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 an electric or wood-burning fireplace. But finding a surround that matches your interior style can be a bit challenging.
Brick is one alternative that can be incorporated into contemporary, rustic or farmhouse-style homes. It's also a great choice for homeowners on a budget, as it is easily painted.
Wood
A wood fireplace surround is a crucial piece of furniture as it creates a focal point for the room and breaks the wall that might otherwise be blank. A surround made of wood makes it easier to hang holiday decor. Pine surrounds can be used to hang garlands and wreaths and can be easily taken down after the holidays.
When selecting a fireplace surround, it's essential to choose one that complements the style of your home. Wooden fireplace surrounds can be found in a range of styles and finishes to match any decor from modern to traditional. There are also a wide range of options for dimensions and design. Some fireplace surrounds are flat and set in a flush with the wall. Some are designed as mantels that are set away from the wall.
The most popular kind of fireplace surround made from wood is oak, which is renowned for being an extremely durable and beautiful material. It is a strong, dense timber that is resistant to warping, shrinkage, and swelling. It is also hygroscopic which means it absorbs moisture from air, which helps to protect it against damage and attack by fungal organisms.
Pine and oak veneers are also available as wood fireplace surrounds. Both materials are reasonably priced and are often sold as complete surrounds which include the hearth and back panels. They can be purchased at numerous DIY and home stores. Online retailers like Pureglow offer them regularly.
When you purchase a fireplace surround, it is crucial to keep in mind that it should be located a certain distance away from the firebox opening to ensure safety. The distance is based on fire hazard clearance specifications based on codes or regulations as well as laws in the area you live in.
Stone
A stone fireplace surround is a great option to add an inviting and rustic appearance to your home. Not only does it blend into your interior design style, but it can also increase the value of your home. Some studies show that a beautiful designed fireplace can help you make your home sell faster and at a greater price.
There are a variety of types of stone that can be used for your fireplace's surround, such as marble and granite. Both are highly durable and last for a long time with little maintenance. In addition they are usually less expensive than wood.
While natural stone may be slightly more expensive than other materials, it offers the highest level of durability and beauty that makes it worth the investment. You can pick from various colors, patterns and textures to create a distinctive style for your home. You can opt to have a custom-made fireplace surround made of natural stone. This will create an original design element.
Stone surrounds are a great choice for both wood and gas fireplaces. They are able to withstand extreme temperatures and do not warp or crack when exposed to heat. They also resist scratches, stains, and abrasions. Granite is a popular and affordable choice for fireplace surrounds. It is non-porous, scratch resistant and abrasion-resistant to chemicals that would otherwise damage other surfaces.
One drawback to the stone fireplace surround is that it is difficult to clean. The crevices and joints between the stones could be a trap for household dirt. Cleaning your fireplace regularly is crucial to avoid any buildup that could lead to a health problem or fire hazard.
Marble
Marble is a luxurious material that can transform any fireplace into an eye-catching centerpiece. Marble surrounds are available in a variety of styles from traditional to contemporary. Marble fireplaces work best in open floor plans, bringing elegance and class to the space while bringing harmony between different zones.
Marble is resistant to heat and, unlike other materials, it won't change color or shrink when the fireplace gets hotter. It also helps to insulate the heat, which helps keep the area warm even after the fireplace has been removed. marble fireplace comes in a wide variety of colors and finishes so you're bound to find the perfect option that will suit your taste.
If you're going with a marble fireplace it is important to select a color that complements other design elements 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 look. Darker marbles, like the deep swirls found in this home designed by Tamsin Johnson, can be paired with earth tones and more casual styles.
If you decide to go with a marble fireplace be prepared for extra maintenance. Marble is more susceptible to staining than other materials, and requires regular sealing to preserve its appearance. It is also necessary to clean the marble frequently to avoid etching or water stains. There are many marble cleaning products on the market to use however be sure to test them in a non-glaring spot before using them on your marble surround. If you're not comfortable with committing to ongoing maintenance, you can consider granite instead as an affordable alternative.
Granite
Granite is a natural stone option that can provide an amazing accent to any fireplace. It's a sturdy stone that is resistant to wear and tear and stands up against high temperatures, which makes it a great choice for fireplaces wood. It's also non-combustible which helps to keep the area around the fire free of the possibility of ash and other debris which could fall and cause damage to the structure.
Your customers can pick from a wide array of granite colors to personalize their fireplace surrounds. Think about white and black swirls to match the geometric design of modern gas fireplaces. A marbled granite surround that wraps for several feet around the frame of a fireplace that burns wood can create a single wall feature in a traditional living area.
Limestone is a different non-combustible choice with a classic style for any home. This stone is available in a variety of colors that include light browns as well as creams. It can be used to complement a variety of styles and design themes. It is resistant against heat and can withstand smoke from burning wood. However, it must be sealed on a regular basis to prevent staining and water penetration.
If your customers prefer cooler tones, consider Baracuda Blue granite, which has oceanic waves of blue, gray and white. It looks stunning next to a roaring fireplace and is easy to maintain.
Granite is an natural igneous rock, which is formed from magma. It naturally has greater durability and strength. It's rated seven of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes it very difficult to scratch. Unlike other natural stones, that can break or crack easily under pressure, granites are able to endure a lot of stress without being damaged. This is the primary reason why granite structures last for centuries.
Steel
A steel fireplace surround is a great way to add modern style to your home. Its neutral design is easy to maintain and can be paired with many different styles of decor. You can use it as a stand-alone material or mix it with other materials such as wood for a traditional look.
A metal surround is useful to reduce draft issues. It creates a smaller area for combustion, which decreases the amount of heat that escapes through the flue. This is especially beneficial for gas-powered fireplaces.
Steel fireplace surrounds are available in different styles and finishes. Some are brushed or polished to give a more elegant look and others have a rougher surface to add contrast to the room. The type of steel you select will depend on your personal preference for aesthetics and the color scheme you choose for your space.
Some fireplace surrounds made of steel include a mantel, which can be used to house decorative objects like vases or even plants. The mantel design can vary but most come with simple or stepped designs to give a more dimensional look to your fireplace.
Alternately, you can opt to install a surround with no mantel. This option is usually cheaper and is ideal for smaller spaces, where 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 you are installing the new surround. This will ensure that the surround extends no more than the front of the hearth, and is an appropriate distance from the fireplace opening. If you're planning to install an ignitable surround, you'll have to take into consideration local codes and regulations. A professional can help you on this.