11 Ways To Totally Defy Your Fireplace Surround

Choosing a Fireplace Surround

The right surround can add personality to your living room, whether you use it to provide warmth or aesthetics. It can be difficult to pick a fireplace surround which is safe and in line with the code.

These custom-built surrounds are built of non-combustible materials that adhere to the National Fire Code. They look great in any home style.

Simple Concrete Surround with Marble Slabs

A fireplace surround can be a focal point in the room and can bring warmth and elegance. It is made with a variety of materials and can be designed to fit different design styles. Before choosing a fireplace design, it's important that you think about the design and budget of the space.

Marble fireplace surrounds are a sophisticated option that can be paired with a broad range of design styles. They can be coupled with rustic woods or more modern metals to create a unique, modern design. Marble is easy to maintain, and can withstand high temperature, making it a great choice for a surround.

Stone is a classic fireplace surround material that has a timeless appeal and is suitable for many homes. It can be cut and etched to give it a more modern look or left untouched for a more traditional feel. Stacked stone veneers are a popular option that can be used to add texture and depth to a room.

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

Installing a concrete surround for a tabletop fireplace might be possible for DIYers. Although it might seem like a daunting task, this project can actually be simpler than you think if you prepare and consult with a professional ensure that the structure is sturdy enough.

It's recommended to speak with an expert before creating a fireplace surround made of marble since it requires special care to prevent damage. A skilled carpenter can help you avoid costly errors.

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

Leaning Frame Surround

The fireplace surround is an essential design element that can completely transform the entire room. It's not only visually appealing, but also serves a practical purpose. It shields the wall behind the fireplace from deterioration and reflects heat back into the area. It comes in a variety materials and can be customized to match any style or décor.

The right material is essential to achieve a definite aesthetic. Concrete is a good choice due to its durability and non-flammable. It also offers a lot of visual appeal due to its natural texture and color. Concrete is typically poured into a mold to give you the option of creating an original shape.

Layers are essential when creating your leaning frames. This makes the piece appear more organized rather than randomly placed. If you plan to display heavy items such as lamps or vases on frames that lean, put a piece of lining for drawers made of rubber beneath the base. This will stop them from sliding and damaging surfaces.

You could consider adding a wooden piece to the bottom of a concrete or a marble surround. This will help keep it in the right place. It can also reduce the weight and prevent the object from moving as you sip a glass of wine or coffee in front of your fireplace.

After you've decided on the material, it's time to construct the actual piece. Begin by marking the new wall with the dimensions of the surround and then use a saw to cut cleats along each of these marks. Make sure that the top cleat of the shelf is at least a foot shorter.

Then, you can screw the brackets onto the wall. Make sure that the bolts pass through the backer board, and into a stud. If needed, drill the screw holes. Then you can temporarily clamp the mantel on the backer board. Attach the mantel to the studs using the lag bolts (2-4 bolts per stud). Make sure that the bolts are long and strong enough to cover the entire thickness of the backerboard, plus 2/3 of the depth of the mantel.

Black Firebox Surround

Fireplace surrounds serve an aesthetic and a functional function. They shield walls from heat damage, deflect some of the heat back into the room and can make a fireplace more of an attraction in a space. Metal and wood are the most commonly used materials used for fireplace surrounds. Metal surrounds may be required by building codes to safeguard nearby combustible surfaces or they may simply enhance the look of a fireplace to make it appear more complete.

This fireplace is a contemporary living room that has an all-black surround and white marble fireplaces accents. The stone is a more expensive material that requires more maintenance than a wooden mantel but it provides a dramatic and striking design element to the room. The black finish also brings together the dark tones of the wood flooring and furniture to create an overall design.

Concrete isn't just for driveways and sidewalks. It's also a beautiful and versatile material that can be used to enclose fireplaces. It can be poured in place and formed into any shape, offering the user a variety of design options. This concrete surround was shaped into a curved shape. It gives an elegant and contemporary look that is in contrast to the darker hues of the brick wall and flooring.

Wood is another popular choice for fireplace surrounds. It comes in many colors and textures that can be incorporated into any decor. Wooden surrounds can be finished in any color to match your hearth pad. They are less heavy and less expensive than masonry surrounds. Most wooden surrounds can be used to accommodate decorative items for the mantel, including vases and lamps.

Certain wood surrounds come with a faceplate which covers the top of mantel and houses fireplace doors. The faceplate can be attached with decorative fasteners or hinges that resemble the look of iron.

It is important to take into consideration the height of your fireplace when selecting a wood mantel. Building codes require minimum clearance distances to stop the spread of a fire into the home. This distance can vary depending on the kind of fireplace you have and also from state to state or country to country.

Simple Wood Surround

If you'd like your fireplace to have a traditional wood look, there are different kinds of surrounds that can be purchased. Certain surrounds are constructed of solid oak, while others combine stone legs with oak or pine mantels. You can also find oak or pine fire surrounds designed to be a cheap and simple alternative.

A lot of people choose to purchase a pre-made wooden fireplace surround as this is an inexpensive method of getting the look that they want without having to pay for the services of a carpenter. Some pre-made fireplace surrounds made from pine are even available in a range of different finishes to match it to your existing decor.

A wood fire surround that is hand-crafted made from high quality oak is also a popular choice. It can be stained with a light oak color or left untreated, allowing the natural golden brown of the wood fireplace to shine through. This fireplace surround can be used with either gas or wood fireplaces. It is available in two different styles: arched or flat.

There are many tutorials available online for those with more experience in DIY home improvement projects. They can help you build your own fireplace surround made of wood. This step-by-step tutorial from H2O Bungalow shows you how to create an attractive wood surround with pine.

The tutorial teaches you how to build first the horizontal part, and then the vertical pilasters which support the mantel. Once the pilasters or columns are completed, you can install your mantel. The guide will show you how to install the crown molding, which will fill in any gaps between the cladding of the wall and the surrounding wall.

It is crucial to adhere to the local fire code when you install a wooden surround around the fireplace. You should keep the surround 6 inches away from the edge of the opening. Use a non-flammable glue attach the decorative molding to the surround, and ensure that it remains in the proper position.