When homes were warmed solely by naked flames, fireplace screens served as a shield to protect the occupants from the intense heat of the fire. The screen also helped prevent embers from spitting out the fireplace and into the room.
Is a screen required for a gas fireplace?
Jim says the answer is YES. While they are not necessary to prevent sparks and burning logs from escaping OUT into your room, some gas log manufacturers do require the use of a screen with their product. This is largely to prevent any flammable object from going INTO your fireplace.18 Sept 2017
Is it necessary to have a fireplace screen?
Do you always need a fireplace screen? If you have a stone floor or a wide stone or metal surface in front of the fire, it is always necessary to put a fire screen in front of the fire if there is no one supervising the fire. The use of a fireplace screen is also sensible for a gas fireplace.
How effective are fireplace screens?
It is proven to double the efficiency of the fireplace by absorbing and radiating the heat into the room instead of being blocked in the fireplace. This does a far much better job than air which only conducts heat from the flames. The screen will also cause more heat to be produced by the firewood.6 Oct 2017
Do fireplace screens help with smoke?
A fireplace screen doesn't provide a tight seal around the opening of a traditional wood burning fireplace, and so a screen should not be used to help prevent smoke from coming into the room.21 Jan 2021
Why does my gas fireplace have a screen and glass?
The mesh screens or curtains on a fireplace are meant to stop embers that pop off of logs from escaping the fireplace and burning carpet or furniture. When you have the fireplace burning, the glass doors would be open so something is needed to keep sparks and embers in their place.
Is a fireplace screen necessary?
A fireplace screen is needed to help prevent any hot embers from spitting out into the room, which is particularly important when the fireplace located is near wooden floor or carpet. 'Use a metal mesh or screen in front of the fireplace to catch flying sparks that could ignite or burn holes in the carpet or flooring.2 Nov 2019
Do you need mesh screen for gas fireplace?
However experienced you are with stoking a fire, a fireplace mesh screen is always needed in order to reduce the risk of fire or burns. If you have a carpet just in front of the fireplace or a wooden or plastic floor close to the fire, it is always necessary to put a fireplace screen in front of the fire.
Do fireplace screens block heat?
A fireplace screen can therefore (by the very nature of it being a barrier) block some of the heat being a generated by an open fire. Although fireplace screens can block some heat, the amount of heat generated by an open fire can be small and so this blocked heat can be insignificant.21 Jan 2021