After years of use and abuse from roaring fires, your fireplace grate may be a little worse for wear, especially if it was a middle-of-the-road model. Maybe it’s time for a new one. But a fireplace grate is something you don’t (and shouldn’t have to!) buy very often. So the question is, “How much should I pay for a new grate?”

HY-C manufactures several styles of fireplace grates. Just one of our brands, Liberty Foundry Co., has a few distinct varieties available. In this guide, we’re going to break down the cost of each of our Liberty Foundry Co. fireplace grates. We’ll explain the factors that determine the cost of our grates and, even if you don’t think a Liberty Foundry Co. grate is the right choice for you, you’ll be able to use this pricing guide as a measuring stick against other popular brands on the market.

The Two Big Factors That Determine the Cost of a Fireplace Grate

There are a few things that determine the cost of a fireplace grate. With so many grates on the market — some of which may cost as little as $50 and others as much as $300 or more — it’s natural to wonder why there’s such a big price gap.

And while the factors that determine the cost of a fireplace grate are relatively complex, for the purpose of this guide, we’re going to focus on two of the biggest: grate material and grate size.

1. Grate Material

There are two common fireplace grate materials: cast iron and steel. Steel is the more expensive option of the two, as it’s stronger, has a higher melting point, and takes more time and energy to shape and mold.

As an example, our Sampson G500-20 cast iron grate measures 18” x 15” x 7.5” and costs around $100. Our similarly-sized Steel Bar Grates G200-18 is made of steel, measures a comparable 18” x 15” x 7.5”, and costs around $125.

2. Grate Size

The second major factor that affects the price of a fireplace grate is its size. It’s a pretty simple concept: bigger grates require more material to make, so they cost more than smaller grates made from the same material.

Our Franklin G Series consists of four cast iron grates, all with a similar, basket-style shape. The only difference between them is their dimensions. The Franklin G16 measures 15” x 9” by 5” and costs around $115, while the Franklin G27 measures 27” x 13” x 5.25” and costs upwards of $200. Bigger dimensions mean more material which means a higher cost.

Liberty Foundry Co. Fireplace Grates Pricing

Liberty Foundry Co. manufactures six lines of fireplace grates:

1. The Franklin G Series
2. The G800 Series
3. The G1000 Series
4. The G500 Sampson Series
5. The GT SAF-T-GRATE Series
6. The Steel Bar Grate Series

The price of each grate is determined (among other factors) by its size and the material from which it’s made. Please note that while the following price ranges are fairly accurate, prices may differ from retailer to retailer.

The Franklin G Series

These one-piece, flat-bottom, basket-style fireplace grates are made from cast iron and feature a pained black finish. The Franklin G Series is available in four sizes, and their price increases with size. The G17, G22, and G27 models are also available with a longer four-inch clearance height, which provides more room toward the bottom to accommodate log lighters.

The G800 Series

The G800 Series consists of three styles of grates: the G800-20, G800-24, and G800-27. All three basket-style grates are made of cast iron, and they come standard with a 4” leg clearance length. They feature a painted black finish and are available in three different sizes.

The G1000 Series

Made from heavy-duty cast iron, the G1000 Series consists of two curved, basket-style fireplace grates models. Both grates in the series come standard with a 2.5” leg clearance, but they’re also available with a 4” leg height to offer some more room to light the fire and scoop out ashes. The longer-legged models cost a bit more than the standard versions.

The G500 Sampson Series

The G500 Sampson Series is one of our most robust lines of fireplace grates. These cast iron grates feature a curved design, allowing logs to roll down the grate as they burn and for new, fresh logs to be added on top. They’re modular, too; if you need to elongate your grate, you can purchase an eight-inch-wide extension section and add it to any of the five models.

The GT SAF-T-GRATE Series

Our GT-SAF-T-GRATE Series puts the highest emphasis on safety of any of our grates. They’re very similar to the G500 Sampson series, only bulkier, ensuring embers stay on the grate and don’t fall out of your fireplace. All three models are made from cast iron and feature a self-feeding design to keep old logs rolling down and fresh logs coming in.

The Steel Bar Grate Series

As its name implies, our Steel Bar Grate Series is made of steel — the only line of Liberty Foundry Co. grates not to be made from cast iron. These bar-style grates feature an ember guard mesh, ensuring burning wood stays on the grate and in your fireplace. There are four sizes available in the series, each with a black, painted finish and 4.5” of leg clearance.

Should You Get a Liberty Foundry Co. Fireplace Grate?

That entirely depends. With prices from $100 to $250, our grates tend to be more expensive than other models on the market. One of the problems with those other models, though, is that as time goes on and you use your fireplace more and more, grates made from more budget-friendly materials tend to wear and warp. In some cases, the grate may even break into pieces.

While they’re certainly more of an investment up front, Liberty Foundry Co. grates feature durable metals perfect for those who use their fireplace often. If you only light two or three fires per year, a cheaper grate may be perfect for your circumstances.

The cost of a fireplace grate is probably a topic you rarely (if ever) think about. And when it comes time to buy a new one, you may be left feeling like you have no idea what you should pay.

Now that you have some decent insight into how much a high-quality grate will cost, shop around to see if you can find one with the features to fit your budget. And if you want to give a Liberty Foundry Co. grate a try, we’ll be happy to help you find a distributor.

You probably don’t think much about your fireplace grate. After all, it’s just a metal rack that holds burning firewood. But when the old grate that’s been in your house since you bought it begins to deteriorate, or when you decide to have a fireplace installed in your home, you suddenly realize two things: firstly, you need a new fireplace grate, and secondly, you (probably) have no idea how much they cost.

The short answer is that a typical fireplace grate costs anywhere from $100 to $250. But why the three-figure discrepancy? What determines the price, and how much should you actually spend?

In this guide, we’ll clear up all the confusion and lean on our decades of fireplace grate manufacturing experience to explain what drives the cost of a grate up or down so you can make an educated buying decision.

Top 3 Fireplace Grate Cost Factors

1. Materials

Materials are at the heart of the variables that determine the cost of a fireplace grate. Premium metals like stainless steel and cast iron provide exceptional durability, corrosion resistance, and longevity. Stainless steel in particular is strong and resistant to rust, while cast iron offers excellent heat retention.

Mild steel and coated steel fireplace grates, on the other hand, are budget-friendly alternatives to higher-quality metal grates. Just keep in mind that these materials may lack longevity; mild steel tends to be susceptible to rust, while burning firewood may eventually remove the coat on a coated steel grate over time.

2. Metal Thickness

Along with the metal itself, its thickness (or gauge) plays a role in determining the cost of a fireplace grate. Grates made from thicker metal are sturdy and durable. They also stand up against warping under heavy loads and burn-through — the process where, over time, burning wood actually splits the metal of the fireplace grate in half, effectively ruining it.

There’s no question that grates made from thinner metal offer a lower upfront price tag — a potentially attractive option depending on your budget. The downside of thin fireplace grates, though, is that they’re less durable. They may experience warping, bending, or burn-through. If that’s the case, it may be time to buy a new grate a little sooner than you’d expected.

3. Customization and Standardization

Some customers may prefer for their fireplace grate to have a unique design or an intricate pattern. Some fireplaces may have non-standard dimensions that require a customized fireplace grate. In either case, these custom grates usually require additional resources, design expertise, and production flexibility from the manufacturer, resulting in a higher price tag.

It’s much easier (and more cost-effective) for a manufacturer to produce standard-sized fireplace grates. With fewer and more consistent sizes to make, manufacturers can streamline the production process and reduce cost, passing the savings on to consumers.

Why Are Some Company’s Fireplace Grates More Expensive?

As you shop around, you may find that some company’s grates cost more than others. That may seem confusing at first, but there are three big reasons for the discrepancies: the quality of the grates, the manufacturer’s reputation in the industry, and the features the grate comes with.

Premium Quality

Like any other product in any other industry, some manufacturers put more effort into the quality of their fireplace grates than others, and they demand a higher price for their grates as a result. Utilizing top-notch materials, applying meticulous craftsmanship, and creating grates with exceptional performance standards drives up the cost of those grates. These manufacturers may also invest in innovation and research & development for their fireplace grates, passing those costs onto their customers.

Brand Reputation

Sometimes, you pay a little more for the name. Established companies with a strong industry reputation command higher prices for their fireplace grates. Their history of reliability, customer satisfaction, and proven quality come with higher buyer confidence — and a higher asking price.

Exclusive Features and Technology

Though they may seem humble and straightforward, there’s more to a fireplace grate than just a few pieces of metal. Some grates feature advanced airflow designs to keep flames from faltering. Some grates are designed with heat distribution systems, ensuring an efficient burn that pushes radiated heat where it’s supposed to go: into the home. Still other grates come equipped with unique safety mechanisms that prevent embers from spilling out of the firebox. These innovative features and technology are nice to have; just remember that they’ll drive up the price of the grate.

Why Are Some Company’s Fireplace Grates Less Expensive?

On the flip side of the cost coin, some companies do a stellar job producing more cost-effective fireplace grates. How do they pull it off? It boils down to three things: cost-effective manufacturing processes, simplicity in the design of their grates, and appealing to a more general market.

Cost-Efficient Manufacturing and Simplicity in Design

Some companies have their manufacturing processes down to a science. Optimizing production, minimizing overheads, and leveraging economies of scale allow for competitive pricing options and more savings for consumers.

There’s beauty in simplicity — and there’s also cost reductions. Producing fireplace grates with less complex designs that come in standard sizes results in a much more straightforward manufacturing process. You, as the homeowner, will pay less for these grates as a result.

Targeting a Mass Market

Not everyone needs a fancy fireplace grate with all the bells and whistles attached. In fact, most consumers will opt for a grate that prioritizes functionality over premium features. Manufacturers implement lower prices to target these budget-conscious consumers in order to attract a wider customer base — a win-win for the buyer and the seller.

How Much Should You Spend on Your Fireplace Grate?

If you didn’t think much about your fireplace grate before, do probably do now. The materials, the technology, the features, the quality — they’re what determine the cost of the grate, and they’re what you should look out for when you’re making your purchase. Make sure you go over your options with these ideas in mind to find one that fits your budget and your wood-burning needs.

Luckily, after you buy your grate, there’s not much left to do. A bit of simple assembly may be required, but from there, just set it in your fireplace, throw some logs in, and enjoy the crackling comfort. In the meantime, be sure your fireplace has the right chimney cap on top; it will go a long way toward keeping animals out of your chimney and fireplace gasses venting correctly.