Hi, I am Melissa from NorthlineExpress and I am here with some helpful information for you while you are choosing your fireplace or fireplace rug this season. Rugs keep your feet warm and prevent you from slipping on slick tiles but some serve a more specific purpose such as protecting the flooring beneath them especially in high traffic areas or around your fireplace or wood stove.

Fireplace Rugs are specifically designed rugs that are going to help prevent fire and other damage to your flooring by protecting that wood flooring or carpeting beneath them from stay fireplace embers.

But do not be fooled you cannot throw just any old rug in front of your fireplace. When you are selecting a fireplace rug make sure you look for the guarantee that the rug is fire resistant.

While ceramic and stone flooring is not going to burn, carpeting and hardwood flooring may catch fire or even be damaged if one of the popping embers landed on it.

There are three main types of Fireplace Rugs: Wool, Fiberglass, and Synthetic. Let’s take a closer look at each type.

Video Highlights: 0:10 Purpose of a Hearth Rug 0:32 What to look for 0:45 The 3 main types of hearth rugs 0:48 Wool Hearth Rugs 1:13 Fiberglass Hearth Rugs 1:54 Synthetic Fiber Hearth Rugs 2:37 The 3 basic shapes

Wool Fireplace Rug

Wool Fireplace Rugs are natural fiber rugs that offer excellent protection for your flooring. Wool is not going to support a flame. Any embers that land on it are going to smolder and eventually self-extinguish.

Also wool will not char which makes this fireplace rug an excellent choice. Even if it does get a char mark on it the mark can simply be brushed out. If cost is not a consideration I definitely recommend looking for a wool fiber rug.

Fiberglass Fireplace Rug

Fiberglass Fireplace Rugs offer the most protection that is available. The fiberglass surface will not burn. The 100% fiberglass face on these rugs will also not be damaged by small embers or sparks. Flying embers that land on the fiberglass rugs are simply going to burn out harmlessly.

The back of most of the fiberglass rugs also have a heavy vinyl backing that is going to help the rug lay flat and is non-staining as well as fire retardant. Most fiberglass fireplace rugs can be spot cleaned with a sponge and warm soapy water.

Another nice thing about the fiberglass rugs is you do not really have to worry about toxic chemicals or fire retardants because fiberglass rugs are not treated with any chemicals as they are not necessary.

Synthetic Fiber or Polyester Fireplace Rug

There is also the Synthetic Fiber Fireplace Rugs such as nylon, olefin, and polyester. If you are looking for a more interesting patterned rug to spice your décor while protecting your flooring at the same time you should consider a nylon fireplace rug. Nylon rugs will not burn but they will melt when struck by a hot ember.

Then there are fireplace rugs that are made from olefin which is another synthetic fiber. Olefin rugs are also going to char if a burning log rolls on to them but it will not burn.

If a flying ember does land on them they are going to show melt marks or black marks on the rug that are not removable. However these rugs are the most cost- effective and offer just as great of protection.

Nylon, Olefin, and Polyester rugs are going to be the cheaper than the more expensive wool or fiberglass fireplace rugs but they are going to be the ones that you are going to have to replace more often.

Choose the Right Shape

Fireplace rugs come in three basic shapes. You are going to have rectangular, half round, and oval.

Rectangular fireplace rugs are going to sit flat against the straight edge of your fireplace and they are going to be usually about 22 inches deep.

Half round rugs, which look like a half circle, will also allow you to sit them flush against the fireplace and are going to be about 26 inches deep at the center of the rug.

There are also oval shaped fireplace rugs. Those are most frequently going to be the braided style rug and really suit a country style décor very well.

So just remember, you can keep your fireplace and home safe and still get a beautiful stylish look when you add a one of our functional and attractive fireplace rugs to your fireplace.

I hope you found this information helpful but if you still have questions regarding fireplace rugs please give our Customer Service Team a call at 1-866-667-8454. Here at NorthlineExpress, home of the “Buy and Try” Satisfaction Guarantee, we are always happy to help.