10 Undeniable Reasons People Hate Fireplace Surrounds

Choosing Fireplace Surrounds That Match Your Interior Design Style

The right surround for your fireplace can alter the appearance of your room regardless of whether you have electric or wood-burning fireplace. However, finding a tabletop fireplace surround that is in line with your interior style may be a bit challenging.

Brick is a great alternative that can be incorporated into modern, rustic or farmhouse-style homes. It's also a great option for homeowners on a tight budget, since it is easily painted.

Wood

A fireplace surround made of wood can be an extremely important piece of furniture as it creates a focal point within the room and can break up walls that could otherwise be empty. A surround made of wood makes it easier to hang holiday decorations. Pine surrounds in particular can be used to store garlands and wreaths, and they are easily removed after the festive season is over.

When selecting a wood fireplace surround, it's essential to choose one that matches the style of your home. Wooden surrounds are available in a variety of styles and finishes that complement any decor from traditional to contemporary. There are a myriad of designs and sizes to choose from. Some fireplace surrounds are flat and placed directly against the wall. Others are designed as an elongated mantel that is set away from the wall.

Oak is the most popular wood used to build fireplace surrounds. It is strong and beautiful. It is a strong solid wood that is resistant to warping, swelling, and shrinkage. It is also hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture from the air, thereby helping to protect it against fungal attack and damage.

Pine and oak veneers are also available as fireplace surrounds. Both of these are fairly inexpensive and are usually sold as complete surrounds with the hearth and back panel included. They are available from many home and DIY stores. They are also typically sold through online retailers such as Pureglow.

It is essential to remember that a wood surround should be placed at a certain distance from the opening of the firebox to ensure security. This distance is determined by determining the clearance for fire hazards requirements, based on codes or regulations as well as laws in the area you live in.

Stone

A fireplace surround made of stone is a fantastic way to give an inviting and rustic style to your home. Not only does it blend into your interior design style and style, but it also can increase the value of your home. Some studies have shown that a fireplace with a good design can assist you in selling your home more quickly and at more money.

You can pick from a wide range of stone options for your fireplace's surround. They include granite and marble. Both are durable and will last for an extended period of time with minimal maintenance. In addition they are generally less expensive than wood.

Natural stone is more expensive than other materials but it has a higher level of beauty and durability, making it worth the investment. You can pick from different colors, patterns and textures to create a distinctive design for your home. You can opt to have a custom fireplace surrounds made of natural stone. This will create a unique design element.

Stone surrounds are a great choice for both wood and gas fireplaces. Stone surrounds are able to withstand extreme temperatures and do not crack or warp when exposed to extreme heat. They are also resistant to scratches, stains and abrasions. Granite, for example is one of the most popular and affordable alternatives for a fireplace surround. It is non-porous, scratch resistant and abrasion resistant to chemicals that can harm other surfaces.

One drawback to the stone fireplace surround is that it can be difficult to clean. The crevices and joints made of concrete between the stones can trap household dirt. Cleaning your fireplace regularly is vital to avoid any buildup that could lead to an illness or fire hazard.

Marble

Marble is a luxurious stone that transforms any fireplace into an eye-catching centerpiece. The beautiful stone can be used in a variety of styles, from modern to traditional, making it easy to find the perfect marble surround to go with your decor. Marble fireplaces are great for open floor plans, adding elegance and sophistication to the space and bringing cohesion between various zones.

Like other materials, marble is impervious to heat, so it won't change color or shrink when the fireplace heats up. It also helps insulate heat, helping to keep the room warm even after the fireplace has been removed. Marble comes in a range of finishes and colors so you can find the most suitable match to your style.

If you decide to go with an open fireplace made of marble you should choose a shade that complements the other design elements of the room. White marble looks great with neutral tones and can be paired with wood trim or accent pieces to create a classic style. Darker marbles, such as the deep swirls in this home designed by Tamsin Johnson, complement earth tones and more comfortable styles.

If you decide to install a marble fireplace be prepared for extra maintenance. Marble can be more prone to stains than other materials, and requires regular sealing to maintain its appearance. You'll also need to wipe it down regularly to prevent water and etching staining. There are many marble cleaning products on the market to use, but be careful to test them in a non-glaring place prior to applying them to your marble surround. Granite is an excellent alternative to marble when you don't want be a constant maintenance person.

Granite

Granite is another natural stone option that can provide an amazing accent to any fireplace. It's a tough stone that is able to withstand high temperatures and wear. This makes it a great choice for fireplaces. It's also non-combustible which helps to keep the area around the fire safe from ash and other debris that could otherwise fall and damage the structure.

Your customers can pick from a range of granite colors to customize their fireplace surrounds. Consider swirls of white and black to match the geometric design of modern gas fireplaces. A marbled granite surround that extends for several feet around a wood-burning fireplace space can create an eye-catching focal point on a single wall in a traditional room.

The classic appearance of limestone is a great option for any home. This stone is available in a range of colors, including light browns and creams. It can be utilized to complement a range of styles and themes. It is resistant to heat and can be able to withstand smoke from burning wood. However, it should be sealed regularly to avoid water penetration and staining.

If your customers want an icy tone, consider Baracuda blue granite. It has oceanic ripples in shades of white, grey, and blue. This granite looks stunning when viewed next to a roaring fire, and it's also easy to clean to keep the area looking gorgeous.

Granite is a igneous rock that's formed from magma, so it naturally possesses exceptional durability and strength. It's rated as seven on the Mohs scale of hardness. This means that it is extremely difficult to chip or scratch. Granites can withstand enormous amounts of pressure without breaking or cracking. This is the key reason why granite structures can last for hundreds of years.

Steel

A steel surround for your fireplace is an excellent feature for any home. Its neutral appearance works well with a variety of styles and is incredibly easy to maintain. It can be used on its own or mix it with other materials, such as wood for a traditional appearance.

A metal surround can be used to assist with problems with drafting. It provides a more compact space for combustion, which can help reduce the amount of heat that escapes the flue. This is especially beneficial for fireplaces electric that run on gas.

Steel fireplace electric surrounds are available in a variety of styles and finishes. Some are polished or brushed to create a more elegant appearance and others are rougher to add contrast to a room. The kind of steel you choose will depend on the style you prefer and the color scheme you have chosen for your room.

Some fireplace surrounds made of steel have a mantel that can be used to store decorative items like vase or plants. The design of the mantel may differ however, most have simple designs or a step-style design that adds a dimension to your fireplace.

You can also install an only a surround, with or without the mantel. This is usually cheaper and is suitable 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 help ensure that the surround is a safe distance away from the fireplace opening and does not extend beyond the front of the hearth (which isn't safe nor look nice). If you are using a combustible material for your surround then you will need to consider the regulations and codes for the area you live in. A professional can offer suggestions on this.