andirons what are
Though the invention of the fireplace grate eliminated the need for them, andirons are far from extinct on today`s well-manicured hearths. They`re the ``dressing,`` the ``decorative touch`` that turns the black hole into an opulent space, says Matthew Smyth, a New York interior designer who recently introduced a line of contemporary andirons. Andirons help you place your fire logs to best advantage. Your fire creates a draft by pulling in cool air from the bottom and heating it so it goes up the chimney, so the space under the andirons gives a clear path for air to enter—under the fire . When you use a grate with your andirons, the grate catches these log-ends and keeps them burning. There are two ways to use long shanked andirons with a fireplace grate. You can place them outside the grate, or you can use a grate with legs tall enough to clear their shanks. Though the invention of the fireplace grate eliminated the need for them, andirons are far from extinct on today`s well-manicured hearths.They`re the ``dressing,`` the ``decorative touch`` that Sections Fireplace Andirons. Your fireplace, properly accented, is the visual focal point of the room as well as the center of your home’s family and social life. Fireplace andirons, placed inside the firebox, are an important accent for a well-appointed fireplace. Decorative or Functional? When shopping for fireplace andirons it’s important to note the length of the shank—or “dog”—that the logs rest upon. At right, see an example of decorative andirons with short shanks. Andirons with 4-5 inch long shanks are purely decorative. They are made to go in front of a fireplace grate. Antique Andirons. Andirons are constructed of metal to hold flaming firewood slightly above the firebox floor to improve fireplace draw and ventilation. They typically stand upon two front legs connected to a central iron shaft, called a dog or billet bar which has a bent end to form the back foot. The traditional brass and iron designs are still favorites, evoking old English, early American and country themes, but hot entries in the market are sleek, contemporary-styled andirons, some even made of chrome. There are wide selection of styles and finishes that are currently available on andirons. You can even use andirons even if you do not have a real fire in yo... There are wide selection of styles and finishes that are currently available on andirons. You can even use andirons even if you do not have a real fire in your fireplace. Visit our site http://andirons.org for more information about andirons. Category Andirons used in colonial America were crudely fashioned of iron by local blacksmiths. 18th and 19th century andirons were constructed of three or more sections. These sections (except the base or feet) were hollow, cast in halves and silver soldered together. Back in the 16th Century, when they first emerged, andirons served a functional purpose in addition to being decorative. Shaped like an ``L,`` they were developed from crude iron bars called ``hand irons`` and were used to lift logs up off the hearth floor to increase air circulation underneath for a more robust fire.
Andirons are constructed of metal to hold flaming firewood slightly above the firebox floor to improve fireplace draw and ventilation.