There are many things in life I am more than willing to buy less expensively.
However, when it comes to protecting our home and enjoying our fireplace, cheap fireplace accessories do not equate.
Cheap is great when you are buying a bag of frozen hash browns at the grocery store or a t-shirt to work in at the shop.
When I am lighting a fire inside my home, I would like to at least think I am ready for any situation that might present itself to me.
Fireplace screens can be found at the local big box store for less than fifty dollars, the same one I got my t-shirt from.
Hurray! What a deal, sign me up.
This is the screen I am willing to trust to not only knock down errant sparks from the hearth, but also help to keep a piece of wood that has come loose and is rolling out of the hearth onto my wood floor.
Yes, a screen will knock down an errant spark with ease, but keep a four or five pound rolling log in its place until you can deal with it, I don't think so.
I believe a sturdy screen with a little weight to it is a good idea.
It also needs wide feet to support it and keep it from moving.
Fireplace hearth rugs can be found at many different locations.
Big box stores, local hardware stores and carpet and rug specialty stores, all of which have choices for the home owner.
Cheap is a relative term here.
There is a vast difference when buying a fireplace hearth rug that has a certification of non-combustibility or fire resistant classification and a rug without certification.
I do not care how pretty it is or the deal you got when buying it, if it does not do the job when an ember falls, it is of no value.
Buy cheap fireplace accessories and a lot of fire insurance, or keep your standard policy and buy quality fireplace accessories, the choice is always yours.
Yes, I have a bias toward what is quality and good judgment for the home.
Have a happy and warm winter.
James Dahlberg