Choosing Fireplace Surrounds That Match Your Interior Design Style

The perfect surround for your fireplace can alter the appearance of your room regardless of whether you have a wood-burning or electric fireplace. However, finding a fireplace surround that matches your interior style can be a bit challenging.

Brick can be used in contemporary, rustic or farmhouse style homes. It's also an excellent choice for homeowners on a budget, since it is easy to paint.

Wood

A fireplace surround made of wood can be a very important piece of furniture as it creates a focal point within the room, and also breaks up walls that might otherwise be blank. A wooden fireplaces surround makes it easier to hang holiday decorations. Pine surrounds can be used for garlands and wreaths, and they are easily removed after the holiday season.

When choosing a wood fireplace surround, it is important to choose one that matches the style of your home. Wooden surrounds can be purchased in a range of styles and finishes to match any decor from traditional to modern. There are a variety of options for size and design. For instance, some fireplace surrounds come in a flat style and is set to the wall flush, while others are designed to be an actual mantel and are set away from it.

The most well-known type of fireplace surround made of wood is oak and it is renowned for being beautiful and durable. It is a strong solid wood that is resistant to warping, swelling, and shrinkage. It is also hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture from the air, so this helps to protect it against damage and attack by fungal organisms.

Other types of wood fireplace surrounds are available, and include pine veneers and oak. Both of these are reasonably priced and are often sold in complete surrounds that have the hearth and back panel as well. They can be purchased at many home and DIY stores. They are also sold online by retailers like Pureglow.

It is essential to keep in mind that a wood surround must 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 on codes and regulations for your area of residence.

Stone

A stone fireplace surround is a great option to create an inviting and rustic appearance to your home. It can enhance the value of your home because it blends with your style, but also matches it. A few studies have demonstrated that a well-designed fireplace can aid in selling your house faster and at a higher price.

There are many kinds of stones you can use for your fireplace's surround, such as marble and granite. Both are highly durable and will last for many years with minimal maintenance. They are also often cheaper than hardwood.

While natural stone may be somewhat more expensive thanace heats up. It also insulates heat, which helps keep the area warm even after the fire goes out. Marble comes in a variety of finishes and colors so you can find the ideal match for your style.

If you're planning to install a fireplace made of marble, you'll want to choose the color that is compatible with other design elements in the room. White marble is great with neutral tones and can be paired with wood trim or accent pieces to create a classic look. Darker marbles, like the deep swirls in this home designed by Tamsin Johnson, work with earth tones and more relaxed styles.

Be prepared to do some extra maintenance if you choose a fireplace made of marble. Marble is more susceptible to staining than other materials, and it requires regular sealing to maintain its beauty. It is also necessary to clean it regularly to avoid etching and water stains. There are marble cleaning products available on the market. However, you should test them first in a private area prior to using them to clean your marble surround. Granite is a great alternative to marble if you don't want to spend a lot of time on maintenance.

Granite

Granite is a natural stone that can be used to add an impressive accent to any fireplace. It's a tough stone that can withstand extreme temperatures and wear. This makes it a great option for fireplaces. It's also a non-combustible material which helps to keep the area surrounding the fire safe from the ash and other debris that might fall and harm the surface.

You can provide your customers with a variety of granite colors for their fireplace surrounds. For a striking look, consider black and silvery white swirls that can enhance the geometric design of a modern gas fireplace. A marbled granite surround extending several feet around the frame of a wood-burning fireplace can create a single wall fires accent in a traditional living area.

The classic look of limestone is an excellent option for any home. It comes in a variety of colors that include light browns as well as creams. It can be utilized to complement a range of styles and themes. It is abrasive to heat and can withstand the smoke of 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 with oceanic waves of blue, white and grey. This granite is stunning in a fireplace and is easy to maintain.

Granite is an natural igneous rock, which is formed from magma, which is why it naturally has exceptional durability and strength. It's rated 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness, meaning that it's extremely difficult to scratch or chip. Unlike other natural stones, which break or crack easily under pressure granites are able to stand up to a tremendous amount of stress without breaking. This is the main reason why granite structures last for centuries.

Steel

A surround made of steel for your fireplace is a great option for any home. Its neutral look is easy to maintain and blends with a variety of decor. You can use it alone or combine it with other materials like wood for a more traditional look.

A metal surround is also useful to reduce draft issues. It makes a smaller area for combustion, which decreases the amount of heat that escapes the flue. This is especially useful for fireplaces that run on gas.

Steel fireplace surrounds come in a wide range of 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 type of steel you pick will depend on your preferred aesthetic and the color scheme you've chosen for your space.

Certain fireplace surrounds made of steel include a mantel, which can be used to store decorative objects like pots or even plants. Mantel designs can differ but most come with a simple or stepped design to give a more dimensional look to your fireplace.

Alternately, you can opt to install a surround without a mantel. This option is typically cheaper and is ideal for smaller rooms where a huge surround could overwhelm the space.

When installing a new surround, it is important to consider the size of the hearth and chimney breast. This will ensure that the surround is not more than the front of the hearth and is at an appropriate distance from the fireplace opening. If you are planning to install an ignitable surround, you'll be required to look into local codes and regulations. A professional can provide advice on this.