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 regardless of whether you have a wood-burning or electric fireplace. The right surround to match your interior style is not always straightforward.
Brick is a great choice for contemporary, rustic or farmhouse style homes. It's also an excellent choice for homeowners on a tight budget, as it is easily painted.
Wood
A fireplace surround made of wood can be an extremely important piece of furniture, as it creates a focal point within the room and breaks the wall that would otherwise be blank. In addition, a wooden surround makes it much easier to hang decorations for the holidays. Pine surrounds can be used to hang garlands and wreaths and are easily removed after the holiday season.
When selecting a fireplace surround, it's crucial to select one that is in keeping with the style of your home. Wooden fireplace surrounds can be found in a range of styles and finishes that match any decor from modern to traditional. There are a myriad of options for size and design. For example some fireplace surrounds are in a flat style and is flush with the wall, while others are designed to function as an actual mantel and are set out from it.
Oak is the most popular wood used for fireplace surrounds. It is durable and beautiful. It is a solid and dense wood that is impervious to warping, shrinkage and swelling. It is also hygroscopic which means it absorbs moisture from the air. This helps to protect against fungus attack and damages.
Other kinds of wood fireplace surrounds are also available, including pine veneers and oak. Both of these materials are reasonably priced and are usually sold as complete surrounds, with the hearth and back panel as well. These can be purchased from many home and DIY stores. They are also sold online by retailers like Pureglow.
It is important to keep in mind that a wood surround must be placed a certain distance from the opening of the firebox to ensure security. The distance is determined in accordance with the fire hazard clearance requirements, based on codes regulations, laws and regulations for your region.
Stone
A stone fireplace surround is a fantastic way to give a rustic and warm style to your home. Not only does it blend into your style of interior design but it can also boost the value of your home. Some studies show that a beautifully designed fireplace can help you make your house sell more quickly and at a higher price.
You can choose from a wide range of stone options for your fireplace's surround. They include marble and granite. Both are extremely durable and will last for an extended period of time with minimal maintenance. They are also generally less expensive than hardwood.
Natural stone is more expensive than other materials but it provides a higher degree of beauty and durability and is therefore a worthy investment. You can choose between different patterns, colors and textures to create a unique design for your home. You can also choose to have a custom-made fireplace surround made of natural stone. This makes it an original design element.
Stone surrounds are perfect for wood and gas burning fireplaces. They are able to withstand extreme temperatures and do not warp or crack when exposed to heat. They are also resistant to scratches and stains. Granite is a well-known and cost-effective choice for
fireplace insert surrounds. It is scratch resistant and non-porous, as well as resistant to the chemicals that would otherwise harm other surfaces in the house.
One drawback to the stone fireplace surround is that it can be difficult to clean. The crevices and joints between the stones could become a trap for household dirt. It is crucial to regularly clean your fireplace to prevent any accumulation that could result in an hazard to fire or health hazard.
Marble
Marble is a luxurious material that elevates any fireplace to an eye-catching centerpiece. The beautiful stone works well in a range of styles, ranging from modern to traditional, which makes it easy to find the perfect marble surround to go with your decor.
Marble fireplaces are great for open floor plans, bringing elegance and class to the space while bringing harmony between different zones.
Unlike other materials, marble is impervious to heat, meaning it won't change color or shrink as the
fireplace inserts gets hotter. It also absorbs heat, which helps keep the area warm even after the fire has gone out. Marble is available in a myriad of finishes and colors, so you're certain to find the perfect option that will suit your taste.
If you're going with a marble fireplace it is important to select one that matches other design elements in the room. White marble is a popular option for neutral tones. It can be paired with wood trim and accent pieces to create a classy appearance. Darker marbles, such as the rich swirls seen in this home designed by Tamsin Johnson, work with earth tones and more casual styles.
Be prepared for extra maintenance when you select a marble fireplace. Marble can be more prone to staining than other materials, and requires regular sealing to keep its appearance. It is also important to clean your marble regularly to avoid etching or water staining. There are a variety of marble cleaning products available. However, it is recommended to 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 a natural stone that can be used to provide an attractive accent to any fireplace. It is a durable stone that is able to withstand high temperatures and wear. This makes it a great choice for fireplaces. It's also non-combustible, which keeps the surrounding area of the fire safe from ash and other debris that might otherwise fall and damage its surface.
You can provide your customers with the possibility of a variety of granite color options for their fireplace surrounds. For a striking appearance, consider black and silvery white swirls that complement the geometric form of a modern-designed gas fireplace. A marbled granite surround that spans several feet around a fire space can create a focal point on a single wall in a traditional room.
The classic look of limestone is a great option for any home. This stone features light browns and creams, which can blend with various designs and themes. It is resistant to heat and can withstand smoke that comes from burning wood, but it's important to know that limestone should be regularly sealed to guard it from water penetration and staining.
If your customers want a cooler tone try Baracuda blue granite. It is a sea-like ripple in shades of white, grey, and blue. This granite is stunning in a fireplace and is easy to maintain.
Granite is an igneous rock derived from magma. It is extremely strong and durability. It's rated as seven on the Mohs scale of hardness, meaning that it's very difficult to scratch or chip. Granites can endure enormous amounts of pressure without cracking or breaking. This is a crucial factor that enables granite structures to remain intact for a long time.
Steel
A steel fireplace surround is a great way to bring modern style to your home. Its neutral appearance is easy to maintain and can be paired with a variety of decor. You can use it alone or pair it with other materials such as wood for a more traditional look.
A metal surround is also beneficial to prevent draft issues. It creates a smaller area for combustion, which reduces the amount of heat that escapes the flue. This is particularly beneficial for
fireplaces wood that are gas-powered.
Steel fireplace surrounds are available in a wide range of styles and finishes. Some are brushed or polished for a more elegant finish while others are rougher to create a contrast in the room. The type of steel you select will depend on your preferred aesthetic and the color scheme you've selected for your space.
Some steel fireplace surrounds come with a mantel which can be used to store decorative objects like vase or even plants. The design of the mantel is different however, most have a simple design or a one-step design that adds depth to your fireplace.
Alternatively, you can choose to install a surround with no mantel. This is usually less expensive and works best for smaller rooms, as a large surround could overwhelm the space.
When installing a new surround it is crucial to consider the size of the hearth as well as the chimney breast. This will help ensure that the surround is safe from the fireplace opening and that it doesn't extend beyond the front of the hearth (which isn't safe nor look good). If you are using a combustible material for your surround, you'll need to consider the regulations and codes for your particular area of residence. A professional can offer guidance on this.
