Choosing a Fireplace Surround
The right surround can add personality to your living space regardless of whether you are using it for warmth or to enhance your aesthetics. However, selecting the right fireplace surround that is compliant with standards and is safe can be a daunting task.
These custom-built surrounds are made from non-combustible materials and adheres to the National Fire Code. They look fantastic in any style of home.
Simple Concrete Surround with Marble Slabs
A fireplace surround can be a focal point within a room and it can add warmth and charm. It can be crafted with a selection of materials and be designed to match different design styles. It is essential to consider the style of the room and the budget before choosing the style of the fireplace surround.
marble fireplace -
Younivix said, surrounds provide a sophisticated appearance that can be paired with a variety of design styles. They can be paired with rustic woods and more modern metals to create an unique, contemporary design. Marble is fairly easy to maintain and can stand up to extreme temperatures, making it a great choice for a fireplace surround.
Stone is a classic material for fireplace surrounds that has a timeless appeal and works in many homes. It can be carved or etched to create a modern look, or left untouched to give it a classic look. Stacked stone veneers are a popular option to give depth and texture to the interior of a room.
Granite is a very popular option for modern surrounds for
fireplaces. It's durable and can withstand heat well. It also comes in a variety of patterns and colors, which means it can be used to create a variety of styles. Quartzite can be molded and shaped to fit an upscale surround.
Installing a concrete surround for a fireplace might be possible for DIYers. It may seem like a daunting task, but it can be more simple than you imagine when you collaborate with an expert and prepare ahead.
A professional is also recommended when building a
marble fireplace surround because it requires a lot of attention to avoid damage. A skilled carpenter will help you avoid mistakes that could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs.
If you plan to use tile as an interior fireplace surround, be sure that it is rated for high temperatures. This information is usually located on the package or inquire with an employee at an improvement store for.
Leaning Frame Surround
The fireplace surround can completely transform a room. It's not just meant to be aesthetically pleasing but also has a functional purpose that is to safeguard the wall behind the fireplace from damage caused by fire and to reflect heat away from the room. It's available in a variety of materials and can be made to fit any style or design.
The right material is essential to achieving a deliberate aesthetic. Concrete is a great choice because it is strong, non-flammable, and has a lot visual appeal due to its natural texture and colour. It is usually poured in a mold to allow you to choose the possibility of making an original shape.
Layers are important when creating your leaning frames. This helps the piece look deliberate and thoughtful rather than being thrown randomly on the shelf or wall. If you are planning to display heavy items such as vases or lamps on frames that lean, put a piece of rubber drawer lining beneath the base. This will prevent them from sliding and damaging surfaces.
If you're using a concrete or marble surround, think about adding an oak board at the bottom to keep it in position. It will also help to reduce the weight of the item and prevent it from moving when you're enjoying a nice glass of wine or coffee in front of your fireplace.
Once you have decided on the material, it is time to construct the piece. Mark the wall with the dimensions for your surround. Then with a saw, cut cleats along each mark. Make sure that the cleat on the top of the shelf is at a minimum a foot shorter.
Screw the brackets on the wall. Make sure the bolts are inserted into the backerboard and into the stud. The pre-drilling of the screw holes is necessary if needed. Then you can temporarily clamp the mantel on the backer board. Fix the mantel using the lag bolts (2-4 bolts per stud). Make sure that the bolts are long and strong enough to cover the full thickness of the backerboard, plus 2/3 of the depth of the mantel.
Black Firebox Surround
Fireplace surrounds play a useful and decorative function. They protect walls against heat damage, reflect some of the heat back into the room and can make a fire more of a focal piece in the space. The most common materials used for fireplace surrounds are wood and steel. Metal surrounds may be required by building codes to protect the surrounding areas from combustibles or they may simply improve the appearance of a fireplace, making it appear more complete.
This fireplace is a contemporary living room with a black surround and white marble accents. The stone is a more expensive material that requires more care than a mantel made of wood, however it adds a dramatic and striking design element to the room. The black finish also blends with the dark tones of the furniture and the wood flooring to create a seamless appearance.
While you may think of concrete as a material for sidewalks and driveways, it is a very flexible and attractive material for fireplace surrounds. It can be poured in place and then shaped into any shape, offering the user a variety of design options. This concrete surround has been shaped into a curved profile which gives it an elegant, modern look that contrasts with the darker tones of the brick floor and wood wall.
Wood is another popular material used for fireplace surrounds. It comes in many colors and textures that will complement any decor scheme. Wooden surrounds can come in any shade to complement your hearth pad. They are lighter and more affordable than the masonry surrounds. Most wooden surrounds can accommodate household decor above the mantel including lamps and vases.
Certain wood surrounds come with a faceplate which covers the mantel's top and houses the fireplace doors. This plate can be fixed with hinges that are decorative or fasteners that mimic the appearance of the look of wrought iron.
It is crucial to take into account the size of your fireplace when selecting the wood mantel. Building codes require minimum clearance distances to prevent a fire from spreading into the home. This distance will vary based on the type of fireplace, and may also vary from country to country or state to state.
Simple Wood Surround
If you'd like your fireplace to have a classic wood appearance, there are kinds of surrounds available for purchase. Certain surrounds are constructed of solid oak, while others incorporate stone legs with oak or pine mantels. You can also choose from pine or oak fire surrounds which are designed to be an affordable and easy option.
A lot of people choose to purchase a pre-made wooden fireplace surround as this is an affordable way to achieve the style they desire without having to pay for the services of carpenters. Some of the pre-made fireplace surrounds made from pine come in a variety of finishes to match it to your existing decor.
A wood fire surround that is hand-crafted constructed from top quality oak is also popular. This can be stained in a light oak color
Fireplace suite or left untreated to let the natural golden brown of the wood to shine through. This fireplace surround can be used with either wood or gas
fires. It comes in two styles: flat or arched.
If you have a bit more experience in DIY home improvement projects, there are a lot of tutorials on the internet that will help you to make your own wooden fire surround. This comprehensive step-bystep guide from H2O Bungalow will show you how to make an attractive wood surround with pine.
The tutorial teaches you how to build the horizontal part and then the vertical pilasters that will support the mantel. Once these are complete you can put in the mantel itself. The tutorial will show you how to put up the crown molding, which will cover any gaps between the wall's cladding and the wall that surrounds it.
It is essential to adhere to the local fire code when you install a wooden surround around a fireplace. It is recommended to keep the surround at least 6 inches from the edge of the opening. Use a non-flammable glue join the decorative molding to the surround and ensure it stays in the correct position.
