Choosing Fireplace Surrounds That Match Your Interior Design Style
No matter if you have an electric or wood burning fireplace, choosing the right surround can transform the space. But choosing a surround that matches your interior style can be a bit difficult.
Brick is one option that is a good fit for modern, rustic or farmhouse-style homes. It's also an excellent choice for homeowners on a budget, since it is easily painted.
Wood
A wood fireplace surround can be an extremely important piece of furniture, as it creates a focal point within the room, and also breaks up a wall which could otherwise be empty. A wooden surround also makes it easier to hang decorations for the holidays. Pine surrounds can be used to hang wreaths and garlands and can be easily taken down after the holidays.
It is crucial to be in line with the style of your home when choosing a wood surround for your fireplace. Wooden surrounds are available in a variety of styles and finishes that suit any style from modern to traditional. There are many designs and sizes to choose from. Some fireplace surrounds are flat and set directly against the wall. Others are designed as an elongated mantel that is set away from the wall.
The most sought-after wood used for fireplace surrounds. It is strong and beautiful. It is a strong and dense wood that is impervious to warping, shrinkage and swelling. It is also hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture from the air, so this helps to protect it against damage and attack by fungal organisms.
Pine and oak veneers are also available as wood fireplace surrounds. Both of these are relatively inexpensive and are usually sold as complete surrounds that have the hearth and back panel included. These are available from a number of DIY and home-based stores. Online retailers like Pureglow sell them frequently.
It is crucial to keep in mind that a wood surround should be placed a certain distance from the opening of the firebox to ensure safety. The distance is determined in accordance with the fire hazard clearance requirements based on codes or regulations as well as laws in your region.
Stone
A stone fireplace surround can provide an inviting and rustic look to your home. It not only blends in with your interior design style but it can also boost the value of your home. Some studies have shown that a well-designed fireplace could help you sell your home more quickly and at a higher price.
You can choose from a wide range of stone options for your fireplace surround. These include granite and marble. Both are durable and Wood Fireplace can last for a long period of time with little maintenance. Additionally they are generally less expensive than wood.
While natural stone may be a bit more expensive than other materials, it provides the highest level of durability and beauty that make it a worthwhile cost. You can choose from a wide range of patterns, colors and textures to create the perfect style for your space. You can also choose to have your fireplace's surround custom made with natural stone, creating unique design elements.
Stone surrounds are a great choice for gas and wood fireplaces. They are able to withstand extreme temperatures and don't warp or crack when exposed to heat. They are also resistant to stains, scratches and abrasions. Granite is a well-known and affordable choice for a fireplace surround. It is scratch resistant and non-porous, as well as resistant to chemicals that could otherwise damage other surfaces in the house.
A fireplace surround made of stone can be difficult and time-consuming to clean. The concrete joints and crevices between the stones can trap household dirt. It is important to regularly clean your fireplace to prevent any accumulation that could result in an hazard to fire or health hazard.
Marble
Marble is a beautiful, elegant material that turns any fireplace into a stunning feature. marble fireplace surrounds can be found in a variety of styles from traditional to modern. Marble fireplaces work best in open floor plans, adding elegance and class to the room while bringing harmony between different zones.
In contrast to other materials, marble is impervious to heat, so it will not change color or warp as the fireplace gets hotter. It also is able to absorb heat, which helps keep the room warm even after the fire goes out. Marble comes in a range of colors and finishes so you can find the ideal design to suit your taste.
If you decide to install an open fireplace made of marble, you will want to select a color that compliments the other design elements in the room. White marble is a classic choice for neutral tones. It can be combined with wood trim and accent pieces to create a classy appearance. Darker marbles, like the deep swirls found in this home designed by Tamsin Johnson, can be paired with earth tones and more relaxed styles.
Be prepared to do some extra maintenance if you choose marble fireplace. Marble can be more prone to stains than other materials, and requires regular sealing to preserve its appearance. It is also important to clean the marble regularly to avoid etching or water stains. There are a variety of marble cleaning products available. But, you must test them first in a private area prior to using them to clean your marble surround. Granite is an excellent alternative to marble if you don't want to commit to constant maintenance.
Granite
Granite is another natural stone that can be used to add an impressive accent to any fireplace. It's a sturdy stone that is resistant to wear and tear and stands up against high temperatures, making it a perfect choice for fireplaces. It's also non-combustible. which makes the surrounding area of the fire safe from ash or other debris that could fall on the surface and cause damage to it.
You can offer your clients an array of granite colors to choose from for their fireplace surrounds. Consider swirls of white and black to match the geometric design of modern gas fireplaces. A marbled granite surround that extends for several feet around a wood-burning fireplace place can create the perfect focal point for a single wall fireplace in a traditional room.
Limestone is another non-combustible option with a classic style for any home. This stone features light browns, creams and grays that can blend with a variety of styles and design themes. It is resistant against heat and is able to withstand the smoke of burning wood. However, it should be sealed regularly to prevent water penetration and staining.
If your clients want a more cool tone, try Baracuda blue granite. It has oceanic ripples in shades of grey, white, and blue. This granite is stunning next to a roaring flame, and it's easy to clean to keep the area looking gorgeous.
Granite is an igneous rock formed from magma. It is a strong rock with superior strength and durability. It's rated as seven on the Mohs scale of hardness, meaning that it is extremely difficult to scratch or chip. Unlike other natural stones, that can break or crack easily under pressure granites are able to stand up to a tremendous amount of stress without breaking. This longevity is a key element that allows granite structures to remain intact for centuries.
Steel
A fireplace surround made of steel is a great option to add modern style to your home. Its neutral design is easy to maintain and can be paired with many different styles of decor. It can be used on its own or combine it with other materials such as wood for a classic look.
A metal surround can be beneficial to prevent draft issues. It makes a smaller area for combustion, which decreases the amount of heat that escapes through the flue. This is especially useful for fireplaces that run on gas.
Steel fireplace surrounds are available in various styles and finishes. Some of the fireplace surrounds made of steel are polished and brushed to give an elegant finish. Others have rougher textures that provide some contrast to the space. The kind of steel you select will be based on your personal style and the color scheme that you have selected for your space.
Some surrounds made of steel have a mantel which can be used to display decorative items such as vases or plants. The mantel design can vary but the majority of them have simple or stepped designs to add dimension to your fireplace.
You can also install a surround only, without a mantel. This is typically less expensive and works best for smaller spaces, where a large surround could overwhelm the space.
It is crucial to consider the dimensions of your hearth and chimney breast when you are installing the new surround. This will ensure that the surround extends no further than the front of the hearth and is situated at an appropriate distance from the fireplace opening. If you plan to use an ignitable surround, you'll have to take into consideration local codes and regulations. A professional can provide advice on this.