Choosing Fireplace Surrounds That Match Your Interior Design Style
The right surround for your fireplace can alter the look of the room, whether you have electric fires or wood-burning fireplace. Finding a surround to match the style of your home isn't always easy.
Brick can be used in 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 a very important piece of furniture as it creates a focal point within the room, and also breaks up the wall that could otherwise be empty. In addition, a wooden surround makes it easier to hang holiday decorations. Pine surrounds can be used for wreaths and garlands and can be easily taken down after the holidays.
When selecting a wood fireplace insert surround, it is crucial to select one that is in keeping with the style of your home. Wooden surrounds can be purchased in a variety of styles and finishes to complement any decor from traditional to contemporary. There are also a variety of options in terms of dimensions and design. Some fireplace surrounds are flat and placed directly against the wall. Some are designed as a mantel that is positioned away from the wall.
Oak is the most popular wood used for fireplace surrounds. It is durable and attractive. It is a hard solid wood that is resistant to warping, swelling, and shrinkage. It is also hygroscopic which means it absorbs moisture from air, thereby helping to guard against fungal attack and damage.
Oak veneers and pine are also available as wood fireplace surrounds. Both materials are relatively cheap and are usually sold as complete surrounds that include the hearth and back panels. They can be purchased at many home and DIY stores. They are also commonly sold online by retailers such as Pureglow.
It is essential to remember that a wood surround must be placed at a certain distance from the opening of the firebox for security. This distance is determined in accordance with the fire hazard clearance requirements based on codes or regulations as well as laws in your region.
Stone
A stone fireplace surround can provide a rustic and warm look to your home. It can increase the value of your home because it blends with your interior style but also matches it. A few studies have demonstrated that a fireplace with a good design can help you sell your home faster and for a higher price.
There are many types of stone that can be used to create your fireplace surround, including granite and marble. Both are durable and will last for a long amount of time with minimal maintenance. They are also often cheaper than hardwood.
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/2044/2141/dimplex-zamora-freestanding-optiflame-electric-fire-black-chrome-contemporary-led-flame-effect-fire-with-a-choice-of-coal-or-white-pebble-fuel-bed-with-thermostat-and-adjustable-2kw-heater-2141.jpg)Although natural stone might be slightly more expensive than other materials, it comes with a high quality of durability and beauty that makes it worth the cost. You can choose from a wide range of colors, patterns and textures to create the perfect style for your home. You can also opt to have your fireplace surround custom made with natural stone, which makes it an exclusive design element.
Stone surrounds work well with both wood and gas fireplaces. Stone surrounds resist high temperatures, and do not crack or warp when exposed to temperatures that are high. Furthermore, they are resistant to scratches and stains. Granite, for instance, is one of the most popular and cost-effective options for a fireplace's surround. It is scratch resistant and non-porous. It is also resistant to chemicals that could otherwise damage other surfaces in the home.
One disadvantage of the stone fireplace surround is that it can be difficult to clean. The crevices, as well as the concrete joints between the stones could become a trap for household dirt. It is essential to regularly clean your fireplace to prevent any accumulation that could cause an hazard to fire or health problem.
Marble
Marble is a luxurious stone that transforms any fireplace into an impressive centerpiece. The stunning stone can be used in a range of styles, ranging from modern to traditional, which makes it easy to find the perfect marble surround to go with your interior decor. marble fireplaces (Read More Here) work best in open floor plans, bringing elegance and sophistication to the space while bringing harmony between different zones.
Unlike other materials, marble is impervious to heat, so it won't change color or shrink as the fireplace gets hotter. It also is able to absorb heat, which helps to keep the room warm even after the fire has gone out. Marble comes in a wide variety of colors and finishes, so you're bound to find the ideal option to match your style.
If you choose to install an open fireplace made of marble it is important to pick a color that is in harmony with the other elements of design in the room. White marble looks great with neutral tones and can be combined with wood trim or accent pieces to create a classic style. Darker marbles like the swirls in this house by Tamsin Johnston look great with earthy tones and more relaxed styles.
Be prepared for extra maintenance when you select a fireplace made of marble. Marble is more prone to staining than other materials, and requires regular sealing to preserve its appearance. You will also need to clean the marble regularly to avoid etching and water staining. Fortunately, there are special marble cleaning products available on the market to use however, be sure to test them in an inconspicuous area prior to using them on your marble surround. Granite is an excellent alternative to marble for those who don't want to spend a lot of time on maintenance.
Granite
Granite is another natural stone option that can add an impressive accent to any fireplace. It's a durable stone that is able to withstand high temperatures and wear. This makes it an ideal option for fireplaces. It's also non-combustible. which keeps the area around the ethonal fire safe from ash or other debris that might otherwise fall on the surface and cause damage to it.
You can provide your customers with an array of granite colors for their fireplace surrounds. For a striking design think about black and silvery white swirls that will complement the geometric form of a modern-designed gas fireplace. A marbled granite surround that spans several feet around a fire space can create the perfect focal point for the wall of the traditional space.
Limestone is a non-combustible alternative with a classic look for any home. It is a stone with light browns, creams and grays that can be incorporated into many designs and themes. It is resistant to heat and can resist smoke from burning wood. However, it should be sealed regularly to avoid staining and water penetration.
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/2044/3226/klarstein-bergamo-electric-fireplace-electric-fire-electric-fire-place-2-heating-levels-thermostat-realistic-flame-illusion-independent-led-flame-effect-with-resin-logs-granite-grey-3226.jpg)If your clients want a more cool tone, try Baracuda blue granite. It has oceanic ripples in shades of grey, white, and blue. This granite is amazing next to a glowing fire, and it's also easy to clean to keep the space looking stunning.
Granite is an igneous rock formed from magma. It has superior strength and durability. It's rated seven on the Mohs scale of hardness, meaning that it's extremely difficult to chip or scratch. Unlike other natural stones, which can crack or break easily under pressure granites are able to stand up to a tremendous amount of stress without causing damage. This is the key reason why granite structures can last for hundreds of years.
Steel
A fireplace surround made of steel is a great way to bring modern style to your home. Its neutral look is easy to maintain and blends with many different styles of decor. You can use it as a stand-alone material or mix it with other materials such as wood for a classic style.
A metal surround is also useful to reduce draft issues. It provides a smaller space for combustion, which decreases the amount of heat that escapes the flue. This is particularly beneficial for gas-fuelled fireplaces.
Steel fireplace surrounds come in a variety of styles and finishes. Some of the fireplace surrounds made of steel are brushed and polished for an elegant appearance. Others have a rougher texture that adds an element of contrast to the space. The type of steel that you select will be determined by your style preference and the color scheme you choose for your space.
Certain fireplace surrounds made of steel come with a mantel which can be used to hold decorative objects like pots or even plants. The mantel design can vary but the majority of them have simple or stepped designs to give more dimension to your fireplace.
You can also choose to install a surround only, without mantel. This option is often less expensive and works well for smaller rooms in which a massive surround might be too large for the space.
When installing a new surround it is important to consider the size of the hearth as well as the chimney breast. This will ensure that the surround extends no beyond the front of the hearth, and is a safe distance from the fireplace opening. If you're using a combustible material as your surround then you will need to consider the rules and codes applicable to your area of residence. A professional can give you advice on this.