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 steel mesh of this fireplace screen allows heat from your fireplace to dissipate while preventing sparks and embers from escaping into the room. You’ll appreciate the folding, three-panel design since it makes it easier to move and store the screen when not in use. 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. Fireplace screens can cost several hundred dollars depending on the materials, design, and finish, but you can shield your space from embers and sparks with a more affordable version. The Best Choice Products Simple Steel Mesh Fireplace Screen is simple but budget-friendly. It’s made from a steel alloy and comes in three different finishes to suit your style or decor. A cabinet-style fireplace screen provides a built-in look when compared to freestanding fireplace screens. A characteristic feature is a double-door opening that provides easy access to the firebox but a mesh screen to keep sparks, embers, and logs contained. This is also a very energy-efficient choice for a fireplace screen; when the glass doors are closed, heat loss through the chimney of your fireplace is reduced.

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.This outdoor fireplace screen is constructed of cast aluminum for rust resistance. The wire mesh of the screen is fine enough to prevent sparks and embers from escaping but allows for the heat to easily pass through. You especially want to choose a fireplace screen with this attribute if you plan to use it in an outdoor living roomwhere you’re relying on the fire’s warmth for comfort. Whether you choose to use this fireplace screen outdoors or indoors, it has an appealing art deco aesthetic, and it's available in multiple finishes to suit the style of your patio, porch, or any other living space.

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. The stability of a fireplace screen is important, especially if you have children or pets in the home. A fireplace screen is intended to have safety benefits, but if it’s unsteady and prone to falling over, it can become a nuisance or a liability. Factors that determine the stability of a fireplace screen include whether the screen has feet, the weight of the material it’s made from and whether it’s a flat panel or hinged panel design.

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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. 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. The design of a fireplace screen impacts its visual appeal. There is a wide range of styles to choose from, making it a matter of personal preference regarding the look and finish of the fireplace screen you choose. While fireplace screens have a functional purpose, you might choose one based on its design—knowing it will serve as a focal point in the room. The simplest design of fireplace screens may have no adornment or features on the frame and screen, while other options feature metal scrollwork or other design details, like the classic, Victorian-styled Pleasant Hearth Arched 3-Panel Fireplace Screenor the modern West Elm Deco Fireplace Screen. A spark guard is a specific type of fireplace screen that provides more coverage across the width and height of your firebox. It features a mesh screen with a top and sides that enclose the opening of the fireplace while still allowing plenty of airflow to the flames. We recommend the Symple Stuff Dang Spark Guard for this category since it features wrought iron construction and handles to make it easier to move the fireplace screen from one spot to another. 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.