Stained glass and wood fireplace screens combinations are used strictly for decorative purposes.
Stained Glass Fire Screens
Stained glass is held together through soldering lead between the strips of glass. Most finished pieces are framed in metal to lend greater strength and stability. Metal makes a great frame for fireplace screens but the addition of glass poses a risk of the glass overheating, which will cause it to either crack or break. A wood frame fireplace screen poses even a greater fire hazard. This is one reason you won't find too many wood and glass fireplace screens and those that you do find should never be used when there's a fire in the grate.
Wood Fire Screens
You can purchase wood fire screens, but these are purely decorative. You only use this kind of fire screen when you don't have a fire burning in your fireplace. Wood fire screens were very popular during the Victorian era of the Arts and Craft movement as a way to dress up cold fireplaces during the warmer months. Another popular style was a fireplace fan, often more functional than wood screens since most fire screen fans were made out of metal.
Vintage Wood Fire Screens
Many of the vintage wood screens are now valuable works of art. Some were created in various shapes and cutouts of animals. Scenes were painted on the screens or if an animal shape was used then the animal features were painted. Still, a few of the decorative fire screens were made with wood frames supporting various stained glass designs. You can find a few modern fire screens that duplicate the more popular designs of the Arts and Craft style.
Stained Glass and Wood Fireplace Screens Examples
While it is very difficult to find stained glass and wood fire screens, it isn't impossible.
You can find some very unique designs in the Arts and Craft style. Meyda Tiffany makes several unique Arts and Craft fire screens that you can use to decorate your fireplace when not in use.
Ginkgo Stained Glass and Wood Fireplace Screen
Meyda fireplace screen is made out of tiffany-styled stained-glass. The overall style is in keeping with the popular Arts and Crafts line motif. Green gingko leaves are stylized in a fanning effect reminiscent of art deco and adorn the top panels. The remaining stained glass panels are made out of a soft beige stained glass. The entire screen is framed in wood finished in an oak stain in keeping with the period style design.
Using Fireplace Screens
If you're seeking a serviceable fireplace screen then you'll want to be sure to use a metal one. This is the best option for heat resistance. A stained glass or a stained glass and wood screen is purely for decorative purposes and should never be used with a fire in the fireplace. Such a decorative screen is a great way to dress up a cold fireplace during the spring and summer months. Using a decorative fireplace screen can allow you to add a design element that introduces more color and repeats other patterns in your room décor.
