Commonly Used Fireplace Accessories

Some time ago, fireplaces were used in most homes as a necessity for heating. Aside from that, having a warm and comfortable place for cozy conversations also offered an added benefit to having a fireplace. Even in places where the weather is warmer, the presence of a pleasant fireplace increases the value of a house. Therefore, the appropriateness of the accessories should also be considered by every household since these are also of high significance. The different types of accessories used in fireplaces include fireplace match holders, damper pulls, fireplace grates, fireplace screens, andirons.

There are two major factors that every fireplace owner should consider when purchasing fireplace accessories. These are style and convenience. When buying accessories, the style should be put into consideration since it needs to blend well with the design and appearance of the fireplace. Convenience is another way of determining if certain accessories should be purchased. Without taking convenience into account, no matter how fashionable the accessories are, they would still be of insignificant value.

Fireplace match holders used to be made of an assortment of materials like oak, wrought iron, brass and copper. These holders are available in different designs and in varying prices. Match holders provide users with easy access to matches.

One of the oldest and the most frequently used fireplace accessories, damper pulls are used to open and close a fireplace damper. Typically measuring about a foot long, a damper pull is made of brass and has a hook on one end, which makes closing the damper easy. The damper pull can be hung from the fireplace stand, mantle or wall whenever the fireplace is not in use.

Fireplace grates are another commonly used accessories used in fireplaces. They are probably the most essential of all fireplace accessories. When installed correctly, a grate provides better protection to the fireplace floor. If fireplace grates are not installed, it would cause the floor to become very hot, thus causing it to become damaged. The fireplace grate is intended to decrease the amount of heat that reaches the floor and it also causes the word to burn better. Since the wood is situated above the floor, the air underneath it is at a higher temperature, thus making the wood burn more efficiently. In addition, fireplace grates hold the wood in place so cleaning up is made easier.

Fireplace screens are another type of accessories used in fireplaces. Fireplace screens started as a form of furniture that protected the occupant of a room from the fireplace. Their main task is to lessen the discomfort of extreme heat that radiated from the fire. Fireplace screens nowadays have become ornamental protections against flames and flying embers. They are typically made of copper, glass, chrome, brass, pewter and iron. Fireplace screens also prevent pets from getting injured when venturing too close to the fireplace.

Andiron are horizontal iron bars where logs are laid on for burning in an open fireplace. They stand upon short legs and are typically linked with an upright guard, which may be made of steel, iron, bronze, copper, or even silver. Andirons are often richly adorned with conservative patterns or heraldic ornaments.

A fireback is a thick iron plate located at the back of a hearth. It is placed against the back of the wall of the hearth. It shields the wall and reflects the heat of the fire toward the room. A cast iron fireback is still the best way to shield a hearth’s back wall from damage. It efficiently protects the back wall from any further damage.

A fireplace poker is a short and rigid rod used to arrange coals and adjust wood fuel burning in a fireplace. Also known as a stoker, it is often made of a metallic material and is pointed at one end. The pointed end is used to push the burning materials. There are three kinds of tools frequently used to tend a small fire: the spade, the tongs and the poker itself. These implements make handling a fire without hazardous consequences a possibility.