Gas Fireplace Safety Screens - To Install or Not to Install!
Gas fireplaces have continued to increase in popularity since they were first invented in 1987.
Along with their popularity has come some controversy.
Some say that this new design is just unattractive, some love the convenience and energy efficiency of gas and still others worry about the number of burns children are getting by touching the hot glass panel on the front when there is no safety screen installed.
Today there are estimated to be over 6,000,000 "Direct vent" gas fireplaces installed around the USA according to statistics from the Hearth Products and BBQ Association (HPBA).
Direct Vent gas fireplaces are not to be confused with gas logs, gas logs can be installed into your standard masonry fireplace and actually look pretty good.
Of the 6,000,000 installed in homes, they come in all shapes and sizes and their look has changed and improved over the years.
You can many times determine the age of your fireplace based on the way it looks.
Between 1987 and about 2004 all gas fireplaces looked the same, I like to call them the "louver style".
They were all black metal and at the top and bottom there were horizontal louvers built into the box.
Sometimes these louvers were colored brass or nickel to give them additional style, but they all look dated and in need of a makeover.
Around 2004 there was a breakthrough and the first "clean face" fireplace fueled by gas was invented.
This design was more expensive, but it looked much better because the manufactures got rid of the "louver style", but due to their higher price tag, the louver style was still the dominant look installed by builders until about 2009 when more manufacturers adopted this "clean face" style and the costs came down.
So for consumers looking to change the look of their older gas fireplace and make it safer for children, you can find after-market fireplace safety screens that can be made to fit your fireplace and give it a makeover.
Many of these after-market safety screens are easy to install as they come with magnets to attach directly to your "black metal box".
For consumers who had their gas fireplace installed after 2004 they might be able to get a safety screen from the original manufacturer that still fits their fireplace.
If you are buying a new fireplace you have a great selection of safety screens available to improve the design and the safety at the same time.
So if you are looking to update the look of your fireplace, you have many after-market safety screens to choose from, so do your research and see if one is right for you.
Along with their popularity has come some controversy.
Some say that this new design is just unattractive, some love the convenience and energy efficiency of gas and still others worry about the number of burns children are getting by touching the hot glass panel on the front when there is no safety screen installed.
Today there are estimated to be over 6,000,000 "Direct vent" gas fireplaces installed around the USA according to statistics from the Hearth Products and BBQ Association (HPBA).
Direct Vent gas fireplaces are not to be confused with gas logs, gas logs can be installed into your standard masonry fireplace and actually look pretty good.
Of the 6,000,000 installed in homes, they come in all shapes and sizes and their look has changed and improved over the years.
You can many times determine the age of your fireplace based on the way it looks.
Between 1987 and about 2004 all gas fireplaces looked the same, I like to call them the "louver style".
They were all black metal and at the top and bottom there were horizontal louvers built into the box.
Sometimes these louvers were colored brass or nickel to give them additional style, but they all look dated and in need of a makeover.
Around 2004 there was a breakthrough and the first "clean face" fireplace fueled by gas was invented.
This design was more expensive, but it looked much better because the manufactures got rid of the "louver style", but due to their higher price tag, the louver style was still the dominant look installed by builders until about 2009 when more manufacturers adopted this "clean face" style and the costs came down.
So for consumers looking to change the look of their older gas fireplace and make it safer for children, you can find after-market fireplace safety screens that can be made to fit your fireplace and give it a makeover.
Many of these after-market safety screens are easy to install as they come with magnets to attach directly to your "black metal box".
For consumers who had their gas fireplace installed after 2004 they might be able to get a safety screen from the original manufacturer that still fits their fireplace.
If you are buying a new fireplace you have a great selection of safety screens available to improve the design and the safety at the same time.
So if you are looking to update the look of your fireplace, you have many after-market safety screens to choose from, so do your research and see if one is right for you.