Choosing Fireplace Surrounds That Match Your Interior Design Style

No matter if you have an electric or wood burning fireplace, the perfect surround can make or break the room. The right surround to match your style of interior isn't always easy.

Brick is a great choice for contemporary, rustic or farmhouse-style homes. It's also a great option for homeowners with a limited budget since it can be painted.

Wood

A wood fireplace surround is a crucial piece of furniture since it serves as an accent piece for the room and breaks up walls that would otherwise be empty. A wooden surround makes it easier to hang decorations for the holidays. Pine surrounds, in particular, can be used to hang garlands and wreaths, and they can be easily removed when the festive season has ended.

It is important to match the style of your home when selecting a wood surround for your fireplace. Wooden surrounds can be purchased in a range of finishes and styles to complement any decor from traditional to modern. There are many choices for design and size. Some fireplace surrounds are flat and set flush against the wall. Others are designed to be a mantel that is positioned away from the wall.

Oak is the most well-known wood used to build fireplace surrounds. It is sturdy and attractive. It is a hard solid wood that is resistant to swelling, warping, and shrinkage. It is also hygroscopic. This means that it absorbs moisture from the air. This helps to protect against fungus attack and damage.

Other types of fireplace surrounds made of wood are available, and include pine and oak veneers. Both are fairly inexpensive and are often sold as complete surrounds, that include the hearth and back panels. These can be purchased from many home and DIY stores. Online retailers like Pureglow offer them regularly.

It is essential to remember that a wood surround must 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 on the regulations and codes applicable to your home area.

Stone

A fireplace surround made of stone can provide a rustic and warm look to your home. It's not just a way to blend into your style of interior design, but it can also increase the value of your home. Indeed, some studies show that a beautifully constructed fireplace can help your house sell more quickly and at a higher value.

You can pick from a variety of stones for your fireplace's surround. These include marble and granite. Both are highly durable and last for an extended period of time with minimal maintenance. Additionally they are generally less expensive than wood.

While natural stone is somewhat more expensive than other materials, it comes with the highest level of durability and beauty that makes it worth the cost. You can pick from a variety of patterns, colors and textures to create the perfect style for your room. You can also choose to have your fireplace's surround custom made with natural stone, creating unique design elements.

Stone surrounds are perfect for both gas and wood burning fireplaces. They are able to withstand extreme temperatures and do not warp or crack when exposed to heat. Furthermore, they are resistant to scratches and stains. Granite is a popular and cost-effective option for fireplace surrounds. It is scratch-resistant, non-porous and resistant to chemicals which can harm other surfaces.

One drawback to a stone fireplace surround is that it is difficult to clean. The crevices and joints made of concrete between the stones can trap household dirt. Cleaning your fireplace regularly is crucial to avoid any buildup that could result in an illness or fire hazard.

Marble

Marble is a luxurious and elegant material that can transform any fireplace into a stunning focal point. The stunning stone can be used in a variety of styles, from modern to traditional, so it's easy to find an elegant marble surround that works with your interior decor. Marble fireplaces work well in open floor plans, bringing elegance and sophistication to the space while providing cohesion between different zones.

In contrast to other materials, marble is inert to heat, which means it doesn't change color or shrink as the fire gets hotter. It also absorbs heat, which helps to keep the surrounding area cozy even after the fire has gone out. Marble is available in a wide variety of colors and finishes, so you're certain to find the ideal option to fit your style.

If you're going with a marble fireplace you'll need to select the color that is compatible with other elements of design 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 found in this home designed by Tamsin Johnson, work with earth tones and more casual styles.

If you decide to go with a fireplace made of marble, be prepared for some extra maintenance. Marble can be more prone to stains than other materials, and requires regular sealing to preserve its appearance. You will also need to wipe the marble down frequently to avoid etching or water stains. There are marble cleaning products available. But, you must test them in a discreet area before using them to clean your marble surround. If you're not sure about committing to a constant routine of maintenance, think about granite as an alternative that is affordable alternative.

Granite

Granite is an unnatural stone that can be used to add an attractive accent to any fireplace. It's a durable rock that is resistant to wear and tear and holds up against high temperatures, which makes it a great option for fireplaces Wooden. It is also non-combustible, which makes the surrounding area of the fire safe from ash or other debris that might otherwise fall and harm its surface.

Your customers can select from a range of granite color options to customize their fireplace surrounds. For a striking design think about black and silvery white swirls that will be a perfect match for the geometric shape of a modern-designed gas fireplace. A marbled granite surround that spans several feet around a fire space can create an eye-catching focal point on a single wall in an old-fashioned room.

Limestone is a different non-combustible choice with a classic look for any home. This stone features light browns, creams and grays that can be incorporated into a variety of designs and themes. It is abrasive to heat and is able to withstand the smoke that comes from burning wood, but it is important to remember that limestone should be regularly sealed to protect it from water penetration and staining.

If your customers prefer cooler tones, consider Baracuda Blue granite that has oceanic ripples of blue grey and white. This granite looks amazing next to a glowing ethonal fire, and is easy to clean to keep the space looking beautiful.

Granite is an igneous rock derived 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 chip or scratch. Granites can withstand enormous amounts of pressure without cracking or breaking. This is the primary reason why granite structures last for centuries.

Steel

A steel fireplace surround is a great option to bring modern design to your home. Its neutral look works with a variety of decors and it is very easy to maintain. It is possible to use it as a stand-alone material or mix it with other materials such as wood to create a traditional style.

A metal surround can be used to assist with problems with drafting. It makes a smaller area for combustion, which can reduce the amount of heat that escapes through the flue. This can be especially useful for cheap fireplaces that are gas-powered.

Steel fireplace surrounds can be found in different styles and finishes. Some are polished or Fireplaces Wooden brushed for a more elegant finish and others have a rougher texture to add contrast to the room. The type of steel that you select will be determined by your aesthetic preference and the color scheme you choose for your space.

Some steel fireplace surrounds have a mantel that can be used to hold decorative items such as pots or plants. The design of the mantel can be different but most come with a simple or stepped design to give a more dimensional look to your fireplace suites.

You can also put in the surround alone, without a mantel. This is usually less expensive and works best for smaller spaces, where an enormous surround could take over the space.

It is crucial to take into account the dimensions of your hearth as well as the chimney breast when installing a new surround. This will help ensure that the surround is located away from the opening of the fireplace and doesn't extend beyond the front of the hearth (which wouldn't be safe or look good). If you plan to use a combustible surround, then you'll be required to look into local codes and regulations. A professional can provide advice on this.