A Productive Rant About Fireplace Surrounds

Choosing Fireplace Surrounds That Match Your Interior Design Style

The perfect surround for your fireplace can be the difference between enhancing or ruining the look of the room regardless of whether you have electric or wood-burning fireplace. Finding a fireplace surround that matches your interior style is not always easy.

Brick can be utilized in contemporary, rustic or farmhouse-style homes. It's also an excellent choice for homeowners with a limited budget, as it is easy to paint.

Wood

A wood fireplace surround is a crucial piece of furniture as it creates a focal point in the room, and also breaks up the wall that would otherwise be blank. A wooden surround makes it much easier to hang holiday decorations. Pine surrounds can be used for garlands and wreaths and are easily removed after the holiday season.

When choosing a wood fireplace surround, it's essential to choose one that is in keeping with the style of your home. Wooden fireplace surrounds can be found in a range of styles and finishes that match any style from contemporary to traditional. There are a variety of options for size and design. Some fireplace surrounds are flat and set in a flush with the wall. Others are designed as a mantel that is positioned away from the wall.

The most sought-after wood used for fireplace surrounds. It is durable and beautiful. It is a strong, dense timber that is impervious to shrinkage, warping and swelling. It is also hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture from the air, so this helps to shield it from damage and attack by fungal organisms.

The pine and oak veneers are also available as wood fireplace surrounds. Both materials are reasonably priced and are usually sold as complete surrounds, which include the hearth and back panels. They are available from a number of home and DIY stores. Online retailers like Pureglow offer them regularly.

It is important to remember that a wood-lined surround needs to be set a certain distance from the opening of the firebox for security. The distance is determined by determining the clearance for freestanding Fireplace fire hazards requirements, based on codes, regulations and laws for your area.

Stone

A stone fireplace surround is a great way to give an inviting and rustic style to your home. It's not just a way to blend in with the style of your interior but it can also increase the value of your home. Indeed, some studies show that a beautifully constructed fireplace can help your home sell faster and at a higher value.

There are a variety of types of stone that can be used for your fireplace's surround, such as granite and marble. Both are highly durable and can last a long time with little maintenance. They are also generally less expensive than hardwood.

While natural stone may be somewhat more expensive than other materials, it comes with a high quality of durability and beauty that is worth the cost. You can choose from a wide range of colors, patterns and textures to create the perfect look for your home. You can even choose to have your fireplace surround made from natural stone, which makes it an exclusive design element.

Stone surrounds work well with gas and wood fireplaces. Stone surrounds are able to withstand high temperatures, and they aren't warped or cracked when exposed to heat. They also resist scratches, stains, and abrasions. Granite is a well-known and inexpensive choice for a ethanol fireplace surround. It is scratch resistant, non-porous and resistant to chemicals that would otherwise damage other surfaces in the home.

One disadvantage of a stone fireplace surround is that it can be difficult to clean. The concrete joints and crevices between the stones could trap household dirt. It is important to regularly clean your fireplace to avoid any accumulation that could cause an hazard to fire or health problem.

Marble

Marble is a lux material that can transform any fireplace into an eye-catching centerpiece. The beautiful stone works well in a variety of styles, from modern to traditional, making it easy to find a marble surround that coordinates with your design. Marble fireplaces are great for open floor plans, adding elegance and class to the room and bringing cohesion between various zones.

In contrast to other materials, marble is inert to heat, which means it won't change color or become warped as the ethanol fire gets hotter. It also helps to insulate the heat, helping to keep the area warm even after the fireplace has been removed. Marble comes in a variety of finishes and colors, so you're sure to find the right one to fit your style.

If you're going with an elegant fireplace, you'll want to choose the color that is compatible with other design elements in the room. White marble is a timeless option for neutral tones. It can be paired up with wood trim and accent pieces to create a classy appearance. Darker marbles, like the ones featured in this home designed by Tamsin Johnston work well with earth tones and softer styles.

If you decide to install a fireplace in marble be prepared for extra maintenance. Marble is more prone to staining than other materials and requires frequent sealing in order to maintain its beauty. It is also important to wipe the marble down frequently to avoid etching or water staining. There are a variety of marble cleaning products available. However, you should test them first in a safe area before using them to clean your marble surround. If you're not comfortable with committing to a constant routine of maintenance, think about granite as an alternative that is affordable alternative.

Granite

Granite is a natural stone option that can add a stunning accent to any fireplace. It's a sturdy stone that resists wear and tear and holds up to high temperatures, making it a great choice for fireplaces. It is also non-combustible, which keeps the area around the fire safe from ash or other debris that could fall and harm its surface.

Your customers can select from a wide array of granite color options to customize their fireplace surrounds. Consider black and white swirls to match the geometric design of modern gas fireplaces. A marbled granite surround that extends several feet around the frame of a wood-burning fireplace can create a single wall fires feature in a traditional living space.

Limestone is a non-combustible alternative with a classic aesthetic for any home. It is a stone with light browns grays, creams and greys that can blend with various styles and design themes. It is resistant to heat and is able to resist smoke from burning wood. However, it needs to be sealed on a regular basis to prevent staining and water penetration.

If your clients want an icy tone, consider Baracuda blue granite. It has oceanic ripples in shades of white, grey and blue. This granite is stunning next to a roaring fire, and it's also easy to clean to keep the area looking gorgeous.

Granite is an igneous rock derived from magma. It has superior strength and durability. It's rated 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness. This means that it's extremely difficult to scratch or chip. Granites can endure enormous amounts of pressure without breaking or cracking. This is a crucial element that allows granite structures to remain intact for centuries.

Steel

A steel fireplace surround is a great option to bring modern design to your home. Its neutral appearance works well with a variety of decors and it is very easy to maintain. It is possible to use it on its own or combine it with other materials, such as wood to create a traditional style.

A metal surround can also be used to assist with draft issues. It creates a more tightly-packed space for combustion, which can help reduce the amount of heat that escapes the flue. This can be especially useful for gas-powered ethanol fireplaces.

Steel fireplace surrounds come in various styles and finishes. Some of the fireplace surrounds made of steel are polished and brushed for an elegant appearance. Others have rougher textures that add an element of contrast to the room. The type of steel you select will depend on the style you prefer and the color scheme that you have selected for your space.

Some steel fireplace surrounds include a mantel, which can be used to hold decorative objects like pots or plants. The design of the mantel can be different but most come with a simple or stepped design to give more dimension to your fireplace.

Alternately, you can opt to install a surround with no mantel. This is typically less expensive and works best for smaller rooms, as an enormous surround could take over the space.

It is important to take into account the dimensions of your hearth as well as the chimney breast when installing the new surround. This will help ensure that the surround is safe away from the fireplace opening and that it doesn't extend beyond the front of the hearth (which wouldn't be safe or look nice). If you are using a combustible material for your surround then you will need to take into consideration the rules and codes applicable to your particular area of residence. A professional can help you on this.