Choosing Fireplace Surrounds That Match Your Interior Design Style
If you have an electric or wood burning fireplace, the right surround can really make the room. The right surround to match the style of your home isn't always straightforward.
Brick is a great option that can fit into modern, rustic or farmhouse-style homes. It's also an excellent choice for homeowners with a limited budget, as it can be 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 also breaks up walls that might otherwise be blank. In addition, a wooden surround makes it much easier to hang decorations for the holidays. Pine surrounds can be used for wreaths and garlands, and they are easily taken down after the holidays.
It is crucial to fit in with the style of your house when choosing a wood surround for your fireplace. Wooden fireplace surrounds can be found in a variety of styles and finishes that suit any style from modern to traditional. There are also a wide range of options in terms of dimensions and design. Some fireplace surrounds are flat and placed flush against the wall. Others are designed as mantels that are set away from the wall.
The most popular kind of wood fireplace surround is oak and it is renowned for being beautiful and durable. 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 air, which helps to guard against fungal attack and damage.
The pine and oak veneers are also available as wood fireplace surrounds. Both of these are reasonably priced and are usually sold as complete surrounds, with the hearth and back panel as well. These are available from a number of DIY and home stores. Online retailers such as Pureglow offer them regularly.
When buying a wood fireplace surround it is important to remember that it must be located a certain distance away from the opening of the fireplace for safety reasons. This distance is determined by fire hazard clearance requirements which are based on the codes and regulations applicable to your area of residence.
Stone
A stone fireplace surround is a great way to give an inviting and rustic look to your home. It's not just a way to blend into your style of interior design, but it can also boost the value of your home. Indeed, some studies have shown that a well designed fireplace can help you make your home sell faster and at a higher value.
You can pick from a wide range of stones for your fireplace's surround. They include granite and marble. Both are durable and will last for many years with minimal maintenance. They are also typically less expensive than hardwood.
Natural stone is more expensive than other materials, however it offers a higher level of durability and beauty, making it worth the investment. You can choose between different shades, patterns and textures to create a unique design for your home. You can even choose to have your fireplace's surround custom made with natural stone, creating an exclusive design element.
Stone surrounds are ideal for both gas and wood burning fireplaces. They are able to withstand extreme temperatures and don't shrink or crack when exposed to heat. They also resist stains, scratches and abrasions. Granite is a popular and inexpensive choice for fireplace surrounds. It is non-porous, scratch resistant and abrasion resistant to chemicals that can harm other surfaces.
A stone fireplace surround can be time-consuming and difficult to clean. The crevices and concrete joints between the stones can become 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 and elegant material that transforms any fireplace into a stunning feature. The beautiful stone can be used in a variety of styles, from modern to traditional, which makes it easy to find the perfect marble surround to go with your design. Marble fireplaces work well in open floor plans, bringing elegance and class to the room while bringing harmony between different zones.
Unlike other materials, marble is impervious to heat, so it will not change color or shrink as the fireplace gets hotter. It also helps to insulate the heat, allowing it to keep the space warm even after the fireplace has been removed. Marble is available in a wide variety of colors and finishes so you're certain to find the ideal option to match your style.
If you decide to go with a marble fire place you should choose a shade that complements the 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 an elegant appearance. Darker marbles, such as the deep swirls found in this home designed by Tamsin Johnson, complement earth tones and more comfortable styles.
If you decide to install a fireplace made of marble be prepared for additional maintenance. Marble can be more prone to stains than other materials, and requires regular sealing to maintain its elegance. It is also necessary to wipe the marble down frequently to avoid etching or water stains. There are many marble cleaners on the market that you can use, but be careful to test them in an inconspicuous spot before using them on your marble surround. Granite is a great alternative to marble when you don't want spend a lot of time on maintenance.
Granite
Granite is natural stone that can be used to provide an impressive accent to any fireplace. It's a tough stone that resists wear and tear and stands up to extreme temperatures, which makes it a perfect option for fireplaces. It's also non-combustible which helps keep the area surrounding the fire safe from the ash and other debris that could fall and cause damage to the structure.
Your clients can choose from a wide array of granite colors to customize 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 area can create the perfect focal point for the wall of a traditional room.
Limestone is a different non-combustible choice with a classic look for any home. It comes in a variety of colors, including light browns and creams. It can be used to complement a wide range of styles and themes. It is not affected by heat and can withstand the smoke from burning wood, but it is important to remember that limestone needs to be regularly sealed to protect it from staining and water penetration.
If your clients prefer a cooler tone, try Baracuda Blue granite that has oceanic ripples of blue grey and white. This granite looks beautiful when placed next to a fire place and is easy to maintain.
Granite is a solid rock that's formed by magma, so it naturally has exceptional durability and strength. It is rated seven out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it extremely difficult to scratch. Unlike other natural stones, which can crack or break easily under stress, granites are able to endure a lot of stress without causing damage. This longevity is a key factor that enables granite structures to remain intact for a long time.
Steel
A steel surround for your fireplace is an excellent option for any home. Its neutral design is easy to maintain and goes with a variety of decor. It can be used on its own or mix it with other materials, such as wood for a traditional style.
A metal surround can also be used to aid in problems with drafting. It creates a smaller area for combustion, which can reduce the amount of heat that escapes through the flue. This can be especially useful for gas-powered fireplaces.
Steel fireplace surrounds come in various styles and finishes. Some are brushed or polished to give a more elegant look while others have a rougher texture to bring more contrast to a room. The type of steel you pick will be based on your personal style and the color scheme that you have selected for your space.
Some surrounds made of steel include a mantel which can be used to display decorative items such as vases or plants. The design of the mantel is different however, most have simple designs or a step-style design that adds a dimension to your fireplace.
You can also choose to install a surround only, without a mantel. This option is typically cheaper and is ideal in smaller spaces where a huge surround could overwhelm the space.
It is important to take into account the dimensions of your hearth and chimney breast when installing the new surround. This will ensure that the surround is a safe distance away from the fireplace opening and that it does not extend beyond the front of the hearth (which wouldn't be safe or look good). If you're planning to install an ignitable surround, you'll need to consider the local codes and regulations. A professional can advise you on this.