Choosing a Fireplace Surround

The right surround can add personality to your living area regardless of whether you are using it for warmth or for aesthetics. It can be difficult to choose a fireplace surround which is safe and complies with the code.

The custom-built surrounds are constructed of non-combustible materials that adhere to the National Fire Code. They are a great addition to any style of home.

Simple Concrete Surround with Slabs of Marble

A fireplace surround can be a focal point for the room, and can provide warmth and a sense of style. It is constructed using a range of materials and be designed to match different styles of design. When choosing a fireplace style it is important to take into consideration the style and budget of the space.

Marble fireplace surrounds provide an elegant look that is compatible with many different styles of design. They can be combined with rustic woods and modern metals to create a unique, contemporary look. Marble is relatively easy to maintain and is able to withstand high temperatures, making it an ideal choice for a fireplace insert surround.

Stone is a popular material for fireplace surrounds and offers a timeless appeal that is suitable for many homes. It can be cut and polished to give it a more contemporary look or left untouched for a more traditional feel. Stacked stone veneers are another popular option to add texture and depth to a room.

Granite is a popular material for modern fireplace surrounds due to the fact that it's durable and stands up to heat extremely well. It is available in many patterns and colors which allows you to create various designs. Quartzite can be also made into a shape and molded to fit a modern surround.

The installation of a concrete surround for a fireplace may be a possibility for DIYers. This task may seem daunting however it's more simple than you imagine if you work with professionals and prepare ahead.

A professional is also recommended when building a marble fireplace surround because it requires a lot of attention to avoid damage. A skilled carpenter will help you avoid costly errors.

If you are planning to use tiles as a fireplace surround, you must make sure it's suitable for high temperatures. This information is usually found on the packaging or ask an employee in the home improvement store.

Leaning Frame Surround

The fireplace surround can completely transform a room. It's not just meant to look beautiful, but also has a functional function that is to shield the wall behind the fireplace from damage caused by fire and to reflect heat back into the room. It's available in various materials and can be made to match any style or design.

The right material is essential to achieving a deliberate aesthetic. Concrete is a great option because it's durable, non-flammable, and is attractive due to its natural texture and color. Concrete is typically poured into molds to allow you to choose the option of creating a unique shape.

When designing your leaning frame, make sure to add in layers. This makes the piece appear more organized than if it were just randomly placed. Leaning frames can be dangerous, so if you're planning to display heavy objects like vases or lamps, place a small piece of rubber drawer liner underneath the base to keep them from slipping or damaging surfaces.

Consider adding a wooden board to the bottom of a concrete or a marble surround. This will help keep it in place. It will also help to reduce the weight of the piece and stop it from moving while you sip a refreshing cup of coffee or wine on your mantel.

After you've decided on the material, it's time to construct the piece. Mark the wall using the dimensions for your surround. Then with a saw, cut cleats at each line. Make sure that the cleat on the top of the shelf is at a minimum a foot shorter.

Screw the brackets on the wall. Make sure that the bolts go through the backer board and then into a stud. If needed, drill the screw holes. Then put the mantel in a clamp that is temporarily on the backer board. Attach the mantel to the studs using the lag bolts (2-4 bolts per stud). Be sure that the bolts are sufficient to cover 2/3 of the mantel's thickness plus the thickness of the backer board.

Black Firebox Surround

Fireplace surrounds serve as an aesthetic and a functional function. They protect walls from heat damage and reflect some of the heat into the room and can make a fire more of the focal point of an area. The most commonly used materials for fireplace surrounds are metal and wood. Metal surrounds can be required by building codes to protect nearby combustible surfaces or they can simply enhance the look of a fireplace to make it look complete.

The fireplace in this contemporary living space features a black firebox surround with white marble accents. The marble is more expensive and requires more maintenance than wood, but it adds an eye-catching design feature to the space. The black finish also brings to the dark hues of the furniture as well as the wood flooring to create a unified appearance.

While you might think of concrete as sidewalks or 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 virtually unlimited designs. This concrete surround was cut into a curved shape. It gives modern and sleek appearance that contrasts the darker shades of the brick wall and flooring.

Wood is another popular choice for fireplace surrounds. It is available in many colors and textures that will match any decor scheme. Wooden surrounds can be finished in any color to fit your hearth pad. They are lighter and less expensive than brick surrounds. Most fireplaces wooden surrounds are designed to hold ornaments for the mantel, such as lamps and vases.

Some wood surrounds come with a faceplate that is placed on mantel's top and houses the fireplace doors. This plate can be affixed using decorative hinges or fasteners that can mimic the look of iron wrought.

When selecting a wood mantel or a metal fireplace surround, it is important to consider the height of your chimney. To prevent a fire spreading into your home, building codes require minimum clearances. The distance will differ based on the type of fireplace used and may also vary from country to country or from state to state.

Simple Wood Surround

There are many options for surrounds to give your fireplace a traditional appearance. Some surrounds are made of solid oak, while others use a combination of materials including stone legs, paired with pine or oak mantels. There are also pine or oak fire surrounds designed to be a simple and affordable option.

A lot of people opt to buy a pre-made wooden fireplace surround because it is an inexpensive way to get the look they want without the expense of the services of carpenters. Some pre-made fireplace surrounds made from pine come in a range of different finishes so that you can blend it with your existing decor.

A handcrafted wood fire surround constructed from top quality oak is also a popular choice. It can be stained to the light oak color or left untreated to allow the natural light golden brown of the wood to shine through. The fireplace surround can be used with either wood or gas ethanol fires. It is available in two styles: flat or arched.

For electric fire those who have a bit more experience in DIY home improvement projects, there are a lot of tutorials available online to assist you in creating your own wood fire surround. One example is this thorough step-by-step tutorial from H2O Bungalow which teaches you how to create a rustic-looking wood surround out of pine.

The tutorial shows you how to build first the horizontal component and then the vertical pilasters that support the mantel. When the columns or pilasters are completed you can put up your mantel. The tutorial also shows you how to add the crown molding that will fill in any gaps between the cladding and the surrounding wall.

Because a fireplace surround made of wood is constructed from combustible material it is crucial that you adhere to your local fire code and keep it at least 6 inches away from the edge of the chimney opening. It is also essential to use an adhesive that is non-flammable to secure the decorative molding and make sure that it stays in place when the surround is installed.