15 Facts Your Boss Wishes You Knew About Fireplace Surround

Choosing a freestanding fireplace Surround

If you're using fireplaces for aesthetics or warmth, choosing the best surround will give your living room personality. It can be difficult to pick a fireplace surround which is safe and in line with the code.

Fortunately, these custom-built surrounds are made with non-combustible materials that adhere to the National Fire Code. They can look great in any style of home.

Simple Concrete Surround with Marble Slabs

A fireplace surround can be a focal point of the room and can bring warmth and elegance. It is made of various materials and crafted to match various styles of design. When choosing a fireplace style it is important to consider the style and budget of the space.

Marble fireplace surrounds give an elegant look that is compatible with a variety of design styles. They can be paired with rustic woods and more modern metals to create an unique, contemporary look. Marble is relatively simple to maintain and is able to withstand extreme temperatures, making it a great choice for fireplace surrounds.

Stone is an elegant fireplace surround material that has a timeless look and can be used in a variety of homes. It can be carved and cut to give it a more contemporary look or left untouched to give a more traditional look. Stacked stone veneers may also be used to add depth and texture to a room.

Granite is a very popular material for modern fireplace surrounds since it is durable and able to heat extremely well. It is also available in a variety of patterns and colors, so it can be used to create a variety of styles. Quartzite is a different, durable material that can be cut and made into a modern fireplace surround.

If you're a handyman, making a fireplace surround made of concrete might be within your capabilities. It may seem like a daunting task however it's much simpler than you think when you collaborate with a professional and prepare ahead.

It's recommended to consult with an expert before creating a fireplace surround made of marble because it requires special attention to avoid damage. A carpenter with experience will help you avoid costly errors.

If you're planning to use tiles for your fireplace surround, be sure it's approved for high-temperature use. You can typically find this information on the packaging or ask an employee at a home improvement store.

Leaning Frame Surround

The fireplace surround can completely transform the look of a room. It's not just designed to be aesthetically pleasing but also serves a practical function, which is to protect the wall behind the fireplace from damage caused by fire and deflect heat away from the room. It is available in a variety of materials and can be customized to match any style or décor.

The right material to use for an inclined frame surround is key to creating an intentional aesthetic. Concrete is a great choice because it's durable and non-flammable. It also is attractive due to its natural texture and colour. It's usually placed into a mold giving you the ability to create a unique shape for your fireplace surround.

When you design your leaning frame, be sure to include layers. This makes the piece appear more curated as opposed to being randomly placed. If you intend to display heavy objects such as lamps or vases on leaning frames, you can place a piece of lining for drawers made of rubber under the base. This will prevent them from sliding off or damaging surfaces.

Consider adding a wooden plank to the bottom of a concrete or a marble surround. This will help keep it in place. It will also help reduce the weight and keep the item from moving while you sip your cup of wine or coffee in the front of your fireplace.

Once you've chosen the material for your leaning frame surround, it's time to start building the actual piece. First, mark your new wall with the dimensions of the surround and use a saw to cut cleats at each of these marks. Make sure that the cleat on top is at least one foot shorter than the shelf.

Fix the brackets to the wall. Make sure the bolts pass through the backer board and then into the wall stud. Making the screw holes in advance is necessary if needed. After that, temporarily fix the mantel to the backer board. Screw the mantel with the lag bolts (2-4 bolts per stud). Make sure that the bolts are sufficient to cover 2/3 of the mantel's depth plus the thickness of the backer board.

Black Firebox Surround

Fireplace surrounds serve a practical and decorative function. They shield walls from damage from heat, reflect some of the heat back into the room, and can make a fireplace a focal piece in the space. Metal and wood are the most common materials used for fireplace surrounds. Metal surrounds can be required by building codes to guard nearby combustible surfaces or they may simply enhance the aesthetic of a fireplace, making it look complete.

This fireplace is a contemporary living space with a black surround and white marble accents. The stone is a more expensive material that requires more maintenance than a mantel made of wood, however it provides a dramatic and striking design element to the space. The black finish also ties to the dark hues of the furniture and wood flooring to create a seamless appearance.

While you might associate concrete with sidewalks and driveways, it's actually a very versatile and attractive material for fireplace surrounds. It can be shaped into custom shapes and then poured in place, allowing for nearly limitless design options. The concrete surround was formed into a curved shape. It has modern and sleek appearance that contrasts with the darker shades of the brick wall and floor.

Another popular material for fireplace surrounds is wood, which is available in a wide variety of textures and colors that match any style. Wooden surrounds are lighter and more affordable than masonry surrounds and they can be finished to match the color of your current hearth pad. The majority of wooden surrounds are designed to hold decorative items for the mantel, like lamps and vase.

Some wood surrounds include an edging that is placed on top of the mantel and houses the doors to the fireplace. This plate can be hung to the mantel with hinges or decorative fasteners that resemble the look of iron.

It is essential to take into consideration the dimensions of your fireplace when choosing a mantel made of wood. To stop a fire from spreading to your home, building codes stipulate minimum clearances. The distance will differ based on the type of fireplace and can vary from the country to the country or state to state.

Simple Wood Surround

There are a variety of options for surrounds if you wish to give your fireplace a traditional look. Some surrounds are made of solid oak, while others incorporate stone legs with pine or oak mantels. You can also pick from oak or pine fire surrounds which are designed to be a low-cost and simple option.

Many people opt to buy a pre-made fireplace surround because it is an economical way to achieve the look they want without hiring a carpenter. Some of the pre-made pine fireplace surrounds come in a variety of finishes to match it to your existing decor.

A handcrafted wood fire surround made of high-quality oak is also a popular choice. It can be stained to a light oak colour or left untreated to allow the natural light golden brown of the wood fireplace to shine through. The fireplace surround can be used with either gas or wood ethanol fireplaces. It comes in two styles: flat or arched.

For those of you who have a bit more experience with DIY home improvement projects, there's a wealth of tutorials available online to help you to make your own wooden fire surround. This step-by-step guide from H2O Bungalow shows you how to make an attractive wood surround with pine.

The tutorial will show you how to construct the horizontal part of the fireplace surround first, and then how to construct the vertical pilasters or columns that support the mantel. Once these are completed you can put in the mantel itself. The guide will show you how to install the crown molding, which will cover any gaps between the wall's cladding and the wall that surrounds it.

Since a wooden fireplace surround is made of combustible materials it is essential that you follow the local electric fire code and keep it at least 6 inches from the edge of the chimney opening. Use a non-flammable glue attach the decorative molding to the surround and make sure it is held in place.