A Productive Rant About Fireplace Surrounds

Choosing Fireplace Surrounds That Match Your Interior Design Style

Whether you have an electric or wood burning fireplace, the right surround can really make the space. The right surround to match your interior style is not always straightforward.

Brick is a great choice for modern, rustic, or farmhouse-style homes. It's also a great choice for homeowners on a budget, since it is easily painted.

Wood

A fireplace surround made of wood is a crucial piece of furniture as it creates a focal point within the room and can break up the wall that might otherwise be blank. In addition, a wooden surround makes it easier to hang holiday decorations. Pine surrounds can be used to hang wreaths and garlands and are easily taken down after the holidays.

When selecting a wood fireplace surround, it's important to choose one that matches the style of your home. Wooden surrounds come in a range of styles and finishes that suit any style, from traditional to contemporary. There are a myriad of options for size and design. For instance, some fireplace surrounds come in a flat style that is to the wall flush, while others are designed to be a mantel, and are positioned to be a distance away from it.

The most popular type of wood fireplace surround is oak, and it is recognized as beautiful and durable. It is a strong, solid wood that is resistant to swelling, warping, and shrinkage. It is also hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture from air, which helps to protect it against fungal attack and damage.

Pine and oak veneers are also available as wood fireplace surrounds. Both materials are reasonably priced and are typically sold as complete surrounds, which include the hearth and back panels. These are available from a number of home and DIY stores. They are also commonly sold online by retailers like Pureglow.

It is essential to remember that a wood surround must be placed at a certain distance from the opening of the firebox for safety. This distance is determined by the clearance for fire hazards requirements that are based upon the codes and regulations applicable to the area you live in.

Stone

A stone fireplace surround is a fantastic way to give a rustic and warm style to your home. It can boost the value of your home since it not only blends in with your style, but also complements it. Indeed, some studies have shown that a well designed fireplace can help your home sell faster and at a higher value.

You can pick from a wide range of stones for your fireplace's surround. These include marble and granite. Both are durable and can last for a long amount of time with little maintenance. Additionally they are generally less expensive than wood.

Natural stone is more expensive than other materials but it has a higher level of beauty and durability and is therefore a worthy investment. You can choose between various patterns, colors, and textures to create a distinctive design for your home. You can opt to have a custom-made fireplace surround made of natural stone. This will create a unique design element.

Stone surrounds are a great choice for both wood and gas fireplaces shop. They can withstand high temperatures and do not shrink or crack when exposed to heat. They also resist scratches, stains, and abrasions. Granite, for instance is among the most popular and affordable alternatives for a fireplace surround. It is scratch-resistant, non-porous and abrasion-resistant to chemicals that can harm other surfaces.

One disadvantage of the stone fireplace surround is that it can be difficult to clean. The crevices and concrete joints between the stones could become traps for household dirt. Cleaning your fireplace on a regular basis is vital to avoid any buildup that could lead to a health problem or fire hazard.

Marble

Marble is a luxurious material that elevates any fireplace to an eye-catching centerpiece. The stunning stone can be used in a range of styles, ranging from modern to traditional, which makes it easy to find the perfect marble surround to go with your design. Marble fireplaces make a wonderful alternative to open floor plans. They can add style and sophistication while bringing cohesion between the various zones.

Like other materials, marble is inert to heat, which means it doesn't change color or warp as the fireplace gets hotter. It also insulates heat, which helps to keep the area warm even after the fire goes out. Marble is available in a wide variety of colors and finishes, so you're certain to find the perfect option to match your style.

If you choose to install a fireplace that is made of marble, you will want to choose a shade that complements the other design elements in the room. White Fireplace marble is a popular option for neutral tones. It can be paired with wood trim and accent pieces to create an elegant appearance. Darker marbles, such as the deep swirls found in this home designed by Tamsin Johnson, complement earth tones and more relaxed styles.

Be prepared for extra maintenance if you choose a fireplace made of marble. Marble is more prone to staining than other materials and requires regular sealing to preserve its appearance. It is also important to wipe the marble down frequently to avoid etching or water stains. There are marble cleaning products available on the market. However, you should test them first in a private area prior to using them to clean your marble surround. If you're not comfortable committing to ongoing maintenance, you can consider granite as an alternative that is affordable alternative.

Granite

Granite is another natural stone that can be used to add an amazing accent to any fireplace. It's a durable stone that can withstand extreme temperatures and wear. This makes it an ideal choice for fireplaces. It's also non-combustible which helps to keep the area surrounding the fire free of the ash and other debris that could fall and cause damage to the surface.

Your customers can select from a variety of granite color options to personalize their fireplace surrounds. Consider swirls of white and black to match the geometric design of a modern gas fireplace. A marbled granite surround that spans several feet around a bioethanol fire area can create an eye-catching focal point on a single wall in an old-fashioned room.

The classic look of limestone is a wonderful option for any home. It is available in a variety of shades that include light browns and creams. It can be utilized to complement a range of styles and themes. It is abrasive to heat and can withstand the smoke that comes from burning wood, but it's important to know that limestone should be sealed regularly to protect it from staining and water penetration.

If your customers prefer a cooler tone, try Baracuda Blue granite with oceanic ripples of blue, grey and white. This granite looks amazing next to a glowing flame, and it's easy to clean to keep the area looking stunning.

Granite is an solid rock that's formed by magma, so it naturally possesses greater durability and strength. It's rated as seven on the Mohs scale of hardness, meaning that it's extremely difficult to chip or scratch. In contrast to other natural stones, that can break or crack easily under stress granites can stand up to a tremendous amount of stress without being damaged. This is a crucial element that allows granite structures to remain in place for centuries.

Steel

A fireplace surround made of steel is a great option to bring modern design to your home. Its neutral design works with many types of decor and is easy to maintain. You can use it alone or in conjunction with other materials such as wood for a more traditional look.

A metal surround can be beneficial to prevent draft issues. It creates a more tightly-packed area for combustion that helps reduce the amount of heat that escapes up the flue. This is especially useful for fireplaces wooden that run on gas.

Steel fireplace surrounds are available in a wide range of styles and finishes. Some are brushed or polished to create a more elegant appearance and others have a rougher surface to add contrast to an area. The type of steel that you select will be determined by your personal preference for aesthetics and the color scheme that you select for your space.

Some surrounds made of steel include a mantel that can be used to display decorative items such as vases or plants. Mantel designs can differ but most have a simple or stepped design to add dimension to your fireplace.

You can also install an only a surround, with or without the mantel. This option is often cheaper and is suitable for smaller rooms in which a massive surround might be too large for the space.

It is essential to take into account the dimensions of your hearth as well as the chimney breast when installing a new surround. This will ensure that the surround is safe from the fireplace opening and doesn't extend past the front of the hearth (which would not be safe or look nice). If you are planning to install an ignitable surround, you'll need to consider the local codes and regulations. A professional can provide advice on this.