Unless you have a large house with extremely high ceilings, it can be difficult to find a fireplace screen that fits perfectly in the structure of your home. This is especially true if you’re living in an older building that wasn’t built with fireplaces in mind. Fortunately, there is no reason to settle for an ill-fitting screen when there are so many models to choose from.

The way to find the best fireplace screens that fit your home is by considering the size of your fireplace, its placement in relation to the rest of your living space, and what style suits you best aesthetically. This guide will help you decide which factors to consider when looking for a new fireplace screen and give tips and tricks for getting the best one possible.

Size and Placement of Your Fireplace

Make your decision based on the size and placement of your fireplace. Unfortunately, unless you have a huge house with high ceilings, you probably won’t be able to find a screen that fits perfectly over the opening of your firebox. However, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

You want to make sure that the screen does not stick out into the opening but is close enough to cover it when closed completely. If there are less than four inches between the fireplace and the bottom of the screen, it may be difficult for air to flow through easily. A crackling fire is not the only reason you want good airflow in your fireplace. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, fresh air must flow into and out of the opening.

This is where things can get a bit complicated if your fireplace isn’t perfectly square or rectangular shaped. Before buying a screen, measure your opening and draw up a diagram of it. You can then draw your fireplace screens on paper to get an idea of how big they are, which will help you decide if they’ll look right in the space.

Style

There are many different styles of fireplace screens, and choosing one is really up to your taste. You can find Victorian or contemporary designs in almost any material you like. But, first, decide whether you want a screen that takes up most of the opening, leaving only narrow gaps for air (good for fireplaces used with gas logs) or one that leaves more of the opening exposed for a less obstructed view.

Choosing a material is also largely dependent on what you like and how often you use your fireplace. A screen made of cast iron, steel, or wrought iron will be more durable than one made out of wood or aluminum, but classic aesthetics can add to the overall look of your fireplace. If you’re not looking to spend too much money, go for an aluminum screen. It’s lightweight, easy to move around if necessary, and while it may get hot during use, it won’t burn or scorch like wood can.

Things to Keep in Mind

Above all else, make sure you consider safety when choosing a fireplace screen. Even if you’re using your fireplace for decoration or heating purposes, safety should be one of the first things you consider. Make sure to check the fire screen regularly to make sure it’s not warping or cracking. Also, clean out any ashes that may fall between the bars so they don’t build up and eventually catch fire.