24 Hours For Improving Fireplace Surrounds
Choosing Fireplace Surrounds That Match Your Interior Design Style
The right surround for your fireplace can be the difference between enhancing or ruining the appearance of your room, whether you have an electric fireplace or wood-burning fireplace. Finding a fireplace surround that matches your interior style is not 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 fireplace surround made of wood can be a very important piece of furniture because it creates a focal point within the room, and also breaks up a wall which could otherwise be empty. A wood surround can also make it easier to hang holiday decorations. Pine surrounds, in particular, can be used to store garlands and wreaths, and they are easily removed after the festive season has ended.
It is essential to be in line with the style of your house when selecting a wood surround for your fireplace. Wooden fireplace surrounds can be bought in a range of styles and finishes to match any decor from traditional to modern. There are a variety of designs and sizes to choose from. Some fireplace surrounds are flat and set flush against the wall. Others are designed to be mantels that are set away from the wall.
Oak is the most well-known wood fireplaces used for fireplace inserts surrounds. It is durable and beautiful. It is a sturdy, dense timber that is impervious to shrinkage, warping and swelling. It is also hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture from the air, which helps to protect it against damage and attack by fungal organisms.
Oak veneers and pine are also available as wood fireplace surrounds. Both of these materials are relatively inexpensive and are typically sold as complete surrounds with the hearth and back panels included. They are available at many home and DIY stores. Online retailers such as Pureglow sell them frequently.
It is crucial to remember that a wood surround must be set a certain distance from the opening of the firebox for security. This distance is determined by fire hazard clearance requirements which are based on the regulations and codes applicable to your area of residence.
Stone
A fireplace surround made of stone is a great way to give a rustic and warm style to your home. It not only blends in with your style of interior design and style, but it also can improve the value of your home. In fact, some studies show that a beautifully designed fireplace can help you make your house sell more quickly and at a greater price.
You can pick from a variety of stones for your fireplace surround. These include granite and marble. Both are durable and can last for a long amount of time with little maintenance. Additionally they are usually less expensive than wood.
Natural stone is more expensive than other materials but it provides a higher degree of beauty and durability which is why it is a worthwhile investment. You can pick from a variety of shades, patterns, and textures to create an original style for your home. You can choose to have a custom-made fireplace surrounds made of natural stone. This will make it a unique design element.
Stone surrounds are perfect for both gas and wood burning fireplaces. Stone surrounds are resistant to high temperatures, and don't crack or warp when exposed to heat. Additionally, they are resistant to stains and scratches. Granite is a well-known and inexpensive option for fireplace surrounds. It is scratch resistant, non-porous and resistant to the chemicals that would otherwise damage other surfaces in the house.
A fireplace surround made of stone can be difficult and time-consuming to clean. The crevices and joints between the stones can become traps for household dirt. It is essential to keep your fireplace clean to prevent any accumulation that could result in the risk of a fire or health hazard.
Marble
Marble is a luxurious and elegant material that turns any fireplace into a stunning centerpiece. The stunning stone can be used in a range of styles, ranging from modern to traditional, so it's easy to find the perfect marble surround to go with your interior decor. Marble Fireplaces (Www.Skydivelm.Com) are great for open floor plans, introducing elegance and class to the space while bringing harmony between different zones.
In contrast to other materials, marble is inert to heat, meaning it will not change color or become warped when the fireplace heats up. It also helps to insulate the heat, helping to keep the area warm even after the fireplace has been removed. Marble is available in a variety of finishes and colors, so you're bound to find the perfect option to match your style.
If you're considering a marble fireplace you'll need to select a color that complements other design elements in the room. White marble is great with neutral tones and can be combined with wood trim or accent pieces to create a classic appearance. Darker marbles such as the ones in this home designed by Tamsin Johnston are great with earth tones and relaxed styles.
Be prepared for extra maintenance if you choose marble fireplace. Marble can be more prone to staining than other materials, and it requires regular sealing to maintain its appearance. It is also important to clean your marble regularly to avoid etching and water staining. Fortunately, there are special marble cleaning products available on the market to use, but be careful to test them in a hidden spot before using them on your marble surround. If you're not comfortable with committing to ongoing maintenance, you can consider granite as an alternative that is affordable alternative.
Granite
Granite is another natural stone option that can provide an impressive accent to any fireplace. It's a durable stone that is able to withstand high temperatures and wear. This makes it a great choice for fireplaces. It's also a non-combustible material which helps to keep the area around the fire safe from the ash and other debris that could otherwise fall and damage the surface.
You can provide your customers with the possibility of a variety of granite colors to choose from for their fireplace surrounds. Consider swirls of white and black to match the geometric form of modern gas fireplaces. A marbled granite surround extending several feet around the frame of a wood-burning fireplace can create a single wall focal point in a traditional living room.
The classic appearance of limestone is a wonderful option for any home. It is a stone with light browns, creams and grays that can blend with various designs and themes. It is resistant against heat and can withstand smoke from burning wood. However, it must be sealed regularly to avoid staining and water penetration.
If your clients are looking for an icy tone, consider Baracuda blue granite. It is a sea-like ripple in shades of white, grey and blue. This granite looks stunning next to a roaring flame, and it's easy to clean to keep the area looking beautiful.
Granite is a igneous rock that's formed from magma. It naturally has superior durability and strength. It's rated as seven on the Mohs scale of hardness, meaning that it's very difficult to chip or scratch. Granites can endure enormous 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 way to add modern style to your home. Its neutral appearance works well with a variety of decors and is easy to maintain. You can use it on its own or combine it with other materials like wood for a traditional appearance.
A metal surround can be useful to reduce draft issues. It creates a more tightly-packed area for combustion that helps reduce the amount of heat that escapes up the flue. This is especially beneficial for fireplaces using gas.
Steel fireplace surrounds are available in a variety of styles and finishes. Some of the fireplace surrounds made of steel are polished and brushed for an elegant finish. Others have rougher textures that add contrast to the room. The kind of steel you pick will be based on your personal style and the color scheme that you have chosen for your room.
Certain fireplace suite surrounds made of steel have a mantel that can be used to store decorative items like vases or plants. The mantel design can vary but most come with simple or stepped designs to add dimension to your fireplace.
You can also choose to install a surround only, without the mantel. This option is usually less costly and is best for smaller rooms, where the large surround can overwhelm the space.
It is important to take into account the size of your hearth and chimney breast when installing a new surround. This will ensure that the surround is safe away from the opening of the fireplace and that it does not extend beyond the front of the hearth (which would not be safe or look nice). If you're planning to install an ignitable surround, you'll be required to look into local codes and regulations. A professional can offer guidance on this.