Fireguards for Large Fires – Custom Made

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A variety of fireplaces

 

Typical towns and cities in the UK are made up of so many different types of buildings, built at many different times – the fireplaces sizes within these buildings can vary almost as much as the buildings themselves. In one particular building e.g. a 19th century house, there may be different fireplace sizes – larger ones in the rooms downstairs and smaller ones upstairs.  Brick / masonry fireplaces in a large number of homes do tend to fall within a certain popular range of sizes though e.g. between 32 and 36 inches wide, and between 25 and 29 inches high.  Different fireplace opening sizes are likely to mean different sizes flue and chimney sizes – chimneys are generally masonry, or metal prefab. 

 

Fireguards

 

Fireguards themselves serve two main purposes:

 

To protect the room, furnishings, and people from hot debris that may be ejected from the fire toward the room.

To prevent people (often children), pets, and furniture / household items form getting too near to, falling, or climbing into the fireplace and/or chimney.

 

Fireguards usually consist of an outer (metal) framework that fits flush / nearly flush (or on small legs) to the outer hearth surface.  This outer framework often incorporates a decorative trim.  Within this outer frame is a metal mesh, which is fine enough to stop debris from the fire entering the room, but still allows the heat of the fire to come through, and the fire to remain visible form the room for safety and aesthetic reasons.  Most fireguards are removable / portable, and often incorporate a handle on the front or top to allow them to be removed from the fireplace in order to tend to it or clean it, or to store the fireguard away.

 

The range and variety of fireguards available reflect this broad scope in the differences in fireplace opening sizes.  Fireguards are available in a number of different styles e.g. rounded / curved, square / angular, single piece or multiple panelled, decorative tops, incorporated panels, or plain.  Different finishes are available e.g. black, pewter, brass, powder coating.

 

For Large Fires

 

Large fireplace are likely to require fireguards at the upper end of the scale e.g. 29 or 30 inches high (or more), and similar in width.  These aren’t the main standard fireguard sizes.  Large multiple panelled fireguards could be used in this case e.g. a fireguard with a wide central panel and 2 end panels, or 4 panelled fireguard could be stretched out across the from of a large fireplace – it needs to cover the area and be stable enough when extended. A better solution would be to choose the particular style like for the wide range available, and get a custom made solution.  This will therefore combine the best aesthetic, practical and safety features.

 

Today, there are essentially fire screens for different purposes, or for a combined purpose.  Fire guards have been commonplace for many years, and other types of fire (gas electric) and the wide use of coal fires in the modern age have made fire screens predominantly decorative – some fire screens are not designed to be used when the fire is lit, but merely to hide the fireplace / provide a pleasant aesthetic, and consistent design feature in front of the fireplace.