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At one time most homes were heated by fireplaces. Today, fireplaces have become much more ornamental than decorative. Most homes depend on central heating and use the fireplace to add ambiance and charm to a room. To enhance the effect of the fireplace, fireplace screens, tool and accessories work well. These tools and accessories are available in many different styles.

While fireplace screens can add beauty to a fireplace, they also serve a very practical purpose. When burning natural wood, in is not uncommon for there to sparks that fly from the logs. The screen can keep these sparks from burning carpets or even starting a house fire. You should always have an appropriate fireplace screen in place before starting a fire in the fireplace.

A traditionally designed fireplace screen is simple and has clean lines in its design. It is able to work with almost any style home. The traditional screens are usually copper or brass. The can be a single panel or have folding multiple panels.

Other fireplace screens are antique in design. They will work well in Victorian themed rooms. The look great with the tapestries and other design items. The screens can use rounded designs with swirls, scrolls and flowers. They may be used in formal homes and require the matching fireplace tools to look their best.

There are also some screens that have been designed by very talented designers that come as a part of a fireplace set that may be perfect for your home.

To pick the correct fireplace screen you must first measure the height and width of the fireplace opening. Add twelve inches to the width and five inches to the height to get the correct size. This will give the ideal height and width of the fireplace screen for your fireplace.

The extra width allows the side panels of the fireplace screen to fold in and give it stability. This helps to keep the screen from tipping over but still cover the entire opening of the fireplace.

You will also find fan shaped fireplace screens. While many of these screens are beautiful, they do not offer adequate size to be effective at spark arresting and may allow sparks to fly out of the firebox onto nearby surfaces. Therefore, fan shaped fireplace screens should only be used for decorative purposes.

Jeff Bridges has always enjoyed the warmth received in front of the fire he currently runs a website where he sells fireplace screens. There they promote many differently styles, colors, and designs of fireplace screens.