Glass fireplace screens are the most practical accessories you can choose to add to an existing traditional fireplace. Adding beauty to the fireplace, these screens also add a large safety factor.
What exactly is a glass fireplace screen? Any device made from glass which is intended to fit in front of the fire in a fireplace is a glass screen. It doesn’t matter whether the fire inside the fireplace is burning wood, gas, pellets, corn or another type of fuel, the screen contains the fire inside the fire box so that no ashes or embers can pop out into the room, enhancing the safety of operating a fireplace.
There are two types of glass used in manufacturing glass fireplace screen: tempered and ceramic. Both types of glass are made to withstand the intense temperatures generated by the fire. Because the glass is sturdy, it is difficult to break or scratch. Tempered glass fireplace screens are not quite as strong as ceramic glass fireplace screen but are less expensive. Either type of glass will serve well in most home applications.
Today, many homes are built with in-wall fireplaces which are fitted with glass fireplace screens in the form of glass doors. Older homes were not built with this accessory incorporated into the fire pit design. Fortunately, it is not difficult or even very expensive to update an older fireplace to include a glass fireplace screen.
Technology has come a long way from the days when a big open masonry in-wall fireplace was common in homes. Today, fires used inside the home as a source of heat or for cooking are much more efficient. The glass screens on fireplaces add to this efficiency, making a big difference in the cost of heating as well as providing a more ecologically-friendly heat source. By keeping more heat within the home during cold months and preventing cold air from leaking out of the home during the hot months, you’ll save money all year long by investing in a quality glass fireplace screen. A glass screen which fits tight to the fireplace can easily eliminate air leaks by as much as 92%.
Maintaining glass fireplace screens is simply, easy and quick. Most doors have an air vent for circulation and this vent will need to be wiped down periodically, at least every few days during peak usage season. The fire screen itself can be occasionally wiped down with a damp cloth and dried with a soft, dry cloth when the screen is completely cooled to remove any fingerprints and smudges which may have gathered.