Fireplace Surround: What Nobody Is Talking About

Choosing a Fireplace Surround

The right surround can add personality to your living space, whether you use it for warmth or to enhance your aesthetics. But choosing the right fireplace surround that is compliant with the requirements of code and is safe could be a difficult task.

These custom-built surrounds are made 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 Marble Slabs

A tabletop fireplace surround can be the focal point of the room, and can provide warmth and a sense of style. It is made of a variety of materials, and designed to suit a variety of design styles. It's important to consider the design of the room as well as the budget before choosing the design of a fireplace surround.

Marble fireplace surrounds provide a sophisticated look that complements a variety of design styles. They can be combined with rustic woods or modern metals to create a unique, modern style. Marble is easy to maintain and can withstand high temperature, making it a great choice for a surround.

Stone is a classic material for fireplace surrounds and offers a timeless appeal that is suitable for many homes. It can be carved and etched to give it a more contemporary look or left untouched to give a more traditional look. Stacked stone veneers can be used to add texture and depth to the interior of a room.

Granite is a very popular option for modern surrounds around fireplaces. It's tough and able to be able to withstand heat well. It is also available in a variety of patterns and colors, making it a great choice to create various styles of design. Quartzite can be also made into a shape and molded to fit an upscale surround.

If you're a DIYer the installation of a concrete fireplace surround might be within your capabilities. While it may seem daunting, this project can actually be easier than you might think if you plan ahead and work with a professional to ensure that the structure is sturdy enough.

A professional is also recommended when building a marble fireplace surround because it requires particular attention to avoid damage. A skilled carpenter can help you to avoid costly mistakes.

If you are planning to use tile for a fireplace surround, make sure it's rated for high temperatures. You can typically find this information on the packaging or ask an employee at a home improvement shop.

Leaning Frame Surround

The fireplace's surround can transform an area. It's not just meant to look attractive, but also serves a practical purpose, which is to protect the wall behind the fireplace from damage caused by fire and deflect heat back into the room. It is available in a variety of materials and can be adapted to match any style or décor.

Selecting the right material for an inclined frame surround is key to creating an aesthetic that is purposeful. Concrete is a good choice because it's highly durable and non-flammable. It also has an appealing visual appeal with its natural texture and color. It is usually poured in a mold to allow you to choose the possibility of making an original shape.

When you design your leaning frame, be sure to add layers. This makes the piece appear curated and intentional instead of being randomly placed on the shelf or wall. Leaning frames can be risky and should be avoided if you plan on displaying heavier objects like lamps or vases, put a small piece of rubber drawer liner under the base to prevent them from slipping or damaging surfaces.

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

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

Then, attach the brackets to the wall. Make sure that the bolts pass through the backer board, and into the stud. Pre-drilling the screw holes is necessary if needed. Then you can temporarily clamp the mantel on the backer board. Screw the mantel to the studs with the lag bolts (2-4 bolts per stud). Make sure the bolts are strong and long enough to cover the entire thickness of the backerboard and 2/3 of the depth of the mantel.

Black Firebox Surround

Fireplace surrounds serve a practical and decorative role. They protect walls from heat damage, deflect some of the heat back into the room and can make a fireplace an attraction in a space. The most popular materials for fireplace surrounds are wood and steel. Metal surrounds may be required by building codes to safeguard the surrounding areas from combustibles or simply to enhance the aesthetic of a fireplace to make it look more attractive.

This fireplace is a modern living room with a black surround and white marble accents. The stone is more expensive and requires more maintenance than wood, however it adds an eye-catching design feature to the room. The black finish also ties in the dark shades 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 is a very flexible and attractive material for fireplace surrounds. It can be poured on top and formed into any shape, giving you almost limitless design possibilities. The concrete surround has been designed into a curving profile, creating a sleek, modern look that contrasts with the darker tones of the brick floor and wood wall fires.

Wood is another popular material used for fireplace surrounds. It comes in a variety of textures and colors that will complement any style of decor. Wooden surrounds are less heavy and less expensive than masonry surrounds, and they can be made to match the color of your existing hearth pad. The majority of wooden surrounds are designed to accommodate decorative items for the mantel, including lamps and vase.

Certain wood fireplace surrounds have an ornamental faceplate that covers the top of the mantel and houses the doors to the fireplace. This plate can be hung to the mantel with hinges or decorative fasteners which resemble the appearance of iron.

When choosing a mantel made of wood or metal fireplace surround It is crucial to consider the height of your chimney. Building codes require minimum clearance distances to stop the spread of a fire into the home. The distance will vary based on the type of fireplace you have and also from state to state or country to country.

Simple Wood Surround

There are many options available for surrounds if you wish to give your fireplace a traditional look. Some surrounds are entirely solid oak, while others use a combination of materials including stone legs, paired with oak or pine mantels. You can also pick from pine or oak fire surrounds which are designed to be an affordable and easy option.

A lot of people choose to buy a pre-made wooden fireplace surround as this is an inexpensive method of getting the style they desire without the expense of the services of carpenters. Certain pre-made fireplace surrounds made from pine are even available in a range of different finishes so that you can match it to your existing decor.

Another kind of fire surround made of wood is one that is hand-crafted from high-quality oak. It can be stained to an oak-like light color or left untreated so that the natural golden brown of wood can be seen. This fireplace surround is suitable for wood or gas burning electric fires and can be fitted either with an arched or flat opening.

There are numerous tutorials online for those with more experience with DIY home improvement projects. They can help you make your own fireplace surround made of wood. One example is this thorough step-by-step guide from H2O Bungalow that teaches you how to make a rustic inspired wood surround using pine.

The tutorial teaches you how to build the horizontal pilasters before building the vertical pilasters that support the mantel. When the columns or pilasters are finished, you can install your mantel. Finally, the tutorial shows you how to attach the crown molding to be used to fill in any gaps between the cladding and the wall.

Since a fireplace surround made of wood is made of combustible materials, it is important that you adhere to your local fire code and keep it 6 inches away from the edge of the chimney opening. It is also essential to use a non-flammable glue to attach the decorative molding and make sure that it stays in place after the surround is put in place.