Safety should be an utmost priority when it comes to your backyard wood burning fire pit. A great way to protect yourself and your loved ones (in addition to playing it safe around your outdoor fire feature) are to utilize a fire pit screen. There are plenty of benefits to using a mesh screen while enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of an evening bonfire. It's also really important that you have the right kind of screen for your feature. Fireplace Doors Online has some really incredible products that meet local fire codes and can also withstand the extreme temperatures from the flames! This week, we are highlighting our USA-Made fire pit screens, and we'd like to tell you why they are such a terrific investment for your backyard fire pit.
FIRE FEATURE SAFETY
First, let's recap a few pointers:
- Make sure you have a 3-5 foot clearance from the sides of your fire pit to any combustible objects or materials.
- Nothing should be above your fire pit - this goes for roofs, trees, and pergolas (freestanding archway or framework).
- Always keep children and pets well-supervised when enjoying a fire; make sure to teach children fire rules and safety tips.
- Adhere to the 3-5 foot clearance guideline when placing chairs and/or walking around your outdoor feature. Surprisingly, a high number of burns and injuries happen from accidental trips and falls near the fire.
- Get a mesh spark screen for your fire pit!
USA-MADE SCREENS
Whether your stone, brick, or metal feature is the ultramodern above-ground style or something a little more traditional, such as the submerged fire pit (shown at right), our screens will accommodate your design. These exclusive screens come in an array of styles and sizes. Whether the shape of your feature is round, square, or rectangular, we can outfit your needs with these durable, premium-quality accessories. We even have extra-large fire pit spark screens (round pivot and square/rectangle styles) that can be custom fabricated to your specifications in any of the before-mentioned shapes!
SAFETY SCREEN CONSTRUCTION
We're off to a good start - three different shapes, plenty of sizes to choose from - now let's talk material. As we said, these mesh screens are made in the USA (Illinois, to be exact). We believe in supporting American manufacturing, and that includes the talented welders and fabricators who make these tremendous products! Fireplace Doors Online is a fan of hand-made goods. We firmly believe that machines and computers can't hold a candle to a fine creation that was crafted by the hands of talented American men and women who have a passion for what they do. That being said, these fire pit safety screens are no exception! The framework on each of these screens is made from 1/4-inch by 1-inch solid steel flat bar. The mesh is fabricated from 23-gauge stainless steel wire. The final result is a product that is not only extremely durable, but light-weight (less than 10 pounds) making this an accessory that is not cumbersome and difficult to lift or transport. At the same time, the robust construction allows your screen to withstand the hot temperatures associated with wood-burning fires.
FINISHES
When it comes to finishes, we have options for you! We offer classic black carbon steel, as well as the sleek industrial appeal of stainless. These finishes are not painted on with traditional means, however. They are electrostatically applied, which means that the paint receives a static charge as it moves through the spray gun. This helps our artisans to deliver an even distribution of paint particles for uniform coverage and smooth surface texture. These finishes are heat and weather-resistant, which is more good news for you! Our USA-made fire pit screens can be left outside in the elements and will not rust over time.
(Round hinged screens are shown below L-R: carbon steel, stainless steel. Click on a screen to be directed to its product page!)
STYLES
We have plenty of styles to suit your round fire pit. Many people like the ease and convenience of our dome-shaped lift-off screens. A top-mounted handle is centered on the framework for even weight distribution, and minimum effort is needed to remove and replace it. These screens are perfect for either standard or more shallow fire pits.
For something with a little more character, we also have hinged designs (as shown above under FINISHES). Two front handles allow full access to the inside of your feature through twin panels. The ample height allows for larger stacks of wood, and the mesh keeps you safe while promoting better air circulation.
A customer favorite is the pivoting screen for round fire pits! The dome shape of this safety screen actually has two sides, one being larger than the other by about 2-inches. A 1-inch hinge spacer at the center of the screen on both sides allows for the pivot action of the smaller dome "disappearing" into the larger side when you need to access your logs. This spark screen features a handle on the small side, as well as a top-mounted handle for maneuvering your screen on and off your fire pit.
If you are looking for a square or rectangular screen, our products offer a hinged-style front opening (with a handle) for easy 180° access to the logs and flames within your fire pit. The mesh design allows you full viewing pleasure while keeping flying sparks from the burn process contained.
(Shown below L-R: Square Fire Pit Screen in stainless steel, Rectangle Fire Pit Screen in carbon steel.)
**We must mention that the handles on our screens will get hot while sitting over your fire pit and being exposed to the flames. Therefore, we highly recommend the use of thermal gloves when you are handling your safety screen!**
SIZES
Earlier, we mentioned that we have many sizes to choose from, but do you know exactly which dimension is right for your fire pit? It's important that you take some measurements:
- For round/dome-shaped screens: measure the inner diameter of your fire pit (inches) and add 4 inches to this calculation to determine the size screen you'll need. (For example, if the inner diameter is 28 inches, add 4 more inches = you'll need a 32-inch screen.)
- For rectangular-shaped screens: measure the inner length of your fire pit (inches) and add 2 inches to this calculation; then measure the inner width of your fire pit (inches) and add 2 inches to this calculation to determine the size screen you'll need. (For example, if your inner length is 16 inches, add 2 more inches = 18. If your inner width is 18, add 2 more inches = 20. You'll need an 18 by 20-inch screen.)
- For square-shaped screens: measure the inner length of your fire pit (inches) and add 2 inches to this calculation; then measure the inner width of your fire pit (inches) and add 2 inches to this calculation to determine the size screen you'll need. (For example, if your inner length is 22 inches, add 2 more inches = 24. If your inner width is 22, add 2 more inches = 24. You'll need a 24 by 24-inch screen.)
- Your screen - no matter the shape - will need a 5 to 6-inch surround for your spark screen to rest on. (Although this may not apply to a submerged or flush rustic-style fire pit, as shown below.)
All of these fantastic screens are manufactured from high-grade, domestic USA steel! Our steel fabricators work hard to create quality products while maintaining an environmentally compliant status. These are not subsidized products that will fail to meet your expectations. They are examples of excellence, made from materials that meet the highest standards. They are designed to comply with local ordinances and will keep you and your loved ones safe from sparks and embers. We can't think of a better, more responsible way to invest in your safety!
