Choosing Fireplace Surrounds That Match Your Interior Design Style

The perfect surround for your fireplace can make or break the look of the room, whether you have a wood-burning or electric fireplace. But finding a surround that matches your style of interior can be a bit challenging.

Brick is a great choice for contemporary, rustic or farmhouse style homes. It's also an excellent choice for homeowners on a budget, as it is easily painted.

Wood

A wood fireplace surround is an important piece of furniture because it serves as a focal point for the room, and it also helps break up walls that would otherwise be empty. A surround made of wood makes it easier to hang holiday decorations. Pine surrounds can be used to hang wreaths and garlands and are easily removed after the holiday season.

It is crucial to match 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 that match any decor from traditional to modern. There are a myriad of options for size and design. For instance certain fireplace surrounds are available in a flat style and is to the wall flush, while others are designed to act as an actual mantel and are set to be a distance away from it.

Oak is the most popular wood used for fireplace surrounds. It is sturdy and beautiful. It is a sturdy 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 damage.

The pine and oak veneers are also available as fireplace surrounds. Both materials are reasonably priced and are usually sold as complete surrounds which include the hearth and back panels. They are available at several DIY and home stores. Online retailers like Pureglow offer them often.

It is crucial to remember that a wood-lined surround needs to be placed at a certain distance from the opening of the firebox for security. This distance is determined by the clearance for fire hazards requirements that are based upon codes and regulations for your area of residence.

Stone

A fireplace surround made of stone is a fantastic way to give a warm and rustic look to your home. It can increase the value of your home since it not only blends in with your style, but also complements it. Indeed, some studies have shown that a well designed fireplace can help your house sell more quickly and at a greater price.

You can pick from a wide range of stones for your fireplace surround. These include marble and granite. Both are extremely durable and will last for many years with minimal maintenance. They are also generally less expensive than hardwood.

Although natural stone might be somewhat more expensive than other materials, it provides a high quality of durability and beauty that make it a worthwhile investment. You can choose from a wide selection of patterns, colors and textures to create the perfect style for your room. You can also opt to have your fireplace's surround built with natural stone, creating unique design elements.

Stone surrounds work well with gas and wood buy fireplaces. They are able to withstand extreme temperatures and do not break or warp when exposed to heat. Furthermore, they are resistant to scratches and stains. Granite, for instance, is one of the most sought-after and affordable options for a fireplace's surround. It is scratch-resistant and non-porous, as well as resistant to the chemicals that would otherwise harm other surfaces in the house.

A stone fireplace surround can be a hassle and time-consuming to clean. The concrete joints and crevices between the stones can trap household dirt. It is important to keep your fireplace clean to avoid any accumulation that could cause an hazard to fire or health hazard.

Marble

Marble is a beautiful, elegant material that transforms any fireplace into a stunning centerpiece. Marble surrounds are available in different styles, ranging from traditional to modern. Marble cheap fireplaces work best in open floor plans, introducing elegance and class to the space while providing cohesion between different zones.

Marble is heat resistant and, unlike other materials, it won't change color or warp as the fire gets hotter. It also helps to insulate the heat, allowing it to keep the space warm even after the fireplace has gone out. Marble comes in a variety of finishes and colors, so you can find the ideal design to suit your taste.

If you decide to go with a fireplace that is made of marble, you will want to pick a color that is in harmony with the other design elements of the room. White marble looks great when paired with neutral tones and can be paired with wood trim or accent pieces to create a classic style. Darker marbles like the swirls in this home by Tamsin Johnston are great with earthy tones and more relaxed styles.

Be prepared to do some extra maintenance when you select marble fireplace. Marble is more prone to staining than other materials and requires regular sealing in order to maintain its beauty. It is also important to clean the marble frequently to avoid etching or water stains. There are marble cleaning products available. However, you should test them in a safe area before using them to clean your marble surround. If you're not sure about committing to ongoing maintenance, you can consider granite as an economical alternative.

Granite

Granite is another natural stone that can be used to add an impressive accent to any fireplace. It's a sturdy stone that resists wear and tear and stands up to high temperatures, which makes it an ideal 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 customers can pick from a range of granite colors to customize their fireplace surrounds. For a striking look take a look at black and white swirls that be a perfect match for the geometric shape of a modern-style gas fireplace. A marbled granite surround that spans several feet around a wood-burning fireplace place can create an eye-catching focal point on one wall in the traditional space.

The classic appearance of limestone is a great option for any home. It is available in a variety of shades that include light browns and creams. It can be used to complement a variety of styles and design themes. It is resistant to heat and can resist the smoke of burning wood. However, it should be sealed regularly to prevent water penetration and staining.

If your customers want a more cool tone, try Baracuda blue granite. It features oceanic ripples in shades of white, grey and blue. It looks stunning when viewed next to a roaring fire, and it's also easy to clean to keep the area looking beautiful.

Granite is an igneous rock formed from magma. It has superior strength and durability. It's rated as seven on the Mohs scale of hardness, meaning that it is extremely difficult to scratch or chip. Granites can withstand enormous amounts of pressure without cracking or breaking. This is the primary reason why granite structures last for many centuries.

Steel

A fireplace surround made of steel is a great way to bring modern style to your home. Its neutral appearance 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 to create a more traditional appearance.

A metal surround can be useful to reduce draft issues. It creates a tighter area for combustion which helps reduce the amount of heat that escapes the flue. This is especially beneficial for gas-fuelled fireplaces.

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

Some steel surrounds include a mantel which can be used to display ornamental items such as vases or plants. The style of the mantel can vary however, most have simple designs or a step-style design that adds a dimension to your fireplace.

You can also install a surround only, without mantel. This is typically cheaper and is ideal for smaller spaces, where the large surround can overwhelm the space.

It is crucial to consider the dimensions of your hearth and chimney breast when you are installing a new surround. This will ensure that the surround is a safe distance from the fireplace opening and does not extend beyond the front of the hearth (which would not be safe or look attractive). If you are planning to install an ignitable surround, you'll need to consider the local codes and regulations. A professional can give you guidance on this.