Choosing a Fireplace Surround

The right surround can add personality to your living area, whether you use it to provide warmth or aesthetics. However, choosing a fireplace surround that meets code and is safe can be a challenge.

Fortunately, these custom built surrounds are constructed using non-combustible materials and adhere to the National Fire Code. They look fantastic in any home style.

Simple Concrete Surround with Marble Slabs

A fireplace surround can be a focal point of a room and it can bring warmth and elegance. It is made of many different materials and designed to suit different styles of design. When choosing a fireplace style it is essential to think about the style and the budget of the room.

Marble fireplace surrounds give a sophisticated look that complements a variety of design styles. They can be combined with rustic woods and more modern fireplace metals to create an distinctive, modern design. Marble is fairly easy to maintain and modern fireplace can stand up to extreme temperatures, making it an ideal choice for fireplace surrounds.

Stone is a timeless material for fireplace surrounds. It offers a timeless appeal that works in many homes. It can be carved and polished to give it a more contemporary look or left untouched for a more traditional feel. Stacked stone veneers can be used to add texture and depth to a room.

Granite is a popular material for modern fireplace surrounds because it is durable and able to heat very well. It is available in many patterns and colors so you can create different designs. Quartzite can be also formed and shaped to match the modern design of a surround.

If you're a DIYer making a fireplace surround made of concrete could be within your capabilities. While it may seem daunting but it can be simpler than you imagine if you plan ahead and consult with a professional ensure that the structure is sturdy enough.

It's recommended to consult with an expert before building a fireplace surround out of marble because it requires special care to avoid damage. A skilled carpenter can help avoid making mistakes that could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs.

If you plan to use tiles as an interior fireplace surround, be sure it's rated for high temperatures. You'll find this information on the package or inquire with an employee at a home improvement shop.

Leaning Frame Surround

The fireplace surround is a crucial design element that can completely transform the entire room. It's not just meant to look attractive, but also serves a practical function, which is to protect the wall behind the fireplace from damage caused by fire and deflect heat back into the room. It's available in various materials and modern fireplace can be customised to match any style or decor.

Choosing the right material for an inclined frame surround is key to creating an intentional aesthetic. Concrete is a great choice because it is strong and non-flammable. It also is attractive due to its natural texture and color. Concrete is typically poured into molds that allow you to choose the possibility of making a unique shape.

Layers are essential when creating your leaning frames. This makes the frame appear more curated rather than randomly placed. Leaning frames can be risky and should be avoided if you plan to display heavier objects like lamps or vases, put a small piece of drawer liner made of rubber under the base to keep them from sliding or damaging surfaces.

Consider adding a wooden board to the bottom of a concrete or marble surround. This will help to keep it in the right place. It will also help to reduce the weight of the item and prevent it from moving while you enjoy a good cup of coffee or wine in front of your mantel.

Once you have decided on the material, it's time to construct the actual piece. Begin by marking the wall you're building with the dimensions of your frame and then use a saw to cut cleats on each of these points. Make sure that the cleat on top is at least one foot longer than the shelf.

Then, you can screw the brackets onto the wall. Make sure that the bolts are inserted through the backer board and then into the wall stud. If necessary, pre-drill the screw holes. Then, 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 long and strong enough to cover the thickness of the backerboard and 2/3 of the mantel's thickness.

Black Firebox Surround

Fireplace surrounds play a functional and decorative function. They protect walls against damage from heat and also reflect heat back into the room, and can make a fire more of a focal piece in a space. The most common materials for fireplace surrounds include wood and metal. Metal surrounds are sometimes required by building codes to guard nearby combustible areas or simply to improve the appearance of a fireplace, making it look more attractive.

The fireplace in this contemporary living space has the black firebox surround, with white marble accents. The stone is a higher-end material that requires more care than a wooden mantel, but it provides a dramatic and striking design element to the space. The black finish also ties with the dark tones of the wood flooring and furniture to create an overall appearance.

Concrete isn't just for sidewalks and driveways. It's also a versatile and attractive material that can be used to surround fireplaces. It can be poured into place and then shaped into any shape, offering the user a variety of design options. This concrete surround was shaped to a curved profile. It creates an elegant and contemporary look that contrasts with the darker shades of the brick wall and wood floor.

Wood is another popular material used for fireplace surrounds. It is available in a variety of textures and colors that will complement any decor scheme. Wooden surrounds are lighter and more affordable than brick surrounds and can be made to match the color of your existing hearth pad. Most wooden surrounds can accommodate decoration for your mantel, including vases and lamps.

Certain wood surrounds have an edging that covers the mantel's top and houses the fireplace doors. This plate can be affixed with hinges that are decorative or fasteners that replicate the appearance of wrought iron.

When choosing a mantel made of wood or a fireplace surround made of metal, it is important to think about the height of your chimney. Building codes stipulate minimum clearance distances to stop the spread of fire into the home. This distance may vary based 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 appearance, there are kinds of surrounds that you can purchase. Some surrounds are completely solid oak while others are various materials like stone legs that are paired with oak or pine mantels. There are also oak or pine fire surrounds designed to be a simple and affordable alternative.

A lot of people opt to buy a pre-made wooden fireplace surround since it's an inexpensive method of getting the look that they want without having to pay for the services of carpenters. Some of the pre-made pine fireplace surrounds come in a range of different finishes to blend it with your existing decor.

Another type of wood fire surround is one that is hand-crafted from high-quality oak. 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 electric fires. It comes in two different styles: flat or arched.

If you have a bit more experience with DIY home improvement projects, there are plenty of tutorials online that can help you create your own fire surround from wood. One example is this thorough step-by-step tutorial from H2O Bungalow that teaches you how to make a rustic inspired wood surround from pine.

The tutorial will show you how to construct the horizontal portion of the fireplace surround first, then how to build the columns or pilasters vertically that support the mantel. Once these are completed you can put in the mantel itself. Finally, the tutorial shows you how to add the crown molding which will be used to fill in any gaps between the cladding and the wall.

Since a wooden fireplace surround is constructed from combustible material, it is important that you adhere to your local fire code and keep it at least 6 inches away from the edge of the chimney opening. Use a non-flammable glue to join the decorative molding to the surround and make sure it is held in the correct position.