The Worst Advice We've Heard About Fireplace Surrounds

Choosing Fireplace Surrounds That Match Your Interior Design Style

The perfect surround for your fireplace can make or break the appearance of your home regardless of whether you have an electric or wood-burning fireplace. Finding a surround to match your style of interior isn't always straightforward.

Brick is a popular option that is a good fit for contemporary, rustic or farmhouse-style homes. It's also a great choice for those who are on a tight budget because it can be painted.

Wood

A wood fireplace surround is an essential piece of furniture since it creates a focal point for the room and also breaks up a wall that may otherwise be empty. Additionally, a wood surround makes it easier to hang decorations for the holidays. Pine surrounds can be used to hang wreaths and garlands and can be easily removed after the holiday season.

It is crucial to match the style of your home when choosing a wood surround for your tabletop fireplace. Wooden fireplace inserts surrounds can be found in a range of styles and finishes that suit any decor, from traditional to contemporary. There are many options for size and design. For example certain fireplace surrounds are available in a flat design that is set to the wall flush, while others are designed to act as an actual mantel and are set away from it.

Oak is the most well-known wood used to build fireplace surrounds. It is strong and beautiful. It is a sturdy and dense wood that is resistant to warping, shrinkage and swelling. It is also hygroscopic which means it absorbs moisture from air, thereby helping to shield it from fungal attack and damage.

Other types of fireplace surrounds made of wood are available, and include oak veneers and pine. Both of these are relatively inexpensive and are usually sold as complete surrounds, with the hearth and back panels included. They are available at many home and DIY stores. Online retailers like Pureglow sell them frequently.

It is crucial to remember that a wood-lined surround needs to be placed a certain distance from the opening of the firebox for safety. The distance is determined in accordance with the fire hazard clearance requirements, based on codes, regulations and laws for your region.

Stone

A stone fireplace surround can add a rustic and warm look to your home. It not only blends in with your interior design style, but it can also boost the value of your home. Indeed, some studies show that a beautiful designed fireplace can help you make your home sell faster and at a higher price.

You can pick from a wide range of stones for your fireplace surround. These include granite and marble. Both are durable and can last a long time with little maintenance. In addition, they are often cheaper than wood.

Natural stone is more expensive than other materials but it has a higher level of durability and beauty, making it worth the investment. You can choose between a variety of colors, patterns and textures to create a unique design for your home. You can also opt to have your fireplace's surround custom made with natural stone, making it an exclusive design element.

Stone surrounds work well with gas and wood fireplaces wood. Stone surrounds are able to withstand high temperatures, and aren't warped or cracked when exposed to extreme heat. They are also resistant to scratches, stains, and abrasions. Granite is a well-known and affordable choice for a fireplace surround. It is non-porous, scratch-resistant and abrasion resistant to chemicals that could otherwise harm other surfaces.

A stone fireplace surround can be difficult and time-consuming to clean. The concrete joints and crevices between the stones can hold household dirt. Cleaning your fireplace on a regular basis is crucial to avoid any buildup that could result in an illness or fire hazard.

Marble

Marble is a luxurious, elegant material that transforms any fireplace into a stunning centerpiece. Marble surrounds come in various styles ranging from traditional to contemporary. Marble fireplaces are great for open floor plans, bringing elegance and sophistication to the space while bringing harmony between different zones.

Like other materials, marble is inert to heat, so it will not change color or warp when the fireplace heats up. It also is able to absorb heat, which helps keep the area warm even after the fire goes out. Marble comes in a variety of finishes and colors, so you can find the perfect match to your style.

If you're going with a marble fireplace you'll need to select a color that complements other design elements in the room. White marble is great with neutral tones and can be paired with wood trim or accent pieces to create a classic style. Darker marbles, such as the rich swirls seen in this home designed by Tamsin Johnson, complement earth tones and more casual styles.

If you decide to opt for a marble fireplace, be prepared for some extra maintenance. Marble is more susceptible to staining than other materials, and requires regular sealing to preserve its beauty. It is also necessary to clean your marble regularly to avoid etching or water stains. There are a variety of marble cleaning products available on the market. But, you must test them in a private area prior to using them to clean your marble surround. If you're not comfortable committing to constant maintenance, consider granite instead as an affordable alternative.

Granite

Granite is an unnatural stone that can be used to create an impressive accent to any fireplace. It's a tough stone that is resistant to wear and tear and holds up to high temperatures, which makes it a perfect option for fireplaces. It's also non-combustible, which helps keep the area around the fire safe from ash or other debris that could fall and damage its surface.

You can provide your customers with a variety of granite colors to choose from for their fireplace surrounds. For a striking appearance take a look at black and white swirls that can enhance the geometric design of a modern-designed gas fireplace. A marbled granite surround that extends for several feet around a wood-burning fireplace space can create an eye-catching focal point on a single wall in the traditional space.

Limestone is another non-combustible option with a classic look for any home. It comes in a range of colors, including light browns and creams. It can be used to complement a wide variety of styles and design themes. It is abrasive to heat and is able to withstand the smoke of burning wood, but it is important to remember that limestone should be regularly sealed to guard it from water penetration and staining.

If your customers want a more cool tone, try Baracuda blue granite. It features oceanic ripples in shades of white, grey, and blue. This granite looks beautiful when placed next to a ethanol fire place and is easy to maintain.

Granite is an natural igneous rock, which is formed from magma, which is why it naturally possesses 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. Contrary to other natural stones which break or crack easily under pressure granites can stand up to a tremendous amount of stress without breaking. This is the main reason why granite structures last for centuries.

Steel

A fireplace surround made of steel is a great way to bring modern style to your home. Its neutral appearance works well with a variety of styles and is easy to maintain. You can choose to use it by itself or pair it with other materials such as wood for a more traditional look.

A metal surround can be used to help with draft issues. It provides a smaller space for combustion, which reduces the amount of heat that escapes the flue. This can be especially useful for fireplaces that are gas-powered.

Steel fireplace surrounds come in a wide range of styles and finishes. Some are polished or brushed to give a more elegant look and others are rougher to bring more contrast to a room. The kind of steel you select will be determined by your style preference and the color scheme chosen for your room.

Certain fireplace surrounds made of steel have a mantel that can be used to store decorative objects like vase or even plants. The mantel design can vary but the majority of them have simple or stepped designs to give a more dimensional look to your fireplace.

You can also opt to install a surround that does not have a mantel. This option is often less expensive and works well in smaller spaces where a large surround may take over the room.

It is crucial to take into account the dimensions of your hearth as well as the chimney breast when you are installing a new surround. This will ensure that the surround is located away from the opening of the fireplace and that it doesn't extend past the front of the hearth (which isn't safe nor look good). If you're using a combustible material for your surround, then you'll need to take into consideration the regulations and codes for your particular area of residence. A professional can advise you on this.