What you see is exactly what you get – a sturdy glass plate with appealing silver legs. The assembly process was quick and easy. It's exceptionally robust and well-made. I find it a bit frustrating to see negative reviews about the glass shattering. Well, of course, glass will shatter if you expose it directly to fire – common sense, right? The instructions clearly state that this is a shield meant to be kept a certain distance away from the fire. It serves as a beautiful guard to keep pets, children, etc., away from the fireplace but is not designed to seal the fireplace and absorb heat. Products for that purpose typically involve chain metal and are different from this one. I use it during winter to place in front of the fireplace to minimize cold drafts from outside, and it works perfectly while looking lovely and unobtrusive. So, yes, if you push a piece of glass against a fire, it will shatter. Common sense goes a long way.