Picture this; it’s the first ‘cold enough’ day of the season and you’ve just lit your fireplace ready for an evening snuggled up on the sofa. Perfect in every way, except you’re missing that all-important touch of safety and style. Enter our extensive collection of stylish (and very practical) fire guards.
However, when it comes to making the choice over which fire guard to add to your home, we know the decision can be a hard one. From style and size to safety and durability, there are so many factors to consider. Which is why we’re here to make your decision a little bit smoother with this handy guide...
SIZE OF YOUR HEARTH
First things first, let’s consider the size of your hearth. It’s essential that your fire guard is placed far enough away from your heat source to ensure safety (and an aesthetically beautiful fireplace setting, of course).
By understanding the size of your hearth, you can then make an informed decision over which of our designs would look best in your space. For example, if your hearth is relatively big, you’ll want to make sure you choose one of our larger designs in terms of height and width. You can easily view the best selection for you by using the ‘sizing’ filters on our product page.
FIRE GUARD STYLE
This is very much up to personal preference, but there are a few different things to consider when choosing the perfect fire screen for you:
Home Décor - think about your existing style and how a fire guard will add to the overall aesthetic. We’ve got a huge collection of styles to suit all tastes, whether you’re looking for something ornate and traditional or something more simple and modern.
Design & Shape - from foldable guards to flat fire screens and everything else in-between, the shape of your design is definitely something to consider. We offer a selection of multiple fold options for easy placement and storage, as well as single panelled guards, domed surrounds and child-safe screens with doors for added safety.
Finish & Extra Features - it’s all about the finish (and those extra features that make a design stand out from the crowd). Whether you’re looking for something bold and black or a little more ‘rustic’, we’ve got you sorted. And, if you’re seeking a touch of unique charm, we’ve also got a big range of more ornate and detailed screens for you to choose from.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
Of course, safety is a big thing to consider when it comes to picking an appropriate fire guard for your space. Think about things like; pets and children, whether you have an open fireplace or log burner, and the overall design of your hearth.
Our three-fold guards tend to be the most popular choice when it comes to stability, and are best for uneven hearths (such as stone). Whereas our four-fold designs still offer stability but are better suited for smoother surfaces. Or, where child-safety is a priority, we’d always recommend our selection of nursery guards which often feature an opening door and safety latch for fire tending.
Another factor to think about is whether or not you require protective mesh. Open fires are known for spitting embers and sparks, something which mesh inserts will help to keep at bay. Whereas log burners already feature a barrier between the fire and your surroundings, so mesh isn’t as important. We stock a selection of both to suit your specific needs.
DIMENSIONS & MEASUREMENTS
Once you’ve decided on the style and finish of your fire guard, it’s time to measure up and decide which size is best for your hearth. Consider the height, width and projection (if relevant) of your fire guard when compared to your fireplace set-up. You don’t want something too small for your space as it won’t do what’s required but, equally, you don’t want a screen that’s too big and will end up detracting from the beauty of your fireplace.
Once you’ve established the width and height of your fireplace, look for a screen with matching dimensions and decide whether you feel you need a single panel or larger folded design.
BESPOKE DESIGNS
If you find that none of our existing fire guard designs quite meet what you need, we have a selection of screens that can be made to measure to suit your exact requirements. We also offer a fully custom design service, where you can work alongside our in-house team to develop an entirely individual fire screen for your home. Find out more about our bespoke fire guard service here.
