Choosing a Fireplace Surround

The right surround can add personality to your living area and can be used for warmth or to enhance your aesthetics. However, choosing a fireplace surround that complies with standards and is safe can be a challenge.

Fortunately, these custom 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 is an important focal point in rooms, and it can provide warmth and a sense of style. It is made with a range of materials and be designed to suit many different design styles. Before choosing a fireplace design it is essential to take into consideration the style and budget of the room.

Marble fireplace surrounds offer a sophisticated appearance that can be paired with various styles of design. They can be paired with rustic woods as well as modern metals to create an unique, contemporary look. Marble is easy to maintain, and can withstand high temperatures making it a good option for a border.

Stone is an elegant fireplace surround material that has a timeless look and can be used in a variety of homes. It can be carved and cut to give it a modern appearance or left unfinished to give a more traditional look. Stacked stone veneers may also be used to add texture and depth to rooms.

Granite is a popular option for modern surrounds around fireplaces. It's tough and able to withstand heat well. It's also available in a variety of patterns and colors which means it can be used to create various styles of design. Quartzite can be also formed and shaped to match an upscale surround.

If you're a DIYer, installing a concrete fireplace surround could be within your capabilities. Although it might seem like a daunting task however, it could be much easier than you think if you prepare and consult with a professional ensure that the structure is strong enough.

A professional is also recommended when building a marble fireplace surround, as it requires special attention 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 tile for a fireplace surround, you must make sure it's rated for high temperatures. This information is usually located on the label or you can ask a staff member at an improvement store for.

Leaning Frame Surround

The fireplace surround can transform the look of a room. It's not only meant to be aesthetically pleasing but also has a functional purpose, which is to protect the wall behind the fireplace from fire damage and to reflect heat back into the room. It is available in a variety of materials and can be customized to match any style or décor.

Selecting the right material for a leaning frame surround is key to creating an intentional aesthetic. Concrete is a great choice because it's highly durable and non-flammable. It also offers a lot of visual appeal thanks to its natural texture and color. It's typically placed into a mold which allows you to create a unique design for your fireplace surround.

Layers are essential when designing your leaning frames. This makes the piece appear more planned rather than randomly placed. Leaning frames are dangerous, so if you're planning to display heavier objects, such as vases or lamps, place a small piece of rubber drawer liner under the base to 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 to keep it in place. It will also lessen the weight and keep the item from moving while you sip a glass of coffee or wine in the fireplace.

After you've decided on the material, it's time to construct the actual piece. Draw a line on the wall to indicate the dimensions for your surround. Then using a saw cut cleats at each line. Make sure that the cleat on top is at least a foot shorter than the shelf.

Then, attach the brackets to the wall. Make sure the bolts are inserted through the backer board and into a nail. Making the screw holes in advance is necessary if needed. Then put the mantel in a clamp that is temporarily on the backer board. Screw the mantel with bolts for lag (2-4 bolts per stud). Make sure the bolts are long and sturdy enough to cover the full thickness of the backerboard and 2/3 of the mantel's thickness.

Black Firebox Surround

Fireplace surrounds serve as an aesthetic and functional function. They shield walls from heat damage and reflect some of the heat into the room, and can make a fire more of the focal point of the space. Wood and metal are the most popular materials used to construct tabletop fireplace surrounds. Metal surrounds can be required by building code to protect nearby combustible materials or to enhance the appearance of a fireplace.

This fireplace is a contemporary living space with a black surround and white marble accents. The stone is a higher-end material that requires more maintenance than a wooden fireplaces mantel but it adds a dramatic and striking design element to the space. The black finish also ties to the dark hues of the furniture as well as the wood flooring to create a seamless appearance.

While you may associate concrete with sidewalks and driveways, it's actually a very versatile and attractive material for fireplace surrounds. It can be formed into custom shapes and then poured in place, giving nearly limitless designs. The concrete surround was formed into a curved shape. It has modern and sleek appearance that is in contrast to the darker hues of the brick wall and wood flooring.

Wood is another popular choice for fireplace surrounds. It is available in a variety of textures and colors that will match any decor. Wooden surrounds can be finished in any color to match your hearth pad. They are lighter and cheaper than the masonry surrounds. Most wooden surrounds can accommodate decoration for your mantel including lamps and vases.

Certain wood surrounds have a faceplate that covers the mantel's top and houses the fireplace doors. The faceplate can be attached to the mantel using hinges or decorative fasteners that mimic the look of iron.

It is crucial to take into account the height of your fireplace when selecting a wood mantel. To stop a fire from spreading to your home, building codes require minimum clearances. This distance can vary depending on the kind of fireplace you own and also from state state or country country.

Simple Wood Surround

If you'd like your fireplace to have a classic wood look, there are many different types of surrounds available for purchase. Certain surrounds are constructed of solid oak, while others incorporate stone legs with oak or pine mantels. You can also select oak or pine fire surrounds, which are designed to be an affordable and simple option.

Many people choose to purchase a pre-made wood fireplace surround since it's an economical way to achieve the look they want without hiring carpenters. Some pre-made fireplace surrounds made from pine are available in a variety of finishes to match it to your existing decor.

Another popular style of wood fire surround is one that is made by hand using a top quality oak. It can be stained to a light oak color or left untreated to allow the natural light golden brown of the wood to show through. This fireplace surround is suitable for gas or wood burning fires and can be fitted either with a flat or arched opening.

For those of you who have more experience with DIY home improvement projects, there's a wealth of tutorials available online to help you create your own wooden fire surround. This comprehensive step-bystep guide from H2O Bungalow shows you how to make a rustic wood surround using pine.

The tutorial teaches you how to build the horizontal pilasters before building the vertical pilasters that will support the mantel. Once these are completed then you can build the mantel itself. Finally, the tutorial shows you how to attach the crown molding to fill in any gaps between the cladding and the surrounding wall.

It is important to follow the local fire code when installing a wooden surround around a fireplace. You should keep the surround 6 inches from the edge of the opening. It is also crucial to use an adhesive that is non-flammable to attach the decorative molding and ensure that it remains in place when the surround is installed.