The Most Hilarious Complaints We've Seen About Fireplace Surrounds

Choosing Fireplace Surrounds That Match Your Interior Design Style

If you have an electric firesuite or wood burning fireplace, the right surround can make or break the room. The right surround to match your interior style is not always easy.

Brick can be utilized in modern, rustic or farmhouse style homes. And it's a great option for homeowners on a budget as it can be painted.

Wood

A fireplace inserts surround made of wood is an important piece of furniture as it creates an accent piece for the room and breaks up a wall that may otherwise be blank. Additionally, a wood surround makes it easier to hang holiday decorations. Pine surrounds can be used for garlands and wreaths and can be easily taken down after the holidays.

It is important to be in line with the style of your home when selecting a wood surround for your fireplace. Wooden surrounds can be purchased in a variety of styles and finishes to fit in with any decor, from traditional to modern. There are also a wide range of options in terms of size and design. Some fireplace surrounds are flat and placed in a flush with the wall. Some are designed as a mantel that is positioned away from the wall.

Oak is the most popular wood used for fireplace surrounds. It is strong and attractive. It is a hard, solid wood that is impervious to warping, swelling, and shrinkage. It is also hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture from the air, which helps to protect it against fungal attack and damage.

Pine and oak veneers are also available as wood fireplace surrounds. Both are fairly inexpensive and are typically sold as complete surrounds with the hearth and back panel included. They are available at a number of home and DIY stores. Online retailers like Pureglow offer them often.

It is essential to keep in mind that a wood-lined surround needs to be placed a certain distance from the opening of the firebox to ensure security. The distance is determined by determining the clearance for fire hazards requirements based on codes regulations, laws and regulations for your region.

Stone

A fireplace surround made of stone can provide an authentic and warm appearance to your home. It's not just a way to blend into your style of interior design but it can also improve the value of your home. In fact, some studies show that a beautiful designed fireplace can help your house sell more quickly and at a greater price.

There are many types of stone that can be used for your fireplace's surround, including marble and granite. Both are highly durable and last for a long time with little maintenance. They are also typically less expensive than hardwood.

Although natural stone might be slightly more expensive than other materials, it provides a high quality of beauty and durability that makes it worth the cost. You can choose from a wide selection of colors, patterns and textures to create the perfect look for your home. You can also choose to have a custom-made fireplace surround made from natural stone. This makes it a unique design element.

Stone surrounds are great for wood and gas burning fireplaces. Stone surrounds are able to withstand high temperatures, and they don't crack or warp when exposed to heat. They are also resistant to scratches, stains and abrasions. Granite, for instance is one of the most popular and cost-effective options for a fireplace surround. It is scratch resistant, non-porous and resistant to chemicals that could otherwise damage other surfaces within the home.

A stone fireplace surround can be time-consuming and difficult to clean. The crevices and concrete joints between the stones could become a trap for household dirt. Cleaning your fireplace on a regular basis is crucial to avoid any buildup which could cause a health problem or fire danger.

Marble

Marble is a lux material that elevates any fireplace to an impressive centerpiece. Marble surrounds can be found in different styles, ranging from traditional to contemporary. Marble fireplaces are great for open floor plans, adding elegance and class to the room while providing cohesion between different zones.

Unlike other materials, marble is impervious to heat, which means it doesn't change color or become warped as the fire gets hotter. It also helps insulate heat, which helps keep the space warm even after the fireplace has gone out. Marble is available in a wide variety of finishes and colors, so you're certain to find the right one that will suit your taste.

If you're considering an elegant fireplace you'll need to select one that matches other design elements in the room. White marble looks great when paired with neutral tones and can be combined with wood trim or accent pieces to create a classic style. Darker marbles, such as the deep swirls in this home designed by Tamsin Johnson, complement earth tones and more casual styles.

If you decide to go with a fireplace in marble be prepared for additional maintenance. Marble can be more prone to stains than other materials, and requires regular sealing to maintain its appearance. It is also necessary to clean the marble frequently to avoid etching or water stains. There are marble cleaning products available on the market. However, you should test them first in a discreet area before using them to clean your marble surround. If you're not comfortable with committing to constant maintenance, consider granite instead as an affordable alternative.

Granite

Granite is an unnatural stone that can be used to provide a stunning accent in any Fireplace Stove. It's a tough stone that is resistant to wear and tear and holds up against high temperatures, making it a perfect choice for fireplaces. It's also non-combustible which helps to keep the area surrounding the fire safe from ash and other debris that might fall and harm the structure.

You can provide your customers with an array of granite color options for their fireplace surrounds. For a striking design think about black and silvery white swirls that can complement the geometric form of a modern-designed gas fireplace. A marbled granite surround that spans several feet around a ethanol fire place can create an eye-catching focal point on the wall of an old-fashioned room.

The classic appearance of limestone is a great option for any home. This stone features light browns grays, creams and greys that can be incorporated into many designs and themes. It is resistant to heat and can be able to withstand smoke from burning wood. However, it needs to be sealed on a regular basis to prevent staining and water penetration.

If your clients want a cooler tone try Baracuda blue granite. It has oceanic ripples in shades of white, grey and blue. This granite looks amazing next to a glowing fire, and it's also easy to clean to keep the space looking gorgeous.

Granite is an igneous rock derived from magma. It has superior strength and durability. It's rated seven out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it very difficult to scratch. In contrast to other natural stones, which break or crack easily under stress granites are able to endure a lot of stress without breaking. This longevity is a key element that allows granite structures to remain intact for a long time.

Steel

A surround made of steel for your fireplace can be a wonderful feature for any home. Its neutral design is easy to maintain and goes with many different styles of decor. You can choose to use it by itself or combine it with other materials like wood for a more traditional look.

A metal surround may also be used to assist with drafting issues. It creates a tighter area for combustion which helps reduce the amount of heat that escapes down the flue. This is especially useful for fireplaces using gas.

Steel fireplace surrounds are available in a variety of styles and finishes. Some of the fireplace surrounds made of steel are polished and brushed for an elegant look. Others have rougher textures that provide an element of contrast to the space. The type of steel you select will depend on your style preference and the color scheme that you select for your space.

Some fireplace surrounds made of steel have a mantel that can be used to store decorative items like vase or even plants. Mantel designs can differ but the majority of them have simple or stepped designs to give a more dimensional look to your fireplace.

You can also choose to install a surround only, without the mantel. This is usually cheaper and is suitable in smaller spaces where a huge surround could be too large for the space.

When installing a new surround, it is important to consider the dimensions of the hearth and chimney breast. This will ensure that the surround is located from the fireplace opening and that it doesn't extend beyond the front of the hearth (which would not be safe or look good). If you're using a combustible material for your surround then you will need to take into consideration the codes and regulations applicable to your particular area of residence. A professional can give you advice on this.