legs to elevate it off the firebox floor. **End Summary** Topics: fireplace grates]]> fireplace grate]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> AJ Drake webmaster www.fireplacescreensandaccessories.com fireplace grates

All About Copper Fireplace Screens And More

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:52:52 -0500

When someone decides to buy a copper fireplace screen, they are probably thinking " that color will go really nice with my drapes". Which is fine, you do want your colors to coordinate. However, that is probably where their thought about copper ends. It is true that copper makes a beautiful fireplace screen. It coordinates great with the warm colors of a room which are the reds, yellows and oranges. There are also many other facts about copper that many people do not know. History Copper has a history of use that dates back to 10,000 years by some of the oldest civilizations. Alloying copper with zinc or tin makes brass or bronze which dates back to shortly after the use of copper itself. It is believed that copper was one one the first metals used by man next to gold and some irons. Color In it's pure form copper is pink or peachy in color. It is one of three element metals with a natural color other than silver or gray. Copper will go through color changes over time. It will turn blackish, brownish, reddish or tan caused by oxidation. **End Summary** Topics: copper fireplace screens]]> copper fireplace screen]]> fireplace screen]]> fireplace screens]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> AJ Drake webmaster www.fireplacescreensandaccessories.com copper fireplace screens

Log Rack Overview

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:29:20 -0500

Log racks are one of the fireplace accessories you do not want to be without. They are functional, decorative, and complete your fireplace set. There are many styles, colors, and types of log racks to choose from to fit in with any of your decor. Stack With Style Log racks bring a sense of order to your hearth. They neatly consolidate the logs and actually put them on display. It is just a nice sight to have a fire roaring with a stack of wood on deck ready for the fire. Log racks do this with style especially when they match or compliment the rest of your fireplace accessories. You can find log racks made of: copper, bronze, brass, stainless steel, pewter, wrought iron along with other finishes. Their styles also vary from straight forward to fancy with scroll work and other designs. Preserve Your Logs You will find indoor and outdoor log racks. It is very important to keep your logs off the ground and floor to keep them from decaying and getting infested with insects. It is a waste of time and money when the wood you bought or worked so hard to cut and split rots away. **End Summary** Topics: log basket]]> log baskets]]> log carrier]]> log carriers]]> log hoop]]> log hoops]]> log basket]]> log baskets]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> AJ Drake webmaster www.fireplacescreensandaccessories.com

Fireplace Screen Benefits

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:50:55 -0500

Over the years, the use of a fireplace screen has changed very little. Fireplaces are not used today as they once were. Fireplaces are no longer the main source of heat and I do not know anyone who uses theirs for cooking. However, the fireplace screen still plays a vital role in today's fireplace. Fireplace screens are a must for all that use their fireplace. Luckily, there are several added benefits to having this necessity. Safety First and foremost the fireplace screen is needed for safety. You must protect your family and home from flying sparks and embers. An unprotected fireplace can be disastrous. The damage can range from putting burns in the floor to burning the entire house. The second part of safety is keeping children and pets out of the fire itself. A fireplace screen will provide a barrier between your child's roaming hands and the fire. It will also keep your pets out of the fire or ashes when the fireplace is not in use. Decor Fireplace screens can be absolutely beautiful. **End Summary** Topics: ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> AJ Drake webmaster www.fireplacescreensandaccessories.com

How To Select A Fireplace Screen

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:16:44 -0500

Trying to decide which fireplace screen to buy can seem overwhelming. There are many shapes, colors, styles and sizes available. Here is some help to select the fireplace screen that is just right for you. Shape Lets start with shape. This will be the easiest decision to make. Is your fireplace opening arched or standard? If your fireplace opening is arched, you will select an arched fireplace screen with a continuous arch. If it is standard, any of the others will work as long as it fits. We will get to sizing later. Color Lets now move on to color. You will want your fireplace screen to coordinate with the dominant colors in your room. If your dominant colors are warm, such as red, yellow, orange, or a mix of any of these, your fireplace screen should be black, gold, rust, copper, bronze, brass, or any of the brown shades. If your dominant colors are cool, such as green, green-blue, blue, blue-violet, or violet, your fireplace screen should be black, white, stainless steel, pewter, or any of the silver colors. You probably noticed that a black fireplace screen works with any color scheme. **End Summary** Topics: fireplace screens]]> fireplace screen]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> AJ Drake webmaster www.fireplacescreensandaccessories.com

All About Andirons

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:06:58 -0400

The word andiron derives from the combination of the 13th-century word for iron and the Celtic word for young animal. This is believed to given the term firedogs. Andirons were often made with quite elaborate decorations with animals being the theme mainly cats and owls. Andirons, were first used sometime in the 14th century. Their function was to create airflow so the logs would not smother the tinder. Before we could turn the gas valve to light the logs, we had to start the fire with kindling. Placing heavy logs directly onto the starter fire smothers it. Andirons keep the logs elevated from the kindling allowing air flow so the kindling will burn and catch the logs. The logs will then burn apart forming coals which drop down below the andirons forming a coal bed. Simply stack more logs on the andirons and you have a great fire for the evening Andirons are made mainly from iron or brass. They range from elaborate to plain. Andirons have three legs. Two of the legs hold up the decorative posts, known as guards, and the third extends from the back which hold up the logs. **End Summary** Topics: andirons]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> AJ Drake webmaster www.fireplacescreensandaccessories.com

The Great Fireplace Grate

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:04:28 -0400

Fireplaces took a major leap forward in 1678 when Prince Rupert, nephew of Charles1, raised the fireplace grate.This increased airflow greatly improving the efficiency of the burning fire. Fireplace grates provide many benefits and a hot burning fire is one. When the logs are elevated off the firebox floor, air is pulled from under the burning logs creating a draw. This causes a cycle. The draw of air burns the logs hotter and the hotter the logs burn the more it draws. This causes the fire to burn cleaner which means less pollution and less creosote in your chimney reducing the chance of a chimney fire. A hot fire also means more heat for you. When the fireplace grate is positioned towards the back of the firebox, the heat hits the slant of the fire back. The slant of the fire back slants forward reflecting the heat out into the room. Another benefit of fireplace grates is they securely hold the burning logs in place so they are not rolling out onto your floor. This benefit should be obvious. **End Summary** Topics: fireplace grates]]> fireplace grate]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> AJ Drake webmaster www.fireplacescreensandaccessories.com

Fireplace Screen And Fireplace History

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:01:29 -0400

Ancient dwellings had a fire pit dug in the ground. The fire pit was in the center of the dwelling and smoke escaped through holes in the roof. It was a toss up of how smoke would escape and how much blew back into the dwelling. Chimneys were invented much later and partially fixed this problem. In 1678 Prince Rupert raised the grate of the fireplace which greatly improved the airflow. In the 1700's Ben Franklin developed the convection chamber which made fireplaces and wood stoves much more efficient. In the later 1700's Count Rumford designed a firebox that greatly improved the efficiency of the fireplace. His design made the opening of the firebox tall, which allowed for greater air flow, and shallow which reflects more heat out of the front. The Rumford style firebox is still the most common used today. Fireplace screens were created for two main reasons. First, they spread the heat out evenly through out the room. Second, fireplace screens contain the burning embers and flying sparks, protecting the family and home. Fireplace screens were also used to cover the the firebox in the summer months while not in use. **End Summary** Topics: fireplace screens]]> fireplace screen]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> AJ Drake webmaster www.fireplacescreensandaccessories.com

Selecting Fireplace Tools

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:58:04 -0400

Fireplace tools are important for their decor as well as their function. They are probably more important for their decor. Let's face it, you could poke your fire with any old pole, sweep up the ashes with any old broom and dust pan, and clean out the fireplace with any old shovel and bucket. However, an old beat up shovel and broom do not look very good leaning against your fireplace. Fireplace tools are very beautiful, and they are also made in the proper sizes to make them easier to work with. They also come with a rack where they are all neatly hung together. A nice fireplace tool set has many advantages over the old broom and shovel. Color The color you want will generally dictate the material the fireplace tools are made of. You can find fireplace tool sets made of copper, brass, bronze, brushed nickle, graphite, pewter, stainless steel, wrought iron, and more. With all the choices how do you decide. First of all if you like it and it makes you happy that is the one for you. If you still can not decide here are a few hints. **End Summary** Topics: Fireplace tools]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> AJ Drake webmaster www.fireplacescreensandaccessories.com