10 Quick Tips About Fireplace Surrounds

Choosing Fireplace Surrounds That Match Your Interior Design Style

The perfect surround for your fireplace can make or break the look of the room, whether you have an electric or wood-burning fireplace. Finding a fireplace surround that matches your interior style is not always straightforward.

Brick is a great option that can fit into contemporary, rustic or farmhouse-style homes. It's also a great option for homeowners with a limited budget, since it is easily painted.

Wood

A wood fireplace surround is an important piece of furniture since it creates an accent piece for the room, and it also helps break up a wall that may otherwise be empty. Additionally, a wood surround makes it easier to hang decorations for the holidays. Pine surrounds, in particular, can be used to hang garlands and wreaths, and they are easily removed after the holiday season is over.

When choosing a wood fireplace surround, it's important to choose one that is in keeping with the style of your home. Wooden surrounds are available in a range of styles and finishes that suit any decor from contemporary to traditional. There are also a wide range of options in terms of size and design. Some fireplace surrounds are flat and set directly against the wall. Some are designed as a mantel that is positioned away from the wall.

The most popular kind of fireplace surround made from wood is oak, which is recognized as an extremely durable and beautiful material. It is a hard solid wood that is impervious to swelling, warping, and shrinkage. It is also hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture from the air, which helps to protect it against damage and attack by fungal organisms.

The pine and oak veneers are also available as wood fireplace surrounds. Both are fairly inexpensive and are typically sold as complete surrounds that include the hearth and back panels. They are available from several home and DIY stores. They are also commonly sold online by retailers such as Pureglow.

It is essential to keep in mind that a wood surround should be placed a certain distance from the opening of the firebox to ensure safety. This distance is determined in accordance with the fire hazard clearance requirements based on codes regulations, laws and regulations for your area.

Stone

A fireplace surround made of stone can provide an inviting and rustic look to your home. It can boost the value of your house because it not only blends in with your style, but also matches it. Some studies have shown that a fireplace with a good design can aid in selling your house faster and at more money.

There are many kinds of stones can be used to create your ethanol fireplace's surround, including granite and marble. Both are durable and can last for a long period of time with little maintenance. They are also often cheaper than hardwood.

While natural stone may be a bit more expensive than other materials, it provides a high quality of durability and beauty that make it a worthwhile cost. You can pick from a variety of shades, patterns and textures to create a unique look for your home. You can opt to have a custom-made fireplace surround made of natural stone. This makes it an exclusive design element.

Stone surrounds are perfect for both gas and wood burning fireplaces. Stone surrounds resist high temperatures, and aren't warped or cracked when exposed to heat. They are also resistant to scratches, stains and abrasions. Granite, for example is one of the most sought-after and affordable options for a fireplace surround. It is non-porous, scratch-resistant and abrasion resistant to chemicals that can harm other surfaces.

One drawback of the stone fireplace surround is that it is difficult to clean. The crevices and joints between the stones could become traps for household dirt. It is essential to clean your fireplace regularly to prevent any buildup that could lead to a fire hazard or health issue.

Marble

Marble is a luxurious and elegant material that transforms any fireplace into a stunning feature. Marble surrounds are available in different styles, ranging from traditional to modern. marble fireplaces (look here) work best in open floor plans, introducing elegance and class to the room while providing cohesion between different zones.

Marble is heat resistant which means that unlike other materials it won't change color or shrink when the fireplace heats up. It also insulates the heat, allowing it to keep the room warm even after the fireplace has gone out. Marble is available in a wide variety of colors and finishes, so you're bound to find the ideal option that will suit your taste.

If you're going with a fireplace made of marble, you'll want to choose a color that complements other elements of design in the room. White marble looks great when paired with neutral tones and can be combined with wood trim or accent pieces to create a classic style. Darker marbles such as the swirls in this house by Tamsin Johnston look great with earthy tones and more relaxed styles.

If you decide to go with a marble fireplace, be prepared for some additional maintenance. Marble is more prone to staining than other materials and requires regular sealing in order to maintain its beauty. You'll also need to clean it frequently to prevent water and etching staining. Fortunately, there are special marble cleaners on the market to use however, be sure to test them in a non-glaring place prior to applying them to your marble surround. If you're not sure about committing to ongoing maintenance, you can consider granite instead as an affordable alternative.

Granite

Granite is a natural stone that can be used to create an impressive accent to any fireplace. It's a durable rock that is resistant to wear and tear and holds up to high temperatures, making it an ideal option for fireplaces. It's also non-combustible, which keeps the surrounding area of the fire safe from ash or other debris that might otherwise fall and damage its surface.

You can offer your customers a variety of granite colors for their fireplace surrounds. Consider swirls of white and black to match the geometric form of a modern gas fireplace. For a different look, a marbled granite surround that extends several feet around the frame of a fireplace with wood burning can create a single wall accent in a traditional living space.

The classic appearance of limestone is a great option for any home. It is a stone with light browns and creams, which can be incorporated into various styles and design themes. It is resistant against heat and can be able to withstand the smoke of burning wood. However, it needs to be sealed regularly to avoid staining and water penetration.

If your clients prefer a cooler tone, go for Baracuda Blue granite with oceanic ripples of blue, grey and white. This granite is stunning when placed next to a fire place and is easy to maintain.

Granite is an igneous rock that's formed from magma, which is why it naturally has superior durability and strength. It's rated 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which means that it's extremely difficult to chip or scratch. Granites can withstand enormous amounts of pressure without cracking or breaking. This is the main reason why granite structures can last for many centuries.

Steel

A steel surround for your fireplace is a great addition to any home. Its neutral appearance is easy to maintain and blends with many different styles of decor. You can choose to use it by itself or in conjunction with other materials such as wood to create a more traditional appearance.

A metal surround may also be used to help with draft issues. It creates a smaller area for combustion, which can reduce the amount of heat that escapes through the flue. This is particularly beneficial for gas-fuelled fireplaces.

Steel fireplace inserts surrounds can be found in various styles and finishes. Some are brushed or polished to give a more elegant look while others have a rougher surface to bring more contrast to an area. The type of steel that you select will be determined by your aesthetic preference and the color scheme chosen for your room.

Some steel surrounds include a mantel that can be used to display ornamental items such as vase or plants. The design of the mantel can be different but the majority of them have simple or stepped designs to add dimension to your fireplace.

Alternately, you can opt to install a surround with no mantel. This is typically cheaper and is ideal for smaller rooms, as the large surround can overwhelm the space.

When installing a new surround, it is important to consider the size of the hearth as well as the chimney breast. This will help ensure that the surround is located away from the opening of the fireplace and doesn't extend beyond the front of the hearth (which would not be safe or look attractive). If you're using a combustible product for your surround then you will need to take into consideration the regulations and codes for your particular area of residence. A professional can provide advice on this.