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Adding Antique Splendor with Fireplace Andirons

As fireplace accessories, Andirons have been around since the sixteenth century. Stately homes featured these beautifully decorative antique brass andirons in their hearths, even though the basic purpose of fireplace andirons is to hold the burning logs. These days quite a few people prefer fireplace grates instead, but you will still find that people love the look of vintage andirons, if only to enhance the décor.

Since the fireplace is a much-preferred location in the home, it is important to ensure that it functions properly and is well maintained. Building a good fire is as vital as keeping the firewood stacked correctly. A well-stacked fireplace will receive adequate oxygen, letting the fire breathe. This means the wood needs to be slightly off the floor of the fireplace for air circulation. This can be done with fireplace grates or andirons. Andirons are definitely more charming and ornamental than fire grates.

Fireplace andirons are vertical, come as a pair connected by a horizontal iron bar. Logs of wood are laid across these bars in the open fireplace. These bars, also called guards can be of copper, iron, bronze or steel. Some antique andirons are even made of silver or gold! These guards can be highly decorative, adorned with intricate patterns or shapes such as animals or monsters. Nowadays we also see steel and aluminum andirons.

Andirons with long bars can hold more wood for large fires while short ones hold enough for small fires. They not only hold the logs in place, but also prevent them from rolling off. Fireplace andirons were also generically called firedogs, way back when they were molded with dogs or other creatures on them. Many online fireplace accessories sites offer a variety of decorative andirons, some of which feature reflective effects that look impressive when your fire is blazing. These andirons come in different finishes like satin brass, vintage iron or solid brass. You can choose fireplace andirons to specifically match with the rest of your décor and is complementary to your other fireplace accessories.

The vintage andirons were also used as supports for roasting spits, apart from holding logs of wood. Some of these even came with cups or pots used to hold and cook porridge. Nowadays this is not such a bright idea as direct cooking can emit smoke and other gases into the living area, making it smoky.

Although fireplace grates are more popular, andirons are showier. You can use them even if you do not have a fire, just like other fireplace accessories like tool sets that are ornate. Since most people prefer electric fireplaces and gas fireplace inserts rather than the conventional wood-burning fireplace, one might think that there is no place for various fireplace accessories. But that is not true. The choice of the type of fireplace is mainly to do with fuel efficiency, convenience and the maintenance factor. Fireplace accessories like andirons still hold a position of honor regardless of the kind of fireplace your home might have. In many families vintage andirons or antique brass andirons are lovingly handed down through the generations as heirlooms. Even though they may not be functional, they still serve a purpose by enhancing the looks of the hearth.

A survey conducted recently reveals that although fireplace andirons are part of the design element of your hearth, there are more than six hundred styles being sold today! These comprise of both the conventional and modern designs from companies like Western. Fireplace andirons and other fireplace tool sets are a specialty with Western. These are the best way to turn a boring hearth into an elegant and interesting centerpiece.

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