9 Lessons Your Parents Taught You About Fireplace Surrounds
Choosing Fireplace Stove Surrounds That Match Your Interior Design Style
The perfect surround for your fireplace can be the difference between enhancing or ruining the look of the room, whether you have a wood-burning or electric fireplace. Finding a surround to match your style of interior isn't always easy.
Brick can be utilized in modern, rustic, or farmhouse style homes. It's also a great choice for homeowners on a budget because it can be painted.
Wood
A fireplace surround made of wood is an essential piece of furniture because it serves as an accent piece for the room, and it also helps break down walls that might otherwise be blank. In addition, a wooden surround makes it easier to hang decorations for the holidays. Pine surrounds, in particular, can be used to hold wreathes and garlands and these are then easily removed once the holiday season is over.
It is essential to fit in with the style of your house when selecting a wood surround for your fireplace. Wooden surrounds come in a variety of styles and finishes to fit any decor from modern to traditional. There are a myriad of choices for design and size. Some fireplace surrounds are flat and placed flush against the wall. Others are designed as a mantel that is positioned away from the wall.
The most popular kind of fireplace surround made of wood is oak, and it is renowned for being a durable and beautiful material. It is a solid thick and dense wood that is resistant to warping, shrinkage and swelling. It is also hygroscopic which means it absorbs moisture from the air. This helps to protect against fungus attack and damages.
The pine and oak veneers are also available as wood fireplace surrounds. Both materials are reasonably priced and are usually sold as complete surrounds, fireplaces wooden - gpsites.Stream - that include the hearth and back panels. They are available from a number of DIY and home-based stores. They are also commonly sold online by retailers such as Pureglow.
It is important to remember that a wood-lined surround needs to be placed a certain distance from the opening of the firebox for security. The distance is determined by fire hazard clearance requirements that are based on the regulations and codes applicable to your area of residence.
Stone
A fireplace with a stone surround can give an authentic and warm appearance to your home. It's not just a way to blend into your interior design style, but it can also increase the value of your home. Some studies have shown that a well designed fireplace suites can help your home sell faster and at a higher value.
You can pick from a variety of stones to make your fireplace surround. They include granite and marble. Both are durable and will last for many years with minimal maintenance. They are also typically less expensive than hardwood.
Natural stone is more expensive than other materials, but it offers a higher level of durability and beauty and is therefore a worthy investment. You can choose from a wide selection of colors, patterns and textures to create the perfect look for your room. You can also opt to have your fireplace's surround custom made with natural stone, making it an exclusive design element.
Stone surrounds work well with both wood and gas fireplaces. Stone surrounds are able to withstand high temperatures, and aren't warped or cracked when exposed to extreme heat. They also resist scratches, stains, and abrasions. Granite, for instance is among the most popular and cost-effective alternatives for a fireplace surround. It is non-porous, scratch resistant and abrasion resistant to chemicals that can harm other surfaces.
One disadvantage of the stone fireplace surround is that it is difficult to clean. The concrete joints and crevices between the stones could trap household dirt. Cleaning your fireplace on a regular basis is crucial to avoid any buildup which could cause a health problem or fire hazard.
Marble
Marble is a luxurious material that transforms any fireplace into an eye-catching centerpiece. The beautiful stone can be used in a variety of styles, Fireplaces Wooden from modern to traditional, which makes it easy to find the perfect marble surround to go with your interior decor. Marble fireplaces are great for open floor plans, bringing elegance and class to the space while providing cohesion between different zones.
Marble is heat resistant which means that unlike other materials it won't change color or warp when the fireplace gets hotter. It also helps insulate heat, helping to keep the room warm even after the fireplace has gone out. Marble is available in a myriad of colors and finishes, so you're sure to find the perfect option that will suit your taste.
If you decide to install an open fireplace made of marble, you will want to pick a color that is in harmony with the other design elements of 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 appearance. Darker marbles, like the deep swirls in this home designed by Tamsin Johnson, work with earth tones and more casual styles.
Be prepared for additional maintenance if you decide to install a fireplace made of marble. Marble is more prone to staining than other materials, and requires regular sealing in order to maintain its appearance. It is also important to clean your marble frequently to avoid etching or water stains. There are marble cleaning products available on the market. But, you must test them in a discreet area before using them to clean your marble surround. If you're not comfortable committing to ongoing maintenance, you can consider granite as an alternative that is affordable alternative.
Granite
Granite is a natural stone that can be used to add a stunning accent to any fireplace. It's a tough stone that can withstand extreme temperatures and wear. This makes it an ideal choice for fireplaces. It's also a non-combustible stone which helps keep the area around the fire free of the ash and other debris that could fall and cause damage to the structure.
Your customers can select from a variety of granite colors to customize their fireplace surrounds. For a striking design take a look at black and white fireplace swirls that can enhance the geometric design of a modern-style gas fireplace. A marbled granite surround that extends several feet around the frame of a fireplace with wood burning can be a perfect wall focal point in a traditional living area.
Limestone is another non-combustible option with a classic aesthetic for any home. It comes in a variety of colors that include light browns and creams. It can be utilized to complement a range of styles and themes. It is resistant to heat and can resist smoke from burning wood. However, it must be sealed on a regular basis to prevent staining and water penetration.
If your clients prefer cooler tones, consider Baracuda Blue granite that has oceanic ripples of blue grey and white. This granite looks beautiful in a fireplace and is easy to maintain.
Granite is a natural igneous rock, which is formed from magma, which is why it naturally possesses greater durability and strength. It's rated seven on the Mohs scale of hardness, which means that it is extremely difficult to scratch or chip. Unlike other natural stones, that can break or crack easily under stress, granites are able to stand up to a tremendous amount of stress without breaking. This durability is an important aspect that allows granite structures to remain intact for centuries.
Steel
A steel fireplace surround is a great way to bring modern style to your home. Its neutral design is easy to maintain and goes with many different types of decor. You can choose to use it by itself or in conjunction with other materials like wood for a more traditional look.
A metal surround is also useful in reducing draft issues. It creates a tighter area for combustion which helps reduce the amount of heat that escapes down the flue. This is particularly beneficial for gas-powered fireplaces.
Steel fireplace surrounds come in a variety of styles and finishes. Some are polished or brushed to create a more elegant appearance and others have a rougher surface to bring more contrast to the room. The kind of steel you pick will depend on your preferred aesthetic and the color scheme you have chosen for your room.
Certain fireplace surrounds made of steel come with a mantel which can be used to store decorative objects like pots or plants. Mantel designs can differ but most have a simple or stepped design to add dimension to your fireplace.
You can also choose to install the surround alone, without the mantel. This option is typically less expensive and works well for smaller rooms in which a massive surround might 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 does not extend further than the front of the hearth and is situated at a safe 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 help you on this.