Choosing a Fireplace Surround

Whether you use a fireplace for warmth or aesthetics, the best surround will give your living space a unique. But choosing a fireplace surround that meets standards and is safe can be a difficult task.

Fortunately, these custom-built surrounds are constructed using non-combustible material that conforms to the National Fire Code. They can look great in any style home.

Simple Concrete Surround with Slabs of Marble

A fireplace surround is a focal point for rooms, and it can bring warmth and charm. It is made of various materials and designed to suit different styles of design. Before choosing a fireplace design, it's important that you take into consideration the style and the budget of the space.

Marble fireplace surrounds are a sophisticated option that can be paired with a vast range of design styles. They can be combined with rustic woods and modern metals to create a distinctive, modern design. Marble is relatively easy to maintain and can withstand high temperatures, making it an ideal choice for fireplace surrounds.

Stone is a classic fireplace surround material that has a timeless appeal and works in many homes. It can be carved or etched to create an updated look or left unfinished to give it a classic look. Stacked stone veneers are a popular option to give depth and texture to rooms.

Granite is a very popular option for modern surrounds for ethanol fireplaces. It is durable and can be able to withstand heat well. It is available in a variety of patterns and colors which allows you to create various designs. Quartzite is another durable option that can be cut and made into a modern fireplace surround.

If you're a DIYer the installation of a concrete fireplace surround might be within your capabilities. It may seem like a daunting task, but it can be much simpler than you think if you work with an expert and plan ahead.

A professional is also recommended when creating a marble fireplace surround because it requires particular attention to avoid damage. A carpenter with experience can help you avoid costly mistakes.

If you are planning to use tile for a fireplace surround, make sure it's rated for high temperatures. You'll find this information on the package or ask an employee at a home improvement shop.

Leaning Frame Surround

The fireplace surround can transform the look of a room. It's not just visually pleasing, but also serves a practical function. It shields the wall behind the fire place from damage and also reflects heat back into the space. It's available in a variety of materials and can be customized to fit any style or decor.

Choosing the right material for the frame's leaning surround is crucial to create an intentional design. Concrete is a great choice because it's durable, non-flammable, and has a lot of visual appeal due to its natural texture and colour. Concrete is usually poured into a mold, giving you the opportunity to create a unique design for your fireplace surround.

Layers are essential when designing your leaning frames. This makes the frame appear more planned than if it were just randomly placed. Leaning frames can be dangerous If you're planning on displaying heavier objects like vases or lamps, place a small piece of rubber drawer liner underneath the base to stop them from falling or causing damage to surfaces.

Consider adding a wooden board to the bottom of a concrete or a marble surround. This will help to keep it in place. It can also reduce the weight and prevent the object from shifting while you sip a glass of wine or coffee in the front of your fireplace suite.

Once you've chosen the material you'll use for the frame's leaning surround, it's time to start building the actual piece. Begin by marking the wall you're building with the dimensions of the surround and then use a saw to cut cleats at each of these marks. 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 that the bolts are inserted into the backerboard and into the stud. If necessary, drill the screw holes. After that, clamp the mantel to the backer board. Fix the mantel using lag bolts (2-4 bolts per stud). Make sure the bolts are strong and long enough to cover the thickness of the backerboard, plus 2/3 of the depth of the mantel.

Black Firebox Surround

Fireplace surrounds serve as an aesthetic and a functional function. They shield walls from heat damage and also reflect some of the heat into the room and can make a fire more of an eye-catching feature in a space. Metal and wood are the most commonly used materials used for fireplace surrounds. Metal surrounds can be required by building code to safeguard nearby combustible materials or they can improve the look of a fireplace.

The fireplace in this contemporary living area has an all-black firebox with white fireplace marble accents. The stone is a more expensive material that requires more maintenance than a wooden mantel, but it adds a dramatic and striking design element to the space. The black finish also blends in the dark shades of the furniture and wood flooring to create a unified appearance.

While you may associate concrete with sidewalks and driveways, it's a very flexible and attractive material for fireplace surrounds. It can be formed into custom shapes and then poured in place, giving virtually unlimited design possibilities. The concrete surround has been designed into a curved profile, creating an elegant, modern appearance that contrasts with the darker tones of the brick floor and wood wall.

Another popular material for freestanding fireplace surrounds is wooden, which is available in a variety of textures and colors to fit into any decor. Wooden surrounds are less heavy and more economical than brick surrounds and can be finished to match the color of your existing hearth pad. The majority of wooden surrounds are designed to accommodate household decorations above the mantel, like lamps and vases.

Some wood surrounds come with a faceplate that is placed on top of the mantel and houses the fireplace doors. This plate can be fixed using decorative hinges or fasteners that replicate the appearance of iron wrought.

It is crucial to take into account the dimensions of your fireplace when choosing the wood mantel. To stop a fire from spreading to your home, building codes specify minimum clearances. This distance can vary depending on what kind of fireplace you own and also from state to state or country to country.

Simple Wood Surround

If you'd like your fireplace to have a traditional wood look, there are different types of surrounds that can be purchased. Certain surrounds are constructed of solid oak, while others include stone legs with oak or pine mantels. You can also pick from oak or pine electric fire surrounds that are designed to be an affordable and easy choice.

A lot of people choose to buy a pre-made wooden fireplace surround as this is an inexpensive method of getting the style they desire without the expense of the services of a carpenter. The pre-made wood surrounds are available in a variety of finishes, so you can blend them into your existing decor.

Another style of wood fire surround is one that is made by hand from a high quality oak. It can be stained with a light oak color or left untreated so that the natural golden brown of wood is visible. This fireplace surround is suitable for wood or gas-burning fires and is available either with a flat or arched opening.

There are a lot of tutorials available online for those with more experience with DIY home improvement projects. They can assist you in making your own fireplace surround made of wood. This comprehensive step-bystep guide from H2O Bungalow shows how to build a rustic wood surround using pine.

The tutorial shows how to construct the horizontal part and then the vertical pilasters which support the mantel. After these are built, you can install the mantel itself. The guide will show you how to install the crown molding, which will fill in any gaps between the cladding of the wall and the wall surrounding it.

Because a fireplace surround made of wood is made from combustible material it is essential that you adhere to the fire codes of your area and keep it at least 6 inches away from the edge of the chimney opening. Use a non-flammable glue to attach the decorative molding to the surround and ensure it remains in place.