Choosing Fireplace Surrounds That Match Your Interior Design Style
The perfect surround for your fireplace can be the difference between enhancing or ruining the appearance of your home, whether you have a wood-burning or electric fireplace. But finding a surround that matches your style of interior can be a bit tricky.
Brick is a great choice for modern, rustic, or farmhouse style homes. It's also a great choice for homeowners with a limited budget, since it is easily painted.
Wood
A wood fireplace surround is an important piece of furniture as it provides a focal point for the room and also breaks up walls that would otherwise be empty. In addition, a wooden surround makes it easier to hang decorations for the holidays. Pine surrounds, in particular, can be used to hold wreathes and garlands and these are easily removed after the holiday season is over.
It is important to fit in with the style of your home when choosing a surround made of wood for your fireplace. Wooden fireplace surrounds can be bought in a variety of styles and finishes that complement any decor from traditional to contemporary. There are many options for size and design. Some fireplace surrounds are flat and set directly against the wall. Others are designed to be an elongated mantel that is set away from the wall.
The most popular type of wood fireplace surround is oak, and it is renowned for being a durable and beautiful material. It is a dense, solid wood that is impervious to swelling, warping, and shrinkage. It is also hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture from air, thereby helping to guard against fungal attack and damage.
The pine and oak veneers are also available as wood fireplace surrounds. Both are relatively inexpensive and are often sold in complete surrounds, with the hearth and back panel included. They are available from many DIY and home-based stores. They are also sold through online retailers like Pureglow.
When buying a wood fireplace surround, it is crucial to keep in mind that it should be placed at a certain distance from the firebox opening for safety reasons. This distance is determined based on fire hazard clearance requirements based on codes, regulations and laws for your area.
Stone
A fireplace surround made of stone is a fantastic way to give a warm and rustic appearance to your home. It can boost the value of your home because it not only blends in with your interior style but also complements it. A few studies have demonstrated that a well-designed fireplace suite can assist you in selling your home faster and for a higher price.
You can choose from a range of stone options for your fireplace's surround. These include granite and marble. Both are durable and can last for a long period of time with little maintenance. They are also generally less expensive than hardwood.
While natural stone may be slightly more expensive than other materials, it offers an exceptional level of durability and beauty that is worth the investment. You can choose from a wide selection of patterns, colors and textures to create the perfect look for your room. You can choose to have a custom-made fireplace surround made from natural stone. This will create an exclusive design element.
Stone surrounds work well with both wood and gas fireplaces. Stone surrounds are resistant to high temperatures, and they don't crack or warp when exposed to heat. They are also resistant to scratches and stains. Granite is a well-known and inexpensive choice for fireplace surrounds. It is scratch-resistant, non-porous and abrasion-resistant to chemicals that could otherwise 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. Cleaning your fireplace regularly is vital to avoid any buildup which could cause an illness or fire risk.
Marble
Marble is a luxurious and elegant material that turns any fireplace into a stunning focal point. Marble surrounds come in a variety of styles from traditional to modern. marble fireplaces, click through the following document, work well in open floor plans, bringing elegance and class to the room while providing cohesion between different zones.
Marble is a heat-resistant material 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 space warm even after the fireplace is gone. Marble comes in a wide variety of colors and finishes, so you're certain to find the perfect option to fit your style.
If you're going with a marble fireplace, you'll want to choose one that matches other elements of design in the room. White marble looks great when paired with neutral tones and can be paired with wood trim or accent pieces to create a classic appearance. Darker marbles such as the swirls in this house by Tamsin Johnston look great with earth tones and softer styles.
Be prepared for additional maintenance if you decide to install a marble fireplace insert. Marble is more prone to staining than other materials and requires frequent sealing to preserve its appearance. You will also need to clean the marble frequently to avoid etching or water stains. There are marble cleaning products available. However, it is recommended to test them first in a discreet area before using them to clean your marble surround. Granite is an excellent alternative to marble when you don't want be a constant maintenance person.
Granite
Granite is natural stone that can be used to add an impressive accent to any fireplace. It is a durable stone that is able to withstand high temperatures and wear. This makes it an excellent option for fireplaces shop. It's also a non-combustible material which helps keep the area surrounding the fire free of the possibility of ash and other debris which might fall and harm the structure.
You can offer your customers an array of granite colors for their fireplace surrounds. For a striking look think about black and silvery white swirls that will enhance the geometric design of a modern-style gas fireplace. A marbled granite surround that extends several feet around a fire space can create the perfect focal point for one wall in a traditional room.
Limestone is a different non-combustible choice with a classic look for any home. This stone is available in a range of colors that include light browns and creams. It can be used to complement a variety of styles and design themes. It is abrasive to heat and can withstand smoke of burning wood, however it is important to remember that limestone should be regularly sealed to protect it from staining and water penetration.
If your clients want a cooler tone try Baracuda blue granite. It features oceanic ripples in shades of white, grey, and blue. It looks stunning in a fireplace and is easy to maintain.
Granite is an igneous rock that's formed from magma. It naturally has superior durability and strength. It's rated seven out of ten on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes it extremely difficult to scratch. Granites can withstand massive amounts of pressure without breaking or cracking. This is a crucial aspect that allows granite structures to remain intact for centuries.
Steel
A surround made of steel for your fireplace can be a wonderful feature for any home. Its neutral appearance is easy to maintain and goes with many different styles of decor. It can be used 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 assist with draft issues. It creates a more tightly-packed area for combustion which helps reduce the amount of heat that escapes the flue. This is especially beneficial for fireplaces that run on gas.
Steel fireplace surrounds come in different styles and finishes. Some of the fireplace surrounds made of steel are polished and brushed for an elegant appearance. Others have rougher textures that provide contrast to the room. The type of steel you choose will be based on your personal style and the color scheme you have chosen for your space.
Some surrounds made of steel include a mantel which can be used to display decorative items such as pots or plants. The style of the mantel may differ but the majority of them have simple or one-step design that adds depth to your fireplace.
Alternately, you can opt to install a surround without mantel. This is usually cheaper and is suitable for smaller rooms where a large surround may overwhelm the space.
It is crucial to take into account the size of your hearth and chimney breast when you are installing a new surround. This will help ensure that the surround is a safe distance away from the opening of the fireplace and doesn't extend beyond the front of the hearth (which isn't safe nor look good). If you're planning to install a combustible surround, then you'll need to consider the local codes and regulations. A professional can provide advice on this.