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 room, whether you have electric or wood-burning fireplace. However, finding a fireplace surround that is in line with your style of interior can be a bit challenging.

Brick is a great option that is a good fit for modern, rustic or farmhouse-style homes. It's also a great option for homeowners on a budget, since it can be easily painted.

Wood

A wood fireplace surround can be an extremely important piece of furniture because it creates a focal point in the room, and also breaks up the wall that might otherwise be blank. A wooden surround makes it much easier to hang decorations for the holidays. Pine surrounds can be used to hold garlands and wreaths, and they are easily removed after the festive season is over.

It is important to match the style of your house when choosing a wood surround for marble fireplace your fireplace. Wooden surrounds can be purchased in a range of styles and finishes to fit in with any decor, from traditional to contemporary. There are also a variety of options for dimensions and design. For example certain fireplace surrounds are available in a flat style that is set in a straight line with the wall while others are designed to be a mantel, Marble fireplace and are positioned to be a distance away from it.

The most popular type of fireplace surround made from wood is oak, which is renowned for being an extremely durable and beautiful material. It is a dense, solid wood that is resistant to warping, swelling, and shrinkage. It is also hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture from air, so this helps to protect it against fungal attack and damage.

Pine and oak veneers are also available as fireplace surrounds. Both are fairly inexpensive and are usually sold as complete surrounds which include the hearth and back panels. They are available from a number of DIY and home stores. They are also sold online by retailers such as Pureglow.

It is essential to remember that a wood-lined surround needs to be placed a certain distance from the opening of the firebox to ensure safety. This distance is determined by the clearance for fire hazards requirements that are based upon codes and regulations for the area you live in.

Stone

A fireplace surround made of stone is a great way to add an inviting and rustic style to your home. It not only blends in with your style of interior design and style, but it also can boost the value of your home. Certain studies have proven that a fireplace with a good design can help you sell your home faster and for a higher price.

You can choose from a range of stones to make your fireplace surround. They include marble and granite. Both are durable and will last for a long amount of time with minimal maintenance. In addition they are usually less expensive than wood.

While natural stone is a bit more expensive than other materials, it provides an exceptional level of durability and beauty that makes it worth the investment. You can choose between a variety of patterns, colors, and textures to create an original look for your home. You can also choose to have your fireplace's surround made from natural stone, creating unique design elements.

Stone surrounds are a great choice for gas and wood ethanol fireplaces. They can withstand high temperatures and won't warp or crack when exposed to heat. They also resist stains, scratches and abrasions. Granite is a well-known and cost-effective choice for a fireplace surround. It is scratch resistant, non-porous and resistant to chemicals that could otherwise damage other surfaces within the home.

A fireplace surround made of stone can be a hassle and time-consuming to clean. The concrete joints and crevices between the stones could trap household dirt. Cleaning your fireplace regularly is essential to prevent any buildup which could cause an illness or fire risk.

Marble

Marble is a luxurious and elegant material that turns any fireplace into a stunning focal point. Marble surrounds come in different styles, ranging from traditional to modern. Marble fireplaces work best in open floor plans, adding elegance and sophistication to the space and bringing cohesion between various zones.

Marble is resistant to heat which means that unlike other materials it will not change color or shrink as the fire gets hotter. It also insulates the heat, which helps keep the room warm even after the fireplace stove is gone. Marble comes in a variety of colors and finishes so you can find the most suitable design to suit your taste.

If you're considering a marble fireplace, you'll want to choose the color that is compatible with other elements of design in the room. White marble is a popular option for neutral tones. It can be combined with wood trim and accent pieces to create a sophisticated look. Darker marbles like the ones featured in this house by Tamsin Johnston look great with earthy tones and more relaxed styles.

If you decide to install a marble fireplace be prepared for additional maintenance. Marble can be more prone to staining than other materials, and it requires regular sealing to maintain its beauty. It is also necessary to clean it frequently to avoid etching and water staining. There are marble cleaners available. However, it is recommended to test them first in a discreet area before using them to clean your marble surround. If you're not sure about committing to constant maintenance, consider granite instead as an affordable alternative.

Granite

Granite is natural stone that can be used to add 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 helps keep the area around the fire safe from ash or other debris that might otherwise fall and damage its surface.

You can provide your customers with an array of granite colors for their fireplace surrounds. For a striking look take a look at black and white swirls that can be a perfect match for the geometric shape of a modern-designed gas fireplace. A marbled granite surround that extends several feet around the frame of a fireplace with wood burning can create a single wall accent in a traditional living space.

Limestone is another non-combustible option with a classic aesthetic for any home. It is available 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 resistant against heat and can be able to withstand the smoke of burning wood. However, it should be sealed regularly to avoid water penetration and staining.

If your clients prefer a cooler tone, go for Baracuda Blue granite with oceanic ripples of blue, gray and white. This granite looks beautiful next to a roaring fireplace and is easy to maintain.

Granite is a natural igneous rock, which is formed from magma, which is why it naturally has exceptional durability and strength. It's rated seven out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it extremely difficult to scratch. Granites can withstand massive amounts of pressure without cracking or breaking. This is the primary reason why granite structures can last for many centuries.

Steel

A fireplace surround made of steel is a great option to add modern style to your home. Its neutral design is easy to maintain and goes with a variety of decor. You can use it on its own or combine it with other materials such as wood for a traditional look.

A metal surround can be used to aid in problems with drafting. It creates a more tightly-packed area for combustion that helps reduce the amount of heat that escapes down the flue. This is particularly beneficial for gas-powered fireplaces.

Steel fireplace suite surrounds come in different styles and finishes. Some are polished or brushed to create a more elegant appearance and others are rougher to add contrast to the room. The kind of steel you choose will be based on your personal style and the color scheme you have chosen for your space.

Some surrounds made of steel have a mantel that can be used to display decorative items such as pots or plants. The style of the mantel may differ, but most feature simple or one-step design that adds depth to your fireplace.

You can also install a surround only, without mantel. This is usually 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 installing the new surround. This will ensure that the surround is located away from the fireplace opening and doesn't extend beyond the front of the hearth (which isn't safe nor look nice). If you are using a combustible material as your surround, then you'll need to consider the codes and regulations applicable to your area of residence. A professional can advise you on this.