What are the differences between each type of fireplace screens?

1 panel screens (spark arrestors)

Spark Arrestors are designed to fit flat up against the outside of the fireplace and should overlap the opening by at least 1" on the top and sides. This type of screen offers great spark protection and is ideal for keeping small children and pets out of the fireplace. For large fireplaces It's OK for the screen to be smaller than the actual opening. Spark arrestors look best with Andirons inside the fireplace.

Boston Spark Guards

Boston Spark Guards are designed to fit flat up against the outside of the fireplace and should overlap the opening by at least 1" on the top and sides. This type of screen offers great spark protection and is ideal for keeping small children and pets out of the fireplace. Not only are these screens great for standard sized fireplaces, they are also excellent for odd sized or very large fireplace openings. All are self supporting when tending the fire.

Folding Screens - 3 panel, 4 panel and 5 panel

Folding screens are designed to sit in front of the fireplace on the hearth. Ideally, folding screens should stand about 3 or 4 inches taller than the fireplace opening, not just for looks, but to keep sparks from jumping over them. If you are burning gas logs, then the screen can be just an inch taller than the opening and it will still look good. The width of folding screens that is published by screen manufacturers is measured with the screen stretched out completely flat. Since folding screens cannot stand on their own when stretched out flat, you need to add a little extra to the width of a folding screen in order for the side panels to fold in slightly so that the screen will stand on its own. Therefore, folding screens should be about 20% to 30% wider than your fireplace opening, which is usually around 10 to 12". 3 panel screens are the most popular of the folding screens because they do not have a frame going down the middle that obstructs the view of the fire. 4 panel screens are a little more traditional in style and are easier to manage when loading and cleaning the fireplace because they fold up nicely and are easier to move. 5 panel screens actually rather uncommon, but they are an excellent alternative for very wide fireplaces.

Mesh curtain fireplace screens

Mesh curtain fireplace screens are one of the most popular custom choices as they do not take up much space on the hearth. Each screen is custom made to fit the fireplace opening and can made with brackets that attach the screen to the fireplace opening or with legs that allow the screen to stand on it's own in front of the opening. Either way, the screen is usually made to overlap the face of the fireplace by about 1/2" on the top and sides. These can be ordered as inside fit, however, there will usually be gaps between the mortar joints of your bricks if you decide to do it this way.