Choosing a Fireplace Surround

The right surround can add personality to your living room regardless of whether you are using it to provide warmth or aesthetics. But choosing the right fireplace surround that is compliant with code and is safe can be a daunting task.

These custom-built surrounds are built from non-combustible material that adheres to the National Fire Code. They can look great in any style home.

Simple Concrete Surround with Marble Slabs

A fireplace surround can be a focal point of the room and can bring warmth and elegance. It is made with a selection of materials and be designed to match different styles of design. Before you decide on a fireplace design, it's important that you consider the design and biofireplace budget of the room.

Marble fireplace surrounds provide an elegant look that is compatible with a variety of design styles. They can be paired with rustic woods or more modern metals to create a unique and contemporary design. Marble is relatively easy to maintain and is able to withstand high temperatures, making it a great choice for a fireplace surround.

Stone is a popular material for fireplace surrounds and offers a timeless appeal that works in many homes. It can be carved and etched to give it a more contemporary style or left untreated for a more traditional appearance. Stacked stone veneers are a popular option that can be used to give texture and depth to rooms.

Granite is a popular option for modern surrounds around fireplaces. It's tough and able to be able to withstand heat well. It comes in a variety of patterns and colors making it possible to create a variety of design styles. Quartzite is a different, durable material that can be cut and molded to fit a modern fireplace surround.

Installing a concrete enclosure for a fireplace could be a possibility for DIYers. It may seem like a daunting task but it's more simple than you imagine working with professionals and think ahead.

A professional is also recommended when building a marble fireplaces fireplace surround because it requires a lot of attention to avoid damage. A skilled carpenter can help you avoid making mistakes that could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs.

If you are planning to use tile as an interior fireplace surround, be sure that it is rated for high temperatures. This information is usually located on the packaging or ask a staff member at a home improvement shop.

Leaning Frame Surround

The freestanding fireplace surround can completely transform a room. It's not only meant to be aesthetically pleasing but also has a functional function that is to safeguard the wall behind the fireplace from damage caused by electric fire and deflect heat away from the room. It's available in a variety of materials and can be customised to match any style or biofireplace decor.

The right choice of material is crucial to achieve a definite aesthetic. Concrete is an excellent choice due to its durability and non-flammable. It also has lots of visual appeal thanks to its natural texture and color. It is usually poured in molds that give you the possibility of making unique shapes.

Layers are essential when designing your leaning frames. This makes the frame appear more organized rather than randomly placed. If you plan to display heavy objects such as vases or lamps on leaning frames, you can place a piece of rubber drawer lining under the base. This will prevent them from sliding and damaging surfaces.

If you're using a concrete or marble surround, you might want to consider putting a wooden board on the bottom to keep it in position. It will also help in reducing the weight of the object and stop it from moving when you're enjoying a nice cup of coffee or wine 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 use a saw to cut cleats on each of these points. Make sure that the top cleat of the shelf is at least one foot shorter.

Screw the brackets on the wall. Make sure the bolts are inserted through the backer board, and into a wall stud. Making the screw holes in advance is required if you need to. After that, clamp the mantel to the backer board. Fix the mantel to studs using lag bolts (2-4 bolts per stud). Make sure the bolts are strong and long enough to cover the thickness of the backerboard, plus 2/3 of the mantel's depth.

Black Firebox Surround

Fireplace surrounds play a useful and decorative role. They shield walls from damage from heat and reflect heat into the space, and can make a fireplace an eye-catching feature in an area. The most popular materials for fireplace surrounds include wood and steel. Metal surrounds can be required by building codes to safeguard the surrounding areas from combustibles or they can simply enhance the look of a fireplace, making it look complete.

This fireplace is a modern living space with a black surround and white marble accents. The stone is more expensive and requires more maintenance than wood, but it provides a striking design feature to the space. The black finish also brings together the dark tones of the furniture and wood flooring for an attractive design.

While you may associate concrete with sidewalks and driveways, it is actually a very versatile and attractive material for fireplace inserts surrounds. It can be poured into place and then shaped into any shape, offering you almost limitless design possibilities. The concrete surround was formed into a curved shape. It gives an elegant and contemporary look that contrasts the darker shades of the brick wall and wood floor.

Wood is another popular material used for fireplace surrounds. It is available in many colors and textures that will complement any decor. Wooden surrounds are lighter and more affordable than masonry surrounds and they can be made to match the color of your current hearth pad. The majority of wooden surrounds are designed to hold household decorations above the mantel, such as lamps and vase.

Certain wood surrounds come with faceplates that cover the top of the mantel and houses doors for fireplaces. This plate can be affixed with hinges that are decorative or fasteners that can mimic the look of wrought iron.

It is important to consider the height of your fireplace when choosing a mantel made of wood. To avoid a fire spreading to your home, building codes specify minimum clearances. This distance will vary based on the type of fireplace and can also change from country to country or from state to state.

Simple Wood Surround

There are many options available for surrounds if you want to give your fireplace a classic look. Some surrounds are entirely solid oak and others have various materials like stone legs, paired with mantels made of oak or pine. You can also find oak or pine fireplace surrounds that are designed to be a cheap and simple alternative.

A lot of people opt to buy a pre-made wooden fireplace surround because it is an affordable way to achieve the look that they want without the expense of the services of carpenters. Some pre-made fireplace surrounds made from pine are even available in a range of different finishes so that you can make it a part of 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 in a light oak hue or left untreated so that the natural golden brown of wood is visible. This fireplace surround is suitable for gas or wood burning fires and is available 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 wood fire surround. This step-by-step guide from H2O Bungalow shows how to build an attractive wood surround with pine.

The tutorial shows you how to build the horizontal pilasters and then the vertical pilasters which support the mantel. After these are built then you can build the mantel itself. The guide will show you how to put up the crown molding, which will cover any gaps between the cladding of the wall and the wall that surrounds it.

Because a fireplace surround made of wood is constructed from combustible material it is crucial to adhere to the fire codes of your area and keep it at least 6 inches away from the edge of the chimney opening. It is also essential to use a non-flammable adhesive to secure the decorative molding and make sure that it stays in place after the surround is set.