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.

Decide the material to use; choose fireplace brick for your first effort. You’ll need mortar, plastic sheeting, heat resistant tiles for floor protection, a chalk line, trowels (masonry / finishing), hammer, whisk broom, and a tuck pointer available. Here are the basic steps to building a fireplace outdoors:

1. Draw your design with measurements.

2. Place plastic sheeting around work area for surface protection and scratch prevention.

3. Mix a little mortar; attach heat resistant tiles to patio pr area where the fireplace will stand.

4. Extend the tiles to form a heart if desired.

5. Cover the laid tiles with plastic sheeting to keep moisture out, cure overnight.

6. After mortal is set, check that tiles are secure.

7. Begin laying first course of bricks. Use builder’s chalk line to mark outside line for brick placement.

8. Ensure mortar is compressed well between materials.

9. After laying second course, use tuck pointer to remove excess mortar between courses for a finished look.

10. Ensure corners are square. Continue adding courses of bricks or stones. Ensure construction is level and straight vertically and horizontally.

11. Remove excess mortar with finishing trowel.

12. Cover; cure overnight.

13. The next day, chip away any mortar lumps; whisk away debris.

14. If a chimney is planned, construct it after the base is completed. Learn how to install a flue but the other basic construction is same as fireplace base construction.

15. Construct the hearth from the same materials as the fireplace if you chose not to use tiles.

16. Place a purchased metal fire box in the fire pit; add dog-irons to hold logs. Add fireplace screen or glass doors if desired.

17. A mantle added if desired.

Glass doors on a fireplace are not only attractive but add to the safety of the functional fireplace. When any source of heat capable of generating enough heat to warm an entire room, the temperature of that heat source is hot enough to potentially burn a person or catch objects on fire if they come within direct contact with the heat source. By having glass fireplace doors, there is a wall of protection for you, your family, pets, and possessions so that these hazards are not present or are limited.

In the case of wood, gas or most alternative fuel fireplaces, there is an open flame present in the fire pit while fuel is combusting. Watching the dancing flames can be relaxing and pleasant but if debris drops into the fire, your entire house could be at risk. Also, live fires can generate sparks or hot embers can pop from an open fireplace. Even use of a fire screen is not 100% assurance that an ember cannot jump from the fire and damage flooring or cause a fire hazard. The safety factor added by fireplace glass doors is enormous.

There is another great reason to have fireplace glass doors; the heat generated by the fire in your fire pit can be contained to create convection so that a blower can circulate the air throughout the house. This feature also permits any of the combustible fuel sources to burn more completely, creating less ash to be removed and discarded, far less fumes, and air pollution; yet the doors do not limit the aroma of a natural fire burning when using an aromatic fuel source. The efficiency rating of fireplaces with glass doors is substantially superior to any fireplace which is open to the room.

Fireplace glass doors are replaceable should you ever damage or break the glass. Most doors are attached to the fireplace insert or molding with hinges and screws, making replacement easy for anyone who is handy with basic tools.

Many open fireplaces can be retrofitted to add glass doors without major renovations. An old-fashioned fireplace can easily be turned into a much more efficient and effective source of heat for your home. Even if your fireplace has not been fitted with glass doors previously, you can add them an reap the benefits of this great feature.

A corner electric fireplace may be just the solution for your living area heating if you have limited space available for adding an electric fireplace. These units are designed to fit snugly into the corner of a room and utilize that space which is so often wasted.

Traditional wood burning fireplaces are often seen built into a long wall of the room. With the additional of a hearth and space, the amount of floor space taken from the room and the restrictions of where furnishings can be located can be very impractical for a small cottage or home. Condos and apartments are frequently not conducive to adding a traditional fireplace. Yet, with corner electric fireplace units, it is possible to enjoy the warm, coziness of a fire without these problems.

You can find corner electric fireplaces which require no venting at all. These models are frequently designed to be part of the home furnishings and even have space around the electric fire pit to house books, nick-knacks, and other items. By creating the look and feel for a piece of furniture with a fireplace included, you get maximum enjoyment from the room.

Corner electric fireplaces do not generate sparks or ashes which can pop out onto a hearth or the floor. This permits furniture placement around the fire to be restricted only by comfort. You don’t want to place furniture so close to the heat source that it creates a fire hazard or become unduly hot for comfortable seating, but the limitations are much more flexible than with other types of fireplaces.

In today’s urban and suburban lifestyle, many people live in smaller residences. Apartment dwellers and rental residents are not permitted to change the interiors of their homes to install vented fireplaces or other types of combustible fireplaces. These units require major changes to the structure which cannot easily be undone. With a corner electric fireplace, a renter can simply unplug the electric power, move their fireplace unit and leave no traces for future residents.

Corner electric fireplaces offer so many advantages. You’ll enjoy the hominess of having a very realistic looking fire flaming in the fireplace but you’ll have no ashes to carry out or wood to chop and carry inside. Today’s corner fireplaces offer remote controls and room thermostats on many available models, permitting the maximum comfort with the least possible hassle. Check out the great designs and you’ll find one that suits your lifestyle.

This selection of 10 fireplaces should be at the top of every geeks Santa list this Christmas.

1. Rotating fireplace with "optional" remote

This Diva is always the center of attention. What else would you call a rotating remote controlled fireplace that comes with a LCD television and a DVD player? The remote feature is actually optional, but who would want a fireplace like this and choose to get up to physically rotate it.

The Diva fireplace also features a, PC and Bose sound system, and comes in a oak, birch or rosewood cabinet. Handsome sliding doors conceal the electronics until they are ready for use. Of course al everything comes with a cost, and depending upon the features you choose, the Diva costs between £12,000 and £16,000.

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2. Fireplace In A Can

This fireplace is small enough to carry from room to room. This Electrolux fireplace, designed by Camillo Vanacore and made by Electrolux starts out as opaque, then slowly turns transparent as the flames grow and the capsule gets hotter. Once the fire is out and the flames cool, the Electrolux returns to its original white ceramic appearance.

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3. iPod Fireplace

The modular EcoSmart fireplace features an adjustable open fire. Almost any home could use a fireplace; and one that can fit just about anyplace in your home is ideal. The EcoSmart Fireplace fits the bill because it can be installed nearly anywhere. The clean burning denatured ethanol canisters require no utility hook-up. The EcoSmart Fireplace is easy to maintain and is available in several different models. It’s a perfect gift for anyone... the college student, the parent or even the klutz.

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4. Xbox Fireplace

Download your very own Xbox 360 fireplace for a mere 400 Microsoft points. This simulated fireplace game cartridge comes complete realistic looking and sounding smouldering embers and flickering flames. Best of all, it requires no skill to operate.

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5. Vok Multimedia Fireplace

Relax, warm your toes and enjoy your favourite tunes with the two-part CalSpas FRP-4300 Fireplace. It features a monolithic mock-stucco finish and a built-in iPod station with 4"x9" speakers. The iPod dock is completely hidden from sight. The CalSpas FRP 4300 Fireplace has the look of a solid stone arch with columns that display the gentle flames emerging from Lava Logs.

There is no information available regarding the price of this unique fireplace, but it’s a sure bet that a good deal of your hard earned cash will be going up in smoke in order to bring this beauty home.

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6. Eco Friendly Open Flame

The EcoSmart fireplace is an adaptable open fire. Got a spot that could be made more exciting by having flickering flames issuing forth? The modular EcoSmart can be installed there. Fuelled by (and easily refuelled with) denatured ethanol, it's a clean burning fire with no utility connection. Easily maintained and offered with attractive minimalist surrounds, the EcoSmart is the perfect gift for the klutz, the parent and the habitually drunk.

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7. Cardboard Fireplace

Have you not got a couple of $1000 to spend on a fireplace? Well this $24 fireplace from Urban Outfitter is for you!

Believe it or not, this fireplace costs only $24. When it comes to faux fireplaces, this one can’t be beat with its ‘crackling fire’ DVD that give the look, sound and feel of a real fire aglow in the hearth.

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8. Steam Punk Fireplace

Many features of this fireplace resemble design elements of steampunk – especially the antique brass trim and the industrial inspired lighting.

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9. iPhone Fireplace

FirePlace iPhone app is available in a brand new version that comes with the following features:
* attractive life-like fire animation
* authentic sound effects
* the ability to create custom background music to set the mood with playlists from your personal iPod library
* automatic shut-off features allows you to set the timer after you are lulled to sleep by the roaring fire

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10. Fireplace/Grill Transformer

At first glance, the Lumos Outdoor Fireplace looks like any other outdoor grill; but the truth is it will not only cook your steaks and burgers, but it will warm your entire backyard as well. When in the grilling mode, the chimney stack can be folded to the side, and turns into a convenient shelf or cutting board. How’s that for versatility?

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Vent free fireplaces are designed so that no outdoor venting is required. This means that there does not have to be a chimney for exhaust. Vent-free gas logs do have to be positioned so that a gas line can provide fuel for the logs but other than that restriction, vent-free fireplaces and logs can be placed in the living space anywhere you like. In fact, you could have a round fireplace in the center of the room with the gas line run underneath the flooring if that is your design dream.

When design engineers developed a means of creating realistic looking logs and a way to allow a yellow gas flame and the appearance of glowing embers in the fireplace and ensured that air quality was safe, the venting problem was solved.

It sounds almost too great to be true, but the design breakthrough of 99.9% efficiency is what permits the vent-free designs to be safe to operate without outdoor venting. A big plus is that vent free units do not permit drafts to come down the vent when not in use. This is also part of what allows the unbelievable efficiency rating. This means that, when your vent-free gas logs are operating, 99.9% of the gas turns directly into heat with almost no waste at all. This saves you tons of money over the years since most gas fireplaces lose substantially more heat and wood fireplaces are far less efficient than gas.

You may wonder how it can be safe to operate a gas fire in the home safely. If you have ever cooked with a gas stove or been in a restaurant where gas was used for the stove or ovens, you’ll realize the answer. Because the flames burn cleanly and do not release toxic gases, even if all the burners and the oven on a gas stove are turned on their highest setting, there is no need for venting. In fact, the fan hoods over stoves are for the removal of aromas and heat associated with cooking rather than removal of gases released by the flames. A vent-free fireplace and gas logs operates exactly the same way.

When any type of fireplace, whether gas, electric, wood, pellet, or other type of multi-fuel, it is recommended that a carbon dioxide monitor be added to the home. These inexpensive units are similar to smoke detectors and alter residents should there be a CO2 buildup. In fact, today these units are being added to all residences, whether there is a fireplace or not, to ensure safety.

To many, fireplaces are just a source of heat. To the wealthy, a fireplace can act as an art form.

1. Pictofocus 1450

Pictofocus offers clean lines and a large curved glass window to frame the flames with transparency unrivalled by competitors. The model is available in two sizes. It has a purity of design earning the Paris design show awards, it may be obtained for corner installation or as a double-sided unit.

This costs: $21,000

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2. Fire 2.0

Brett Levin is a local artist who works with fire as his medium. He has created a revolutionary fire pit, manufactured by Live Space, which allows flames to dance to the beat of music.

A former software entrepreneur, he began selling his “Fire 2.0” to Las Vegas hotels for $15,000 and the guests were thrilled and intrigues.

Using algorithms, the music or specific instruments in a room are analyzed and signals are sent to gas lines which open and close 100 valves quickly, permitting actuation up to 30 times each second.

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This costs: $15,000

3. MetaFocus 8

“Meta” comes from the Greek word which means “prolong and transcend”. This model takes its name, very appropriately from this word. With the MetaFocus, fire moves to new peaks and is affirmed as an art form. Sculpted of bronze façade, each unit is signed and number by artists Dominique Imbert.

This costs: $33,400

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4. Hummer Fireplace

Germany’s Geiger Cars chose to really trick out a Hummer for the holiday season. There are not just fancy rims and stereo; there’s a fully functional fireplace with hearth and chimney.

This costs: $Unknown

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5. Fireplace in a Chest

Perfect for anyone stuck home without a flickering, cosy fire, this fireplace in a chest opens to reveal a full self-contained functioning fireplace. It has all the appeal of a traditional fireplace but is totally mobile and you aren’t likely to burn down the house with this model.

Using bio-ethanol as fuel, the Mall Fire fire trunk by Atria is appealing and functional. When it is closed, it appears to be a standard steamer trunk. It probably doesn’t produce a huge amount of heat, but fires are not always about heat production; sometimes romance is the most important factor.

This costs: $5,400

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6. Fire Sticks

Fill you your home with sticks of fire that provide tall dancing flames. You’ll think you captured lightning in a jar, the captive fire dances within a tall glass column. Fascinating to watch, you’ll find hours or relaxation studying the varied fire dance which seems to never repeat.

This costs $3,800 per stick

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7. Glass Fireplace

Fireplaces have ruled the roost when it comes to heating solutions to warm up your home. But the Nobo Fire pit series electric radiators sees the radiator in entirely different light with captivating designs that are sure to overshadow your designer fireplace and become the focal point of your living space. Much said, the Fire pit series radiator featured above is a modern iteration of the fire pit. Within the sleek shape of the radiator lies a projector displaying a cyclic fire flame video which gives the visual along with the sensual impression of a natural fire. Another “wow” factor is its iPod-wheel-like flush control panel to control both temperature and lighting.

An LED light shines through wood grain pattern of glass logos from which heat dissipates, which arouses the natural fire feel in a different form. This campfire-shaped radiator is a perfect addition to a living room with a central radiator and coffee table merged into one with an additional ambient light combination.

This costs: $2,800

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8. Boomerang-shaped fireplace

Once again, standing at the forefront of innovation, the firm introduces its all new “EcoSmart Zeta fireplace.” The designer of the fireplace, John Dimopoulos, takes a cue from the boomerang. Bent into a perfect elliptical shape, the fireplace emits heat by setting its stomach on fire while burning ethanol. A brainy fusion of timber, leather and stainless steel, the completely portable fireplace rests on a lustrous stainless steel swivel base.

This costs: $12,880

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9. Lounge Fire

if you are on the market for a new fireplace, then this “Lounge Fire” bio designed by Carsten Gollnick will add immense style to grab all the attention rightly toward it. The fireplace features a long elegant sculpture as a framework for the central fireplace, which makes it perfect for your nicely-done-up lounge area.

The cover is magnetic and can be placed underneath the fireplace while it is burning. The fireplace is crafted in steel with a high quality powder-coated high gloss surface in white or semi gloss black, which harmonizes with the detail of the matte brushed stainless steel finish.

This costs: $1,617

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10. Cubico XT

Stunning in brushed steel the Cubico XT free standing fire was designed by Jan des Bouvrie for Safretti & forms part of our collection of flueless wall fires & free standing fires. The Cubico XT flueless fire has a completely open design, & is best in the middle of a room rather than against a wall.

Fuelled by eco friendly potato based Bio Ethanol the wonderful Safretti flueless fires require no flue, special ventilation, gas or electricity. The flame is very clean, with no smell, or soot produced. Fuel is bought in 2L bottles @$10 per bottle, & each 2L refill lasts several hours – depending on the height of the flame.

This costs: $6,199.00

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11. The Aqueon Water Fireplace

This Aqueon fireplace by Heat & Glo actually uses regular water to create fire. Ordinary tap water (preferably distilled) is supplied to the fireplace through a pipe or tank, a 220 volt electrical service then separates the hydrogen and oxygen atoms through electrolysis, the Aqueon ignites the hydrogen, and ta-dah, fire! The oxygen is then added for color and brightness, while the rest is released into the room. It doesn’t require venting because it doesn’t produce any harmful vapours like carbon monoxide — just water vapour.

This costs: $50,000

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12. Plasma Screen Fireplace

There’s a range of fireplaces available from the Beachcomber (£2140-$3551) to the top-end "Firelight Modern", which has a remote controlled fire, built in down lights and a space to conceal the DVD/VCR. Alas that price doesn’t include the screen.

This costs: $3,551

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13. LED Fireplace

Want the look of a fireplace without the heat? Then go for this fireplace that utilises cutting edge LED circuits with single and multiple colour options. These can be controlled and mixed using a remote control handset.

This costs: $2,655

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14. Waterfall Fireplace

Here’s a combination of the soothing effects of a waterfall with the tranquil cracklings of a fire: The Hearth fall. Think of it as a facade for your fireplace, giving that focus of your living room’s attention something to do during the summer.

This costs: $2000+

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15. Focus Tube Fireplace

Ever since founder and designer Dominique Imbert set up his workshop in 1967, Focus has been hammering, forging, welding, and sculpting their fireplaces in southern France.

This costs: $14,500

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1. Snowy Moor

The old house is gone, but the fireplace remains. This photo was taken on an evening walk in the town of Garðabær. This is a HDR image from 3 exposures.

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2. Bar Room Fireplace

Now it looks like that mother nature has set up shop in this local bar.

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The same fireplace in happier times:

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3. Weird Fireplace

This fireplace still looks brand-new! I started to imagine what used to be here, a house? a cabin? Now we will never know but at least the fireplace still stands.

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4. A Hidden Secret..

I like this image as it looks like the old house owners have tried to hid away their fireplace. I imagine some hidden secret hides behind the plasterboard…

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5. Broken Fireplace?

No more fire’s will burn brightly from this fireplace now that mother nature has fought back.

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6. Church Fireplace

This magnificent fireplace was photographed in City Methodist Church, Gary Indiana. It was was built in 1925 and closed in 1975

current status: abandoned, no plans for renovation (at current time)

7. Fireplace Against Blue Sky

You always see Chimney's standing with no trace of a house, it makes me think that houses should be made entirely of chimneys....

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8. Dirty Fireplace

This Fireplace was  inside the first of 3 abandoned houses on the Lewis property in Hawthorne, Florida.

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9. Rock Tavern Fireplace

A close up of the abandoned fireplaces in the Rock Tavern ruin.

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10. Fireplace on the Second Floor

Fireplace in Pawlings Farm Mansion House at Valley Forge Park, PA. I doubt this second floor fireplace will be able to last another major storm.

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11. Last Man Standing

The house probably burned down, yet the fireplace still stands. Ironic isn't it?  Another example of why they should make whole houses out of fireplaces!

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12. Lonely Abandoned Fireplace

This fireplace was constructed in 1937 in Beloit, WI at Big Hill Park. It seems more like an old grave than a friendly fireplace.

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A zero clearance fireplace is a unit you purchase which is prefabricated and used in homes which have no fireplace or chimney in the original design. These manufactured fireplaces are an affordable solution for home owners that want the warmth of a real fire but don’t want to spend a fortune modifying their house to include a traditional fireplace.

Fireplaces with zero clearance are available in designs that are fueled by wood, gas, electricity or alternative sources of fuel such as pellets or corn. Depending on your climate and how much you will use the fire as the main source of heat for a living area, you can save substantial money by changing from your forced air heaters, space heaters or central heating units. In cold northern climates, wood burning fires can save a home owner as much as 40% of the cost of electricity, natural gas, propane or other utilities used to heat the home. This ensures your pre-fab fireplace will pay for itself in only a few winters.

Basically, a zero clearance fireplace is a fire box which is connected to a double wall of steel or metal insulated chimney pipe to allow exhaust gases to escape. The piping required for these units is insulated so well that there does not have to be substantial space between the piping and the wall itself. The fire box can be placed right into the wooden 2 X 4 wall supports. This allows the fireplace to be located just about anywhere you desire in your home.

Many people who purchase a zero clearance fireplace like to add veneer stone or brick to give the look and feel of a traditional fireplace. Unlike traditional fires, no hearth is required but you can install one if you like the way it adds to your décor and fireplace design.

Old fashioned fireplaces are really not very fuel efficient but, because these pre-manufactured units burn much hotter, they can be as much as 70% more efficient. This simply means that they burn more of the fuel and release fewer by-products into the atmosphere. This also means that if you select a wood-burning unit, you’ll have much less ash to remove from the fireplace.

Zero clearance fireplaces are especially easy to maintain and keep clean. Because there is little or no fuel residue to remove, you do not have to clean your unit as frequently as you might expect. Shop around and you will be shocked at how many attractive styles and designs are available to meet your home heating needs.

Dimplex has long been a leading in developing new products and their patented electric flame technology makes their fireplaces look extremely realistic. In 1995 they developed the first realistic looking flame for use in electric fireplaces. They continue to develop new products and improve existing products; you’ll probably find a model that fits your needs and décor perfectly.

If your home already had a traditional fireplace, you can place a Dimplex electric fireplace insert into the opening and transition directly to electric with very little bother. Some wiring and installation in this type of conversion should be performed by a professional electrician to ensure that the wiring and power source is safe and properly grounded. There are even inserts available for two-sided fireplace openings.

If you don’t have a fireplace opening in your home, you can still add a Dimplex electric fireplaces to provide heat, coziness and appeal to your living area. You might select a model which looks and functions as an entertainment or media console with a fireplace in the center which you can safely place below your wall-hung flat screen television to hold books, DVDs, CDs, and accessories. These models are available with modern open styling or more traditional styles with enclosed back and shelves. Armoire models really make a room look neat and stylish when the television is behind closed doors. Choose from a variety of styles and finishes.

If you have limited floor space, you will love the corner units which are designed to fit precisely in the corner of a room, allowing you to maximize living areas. You can select from several styles, each of functions as a piece of furniture as well as an electric fireplace. Dimplex offers one especially compact models which is only 29 1/2" x 46 1/8" x 18 ½ in size. The variety of colors and finishes will please any home owner.

If your tastes extend to more traditional furnishings, you’ll love the flat wall unit that functions as an elegant book case on each end with a fireplace in the center. They are available in a variety of finishes including black, stone finish, cherry, oak, pecan, walnut, and five others.

If you like the ultra-modern look or simply don’t want to sacrifice any floor space, Dimple electric fireplaces in their wall mounted line will best suit your needs. Mounted on the wall, there are models available which extend only a few inches from the wall, just enough to provide space for the heating unit.

If you want to go electric, Dimplex electric fireplaces has a design and finish that is perfect for your home. Give your living space a whole new look and feel by adding one of these attractive fireplaces to any room in your house.