A flat fireplace screen fits flush against your firebox and keeps logs, embers, and sparks from landing on the hearth or entering your room. It’s a simple design that works well for most fireplaces in the home. We love this decorative version, the Plow & Hearth Crest Flat Guard Screen, which serves a functional purpose while adding a beautiful focal point to the room. A primary function of a fireplace screen is to provide a measure of safety. In the case of a wood-burning fireplace, the screen is designed to keep sparks, embers, or logs from escaping out of the hearth and into the room. The steel mesh of the screen should have a network of small openings that allow for airflow and heat transfer but aren’t so large that sparks or embers would easily pass through.

A three-panel fireplace screen is a good choice if you want to ensure that you have adequate coverage across the front of your firebox. In addition, most options with three panels are foldable, making them easier to move out of the way and more space-efficient for storage. The Pleasant Hearth Arched 3 Panel Fireplace Screen makes a great choice if this functionality is important to you.

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You might be shopping for a curved fireplace screen if you have a narrow hearth or if you want to ensure that sparks and embers won’t escape from the sides of your fireplace. The UniFlame Curved Fireplace Screen is a simple option that fits this purpose and is made of steel with a heavy-duty mesh for protection. We recommend this fireplace screen if you have hardwood floors, carpeting, or rugs and furniture in close proximity to your fireplace and you want to maximize protection against sparks or embers landing on these surfaces. Designed with an antique brass finish, this fire screen exudes a timeless elegance that complements any interior decor. Its curved front panel with a thin edge not only enhances the overall aesthetic of your fireplace but also keeps sparks and ash where they belong – inside the hearth.

It features a fine mesh screen that offers some protection against flying sparks and errant ashes, ensuring the safety of your home and loved ones. With the Mansion Fire Screen, you can enjoy the warmth and ambience of your fireplace without the hassle of constant cleanup. Embrace both style and safety with this must-have accessory today! Please note: This fire guard is not intended for child safety purposes but primarily designed for spark protection and decorative enhancement. You want to approximately match the size of your fireplace to the screen you choose. If you choose a screen that is significantly smaller than your fireplace, it won’t be as effective at minimizing these risks. This option is made of steel, has a mesh screen for spark protection, and offers a latching mechanism to keep the doors securely closed. That's an important feature. Without the doors closed, this fireplace screen will be less effective. Greenwell, home education expert and host of the TV show "My Southern Home ,"says, "Fireplace screens with large openings, without wire mesh, do not protect your home from loose embers that can land on your rugs, carpet, and other easily flammable household items." Adding to the safety features of this freestanding fireplace screen are its adjustable feet, which provide better stability if you have an uneven hearth.Fireplace screens are most commonly made of metal. Alloy steel is one of the most popular materials and usually equates to a fireplace screen that is lightweight. This can be an advantage if you frequently move your fireplace screen for storage but a disadvantage if you have children or pets that might bump into the fireplace screen. Because of the light weight of these models, they sometimes are more prone to tipping over. On the other hand, cast or wrought iron fireplace screens are among the heaviest options. While this makes them more challenging to maneuver, they’re usually fairly sturdy and durable. Durable and steady, a wrought iron fireplace screen is a practical choice. This version from Home Loft Concepts has a welded iron frame with mesh screen to shield your surroundings from the hazards of a hot fire. It has a flat panel design to fit flush against your firebox and two feet to provide balance, although it would be nice if the feet were adjustable like they are on some other freestanding fireplace screens. Kimberly Greenwell, home education expert and host of the TV show "My Southern Home," says, "The fireplace screen should always cover the entire opening to prevent embers from entering your home and children and pets from being injured by the fire." The exception may be for a ventless gas fireplace, where the screen is simply decorative or may be a deterrent to touching the hot glass. The CB2 Ledge Glass Fireplace Screen is easy to clean and care for. The tempered glass surface wipes clean with glass cleaner and a soft cloth. However, take note that there are no handles on this fireplace screen, and it becomes hot when exposed to the heat from a fire. So it’s not as ideal for situations where you may need to frequently tend to a wood-burning fire. Instead, it’s a better fit for gas fireplaces or if you don’t plan to regularly add logs to your fire.