Aluminum woven wire mesh, although not as popular as some steel options, is sometimes used as a fireplace screen mesh. Aluminum woven wire mesh has a silver color that adds brightness to residential spaces and weighs about 1/3 as much as steel alternatives.

Aluminum woven wire mesh is extremely flexible and malleable, and in some cases, a customer will select this mesh to take advantage of these unique qualities at an extremely attractive price point. That said however, there are tradeoffs: Aluminum woven wire mesh is not as strong or sturdy as plain steel or stainless steel woven wire mesh. Aluminum also has a lower melting point than steel, and because welding aluminum wire mesh to aluminum frame is extremely difficult, other fastening techniques are often used.

While we at Darby do not want to discourage a customer who has a distinct vision for a complete fireplace screen unit using aluminum woven wire mesh, we do want to share this: Our customers who use an aluminum woven wire mesh tend to focus on the artistic nature and appearance of the unit. In other words, functionality, for this type of customer, is not a primary concern.

Brass woven wire mesh is a popular item used as fireplace screen. As a copper alloy, Darby's brass woven wire mesh is comprised of 65% copper and 35% zinc. The inclusion of zinc is important, particularly for fireplace fabricators, because it provides added stiffness and rigidity, compared to its softer, copper wire mesh counterpart.

Golden yellow in color, brass woven wire mesh used in fireplace screen applications, according to many customers, is preferred when added into a rustic or traditional setting. Brass woven wire mesh offers a unique combination of sophistication and function and seems to be an ideal option for the customer who wants to create a look that is both distinctive and classic. Often times, customers will purchase this mesh for its extraordinary appearance and will use it to fabricate a customized, handmade fireplace screen to serve as a focal point in a home.

The color of bronze woven wire mesh is golden-brown with a slight tint of red, and when used in a fireplace screen application, the final look is best described as sophisticated, elegant and understated. Indeed, this particular woven wire mesh is one of Darby's best sellers for fireplace screen use in high end residences and luxury hotels.

Darby's bronze woven wire mesh, commonly used in fireplace screen applications, is comprised of 90% copper, 10% zinc, and is referred to as commercial bronze throughout the industry. Similar to brass woven wire mesh, Darby's bronze woven wire mesh is harder and stronger than its copper wire mesh counterpart on account of the inclusion of zinc. Over the years, our long-time customers have expressed their satisfaction in using this bronze wire mesh for use in one-of-a-kind fireplace screen units.

Copper woven wire mesh and other copper mesh alloys, such as brass and bronze woven wire mesh, are often used in fireplace screen applications. Copper woven wire mesh offers an ideal combination of elegance and function and is an attractive accent to a living or family room when used in a fireplace screening application. Often times, customers will purchase this mesh for its extraordinary appearance and will use it to fabricate a customized, handmade fireplace screen to serve as a focal point in a home. Reddish-orange in color, copper woven wire mesh, according to many customers, creates an antique and distinguished look to virtually any type of room.

Another advantage of copper woven wire mesh is that because it is a softer metal, it is bendable and malleable, particularly when compared to steel or stainless steel. Copper mesh, when bent, will not spring back, and because of this, it can be used in more intricate design configurations. Throughout the years, fireplace fabricators have used a number of techniques to fasten this mesh to a frame; perhaps the most popular is lacing or tying this mesh to a frame using wire.

In plain steel woven wire mesh, Darby offers two mesh options that are used as fireplace screen. Generally speaking, plain steel remains the most popular and most requested material because of its strength and durability. Its dark color and mill finish create a classic and old-world look.These particular specifications, offered here, have numerous benefits:

Economical: Plain steel is among one of the most economically priced options for this type of application. Please note that, by and large, mesh pricing is based on weight of material, and heavier specifications often have a higher SQFT price.

Ease to Work With: Plain steel woven wire mesh commonly used as fireplace screen is relatively easy to work with - it can be cut with a pair of tin snips and can be bent or formed by hand. It is also rigid, stiff and strong.

Versatility: Darby’s plain steel woven wire mesh is dark in color and is usually available with an ultra-light coating that will withstand rust for a short amount of time in a normal environment. After market, this wire mesh can be colored, painted or manipulated to create the desired appearance. And with available widths of 36" and 48" even larger fireplace screens can be customized.

Options: Darby’s plain steel woven wire mesh commonly used in fireplace screen applications is available in two different diameter wires: 0.028" and 0.035" diameters. 0.028" is largely considered the standard and more popular, while the 0.035" is a heavier duty, even more rigid option. Selecting the appropriate diameter wire is an important decision when fabricating an entire fireplace screen unit. Usually, if a customer is looking to fasten, wrap or hinge this mesh to a frame, 0.028" diameter wire is a good choice because it is easier to work with. If, on the other hand, a customer is welding this mesh to a frame, 0.035" diameter is usually preferred, especially if extra rigidity is required.

Stainless steel woven wire mesh, and in particular T-304 SS, can be used in fireplace screen applications. Some customers prefer stainless steel woven wire mesh for use as a fireplace screen because it offers a unique, industrial and modern look. Over the years, customers have told us that, especially in dark rooms, stainless steel, with its silver color, tends to brighten and liven up a room. Stainless steel woven wire mesh used in fireplace screen applications is strong and offers such a high level of corrosion resistance that, in most normal environments, it should last indefinitely.

Over the years, we at Darby have learned that customers for this type of mesh tend to be creative and experimental. Whether they use an oil-based solution, glass cleaner with vinegar, soap and water, chrome plating, electro-polishing, a heat torch, or other chemicals, the silver color of stainless Steel can be manipulated with some good old-fashioned elbow grease and research.

Darby's stainless steel woven wire mesh commonly used in fireplace screen applications is available in three different diameter wires: 0.028", 0.032" and 0.035" diameters.

0.028" is largely considered the standard and more popular, while the 0.032" and 0.035" are heavier, more rigid options. Selecting the appropriate diameter wire is an important decision when fabricating an entire fireplace screen unit. Usually, if a customer is looking to fasten, wrap or hinge this mesh to a frame, 0.028" diameter wire is a good choice because it is easier to work with. If, on the other hand, a customer is welding this mesh to a frame, either 0.032" or 0.035" diameters are a good choice, especially if extra rigidity is required.