Choosing a Fireplace Surround

If you are using a fireplace for aesthetics or warmth, choosing the perfect surround can make your living space more unique. However, choosing the right fireplace surround that is compliant with standards and is safe can be a challenge.

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

Simple Concrete Surround with Slabs of Marble

A fireplace surround can be a focal point in a room and it can provide warmth and a sense of style. It can be crafted from a wide selection of materials and be designed to match different styles of design. Before choosing a fireplace design, it's important that you take into consideration the design and budget of the room.

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

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

Granite is a very popular choice for modern surrounds around fireplaces wood [Going to Machtech]. It's durable and can be able to withstand heat well. It is also available in a variety of patterns and colors which means it can be used to create a variety of design styles. Quartzite can be also molded and shaped to fit a modern surround.

If you're a DIYer installing a concrete fireplace surround might be within your capabilities. It may seem like a daunting task however it's much simpler than you think working with professionals and prepare ahead.

It's recommended to speak with an expert when building a fireplace surround out of marble, as it requires special attention to avoid damage. A skilled carpenter will help you avoid mistakes that could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs.

If you're planning on using tiles for your fireplace surround, ensure it's rated for high-temperature applications. You'll typically find this information on the packaging or ask an employee at a home improvement store.

Leaning Frame Surround

The fireplace surround is a crucial design element that can transform the whole space. It's not just meant to look beautiful, but also serves a practical purpose, which is to protect the wall behind the fireplace from fire damage and also to help reflect heat back into the room. It comes in a variety materials and can be customized to match any style or décor.

The right material is crucial to achieve a definite aesthetic. Concrete is a great option because it is strong, non-flammable, and has a lot visual appeal due to its natural texture and colour. Concrete is usually put into a mold, which allows you to create a unique design for your fireplace surround.

When designing your leaning frame, make sure to include layers. This makes the piece appear more planned as opposed to being randomly placed. If you are planning to display heavy objects like vases or lamps on leaning frames, you can place a piece of lining for drawers made of rubber underneath the base. This will prevent them from sliding or 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 its place. It will also help to reduce the weight of the object and prevent it from shifting when you're enjoying a nice cup of coffee or wine in front of your mantel.

After you have chosen the material, it's time to construct the actual piece. Mark the wall with the dimensions for your surround. Then with a saw, cut cleats along each line. Make sure the top cleat is at least one foot shorter than the shelf.

Attach the brackets to the wall. Make sure the bolts go through the backer board and into the wall stud. If needed, drill the screw holes. Then, temporarily clamp the mantel on the backer board. Fix the mantel to studs using the lag bolts (2-4 bolts per stud). Be sure that the bolts are long enough to cover 2/3 of the mantel depth + the thickness of the backer board.

Black Firebox Surround

fireplace insert surrounds serve both an aesthetic and functional function. They protect walls from heat damage and also help to redirect some of the heat back into the room and can make a fireplace more of a focal point in a space. Metal and wood are the most commonly used materials used to construct fireplace surrounds. Metal surrounds can be required by the building code to protect nearby combustible materials or to enhance the appearance of a fireplace.

This fireplace is a contemporary living room with a black surround and white marble accents. The stone is a more expensive material that requires more attention than a wooden mantel but it adds a dramatic and striking design element to the room. The black finish also brings in the dark shades of the furniture and wood flooring to create a cohesive appearance.

While you may think of concrete as sidewalks or driveways, it is a very flexible and attractive material for fireplace surrounds. It can be formed into a variety of shapes and then poured in place, giving virtually unlimited design options. This concrete surround has been cut into a curving profile giving it an elegant, modern fireplace appearance that contrasts with the darker shades of the wood floor and brick wall.

Another popular material for fireplace surrounds is wooden, which is available in a variety of textures and colors that match any style. Wooden surrounds are less heavy and less expensive than masonry surrounds and they can be finished to match the color of your current hearth pad. The majority of wooden surrounds can accommodate household decor above the mantel, including vases and lamps.

Some wood surrounds come with an edging that covers the mantel's top and houses the fireplace doors. The faceplate can be secured with hinges that are decorative or fasteners that can mimic the appearance of iron wrought.

It is important to take into consideration the height of your fireplace when selecting a wood mantel. Building codes require minimum clearance distances to prevent a fire from spreading into the home. This distance will vary depending on the type of fireplace, and can also change from country to 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 completely solid oak while others are a combination of materials including stone legs, paired with pine or oak mantels. There are also oak or pine fireplace surrounds that are designed to be a low-cost and easy option.

A lot of people opt to purchase a pre-made wood fireplace surround since it's an inexpensive way to get the look that they want without having to pay for the services of a carpenter. Certain 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 popular. It can be stained with a light oak color or left untreated to ensure that the natural golden brown of wood shows through. This fireplace surround is suitable for wood or gas burning ethanol fires and can be fitted either with a flat or arched opening.

If you have more experience in DIY home improvement projects, there's a wealth of tutorials online that can assist you in creating your own wooden fire surround. This step-by-step tutorial from H2O Bungalow will show how to build a rustic wood surround using pine.

The tutorial teaches how to construct the horizontal part before building the vertical pilasters which support the mantel. After the columns or pilasters are finished you can put up your mantel. The tutorial will show how to put up the crown molding, which will cover any gaps between the wall's cladding and the wall fireplace surrounding it.

Since a wooden fireplace surround is made from combustible material, it is important to adhere to the fire codes of your area and keep it 6 inches 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 ensure that it stays in place after the surround is installed.