Choosing Fireplace Surrounds That Match Your Interior Design Style

The right surround for your fireplace can alter the appearance of your room regardless of whether you have an electric fire or wood-burning fireplace. But choosing a surround that matches your interior style can be a bit tricky.

Brick is a great choice for modern, rustic or farmhouse style homes. It's also an excellent choice for homeowners with a limited budget, as it is easy to paint.

Wood

A wood fireplace surround can be an extremely important piece of furniture as it creates a focal point within the room and can break up a wall which could otherwise be empty. Additionally, a wood surround makes it easier to hang holiday decorations. Pine surrounds can be used to hang wreaths and garlands and can be easily removed after the holiday season is over.

It is important to match the style of your home when choosing a surround made of wood for your fireplace. Wooden surrounds are available in a range of styles and finishes that complement any decor from traditional to modern. There are also a wide range of options for dimensions and design. Some fireplace surrounds are flat and set flush against the wall. Others are designed as an elongated mantel that is set away from the wall.

Oak is the most popular wood used for fireplace surrounds. It is sturdy 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 air, so this helps to guard against fungal attack and damage.

Oak veneers and pine are also available as wood fireplace surrounds. Both are relatively inexpensive and are often sold in complete surrounds with the hearth and back panel as well. These can be purchased from numerous DIY and home stores. They are also sold by online retailers like Pureglow.

It is important to remember that a wood surround should be placed a certain distance from the opening of the firebox to ensure security. This distance is determined by fire hazard clearance requirements that are based upon codes and regulations for the area you live in.

Stone

A fireplace with a stone surround can provide an inviting and rustic look to your home. It can enhance the value of your house, as it blends with your interior design but also matches it. Some studies show that a beautifully designed fireplace can help you make your home sell more quickly and at a higher price.

You can pick from a wide range of stones to make your fireplace's surround. These include granite and marble. Both are highly durable and last for a long time with little maintenance. In addition they are generally less expensive than wood.

Although natural stone might be slightly more expensive than other materials, it comes with the highest quality of durability and beauty that makes it worth the cost. You can choose between various patterns, colors, and textures to create a distinctive look for your home. You can also choose to have a custom fireplace surround made of natural stone. This makes it an original design element.

Stone surrounds are a great choice for both wood and gas fireplaces shop. They can withstand high temperatures and don't break or warp when exposed to heat. Additionally, they are resistant to stains and scratches. Granite, for instance is among the most popular and cost-effective options for a fireplace's surround. It is scratch-resistant and non-porous. It is also resistant to the chemicals that would otherwise harm other surfaces in the house.

One disadvantage of the stone fireplace surround is that it can be difficult to clean. The concrete joints and crevices between the stones could trap household dirt. It is crucial to clean your fireplace regularly to prevent any accumulation that could result in the risk of a fire or health hazard.

Marble

Marble is a lux material that elevates any fireplace to an eye-catching centerpiece. Marble surrounds can be found in different styles, ranging from traditional to contemporary. Marble fireplaces work well in open floor plans, adding elegance and class to the space while providing cohesion between different zones.

In contrast to other materials, marble is impervious to heat, so it won't change color or warp when the fireplace heats up. It also insulates heat, which helps keep the area warm even after the fire has gone out. Marble is available in a myriad of colors and finishes, so you're certain to find the perfect option that will suit your taste.

If you're planning to install an elegant fireplace it is important to select one that matches other elements of design in the room. White marble looks great with neutral tones and can be combined with wood trim or accent pieces to create a classic appearance. Darker marbles like the ones in this house by Tamsin Johnston look great with earth tones and softer styles.

If you decide to go with a fireplace in marble be prepared for additional maintenance. Marble can be more prone to staining than other materials, and requires regular sealing to preserve its beauty. It is also necessary to clean your marble regularly to avoid etching or water staining. There are a variety of marble cleaners on the market that you can use however, be sure to test them in a hidden place prior to applying them to your marble surround. Granite is a great alternative to marble if you don't want to be a constant maintenance person.

Granite

Granite is an unnatural stone that can be used to provide a stunning accent in any fireplace. It's a tough stone that resists wear and tear and holds up to high temperatures, making it an ideal choice for fireplaces. It's also non-combustible. which helps keep the surrounding area of the fire safe from ash or other debris that could fall on the surface and cause damage to it.

Your customers can select from a wide array of granite colors to personalize their fireplace surrounds. Think about white and black swirls to match the geometric form of modern gas fireplaces. Alternatively, a marbled granite surround that wraps for several feet around the frame of a fireplace that burns wood can create a single wall focal point in a traditional living room.

Limestone is another non-combustible option with a classic look for any home. This stone is available in a range of shades, including light browns and creams. It can be used to complement a range of styles and themes. It is resistant to heat and can be able to withstand the smoke of burning wood. However, it should be sealed regularly to prevent staining and water penetration.

If your clients prefer cooler tones, consider Baracuda Blue granite with oceanic waves of blue, grey and white. It looks stunning when viewed next to a roaring bioethanol fire, and it's also easy to clean to keep the space looking gorgeous.

Granite is an igneous rock that's formed from magma, so it naturally possesses greater durability and strength. It's rated seven of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes it extremely difficult to scratch. In contrast to other natural stones, that can break or crack easily under pressure, granites are able to withstand immense amounts of stress without being damaged. This is the main reason why granite structures last for many centuries.

Steel

A steel fireplace surround is a great way to add modern style to your home. Its neutral appearance is easy to maintain and blends with many different types of decor. You can use it alone or pair it with other materials such as wood to create a more traditional appearance.

A metal surround is useful to reduce draft issues. It makes a smaller area for combustion, which reduces the amount of heat that escapes through the flue. This can be especially useful for gas-powered fireplaces.

Steel fireplace surrounds are available in a wide range of styles and finishes. Some of the fireplace surrounds made of steel are polished and brushed for an elegant appearance. Others have rougher textures that add contrast to the room. The kind of steel you select will depend on your personal preference for aesthetics and the color scheme that you select for your space.

Certain fireplace surrounds made of steel include a mantel, which can be used to store decorative items such as pots or plants. The design of the mantel can vary but the majority of them have a simple design or a step-style design that adds a dimension to your fireplace.

You can also choose to install a surround only, without a mantel. This is typically cheaper and is ideal for smaller rooms, as a large surround could overwhelm the space.

When installing a new surround it is essential to take into consideration the size of the hearth as well as the chimney breast. This will ensure that the surround is a safe distance away from the opening of the fireplace and does not extend beyond the front of the hearth (which isn't safe nor look nice). If you're planning to install a combustible surround, you'll have to take into consideration local codes and regulations. A professional can provide advice on this.