Wood Fireplace Accessories – Functional and Decorative
Fireplaces have become the focal point for warm, convivial gatherings of family and friends, and the very presence of a fireplace increases the value of your home. If you have a wood burning fireplace, you should choose wood fireplace accessories that will complement your decor. Damper pulls, fireplace screens, andirons, grates and fireplace tool sets are some of the different types of wood fireplace accessories available. Learn more in this video:
Damper pulls are used to open and close the damper and the most frequently used wood fireplace accessory. They are made of brass with a hook on one end and generally measure about a foot in length. When the fireplace is not in use, the damper pull can be hung from the fireplace mantle, stand or wall.
Fireplace screens were originally designed to protect the occupants of a room from extreme heat radiating from the fireplace. Today’s screens, while still providing protection from embers and flames, have become more decorative and can be made from brass, chrome, copper, stained glass, iron and pewter.
Andirons are a pair of metal firewood supports, each consisting of a horizontal bar mounted on short legs. A vertical shaft usually surmounts the front end and may be made of bronze, copper, iron, steel of silver. Andirons not only add an attractive accent to your wood burning fireplace but also stabilize burning logs, improve efficiency, and reduce wear on your fireplace floor.
Similar in function to andirons, grates protect the fireplace floor and are typically made from cast iron or steel. A grate prevents logs from rolling while burning, decreases the amount of heat that reaches the floor and causes the wood to burn more efficiently. Grates also make cleanup easier by creating a central ash pile.
Fireplace tools are used to tend a fire and keep it burning properly. Typical fireplace tool sets consist of a broom, poker, shovel and tongs, come in a variety of styles and can be made of wrought iron, antique brass, pewter, stainless steel, or bronze. Designed to be attractive as well as functional, a fireplace tool set provides the finishing touch to your fireplace.
