7 Simple Secrets To Completely Enjoying Your Fireplace Surround

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. However, selecting the right fireplace surround that is compliant with standards and is safe can be a challenge.

The custom-built surrounds are constructed of non-combustible materials that adhere to the National Fire Code. They look stunning in any home style.

Simple Concrete Surround with Slabs of Marble

A fireplace surround can be a focal point of the room and can add warmth and charm. It can be made from many different materials and designed to suit a variety of design styles. Before choosing a fireplace design, it’s important that you think about the style and the budget of the space.

Marble fireplace surrounds provide a sophisticated appearance that can be paired with various styles of design. They can be combined with rustic woods and more modern metals to create an unique, contemporary design. Marble is fairly easy to maintain and is able to withstand high temperatures, making it an ideal choice for fireplace surrounds.

Stone is an elegant fireplace surround material that has a timeless appeal and works in many homes. It can be carved and polished to give it a more modern appearance or left unfinished for a more traditional feel. Stacked stone veneers are a popular option to give depth and texture to rooms.

Granite is a very sought-after option for modern surrounds around fireplaces. It’s tough and able to be able to withstand heat well. It also comes in a variety of colors and patterns, which means it can be used to create a variety of styles. Quartzite is another durable option that can be shaped and molded to fit a modern fireplace surround.

If you’re a handyman, installing a concrete fireplace surround may be within your abilities. It may seem like a daunting task, but it can be much simpler than you think if you work with an expert and think ahead.

A professional is also recommended when building a marble fireplace surround, as it requires special attention to avoid damage. A skilled carpenter can help you avoid costly errors.

If you plan to use tile as a fireplace surround, make sure that it is rated for high temperatures. You’ll typically find this information on the packaging or inquire with an employee at a home improvement store.

Leaning Frame Surround

The fireplace surround can transform an area. It’s not just designed to look beautiful, but also serves a practical purpose that is to shield the wall behind the fireplace from damage caused by fire and to reflect heat back into the room. It is available in a variety materials and is customizable to fit any style or design.

The right material is crucial to achieving a deliberate aesthetic. Concrete is a great choice because it’s durable and non-flammable. It also is attractive due to its natural texture and color. It’s usually poured into a mold, giving you the opportunity to create a unique design for your fireplace surround.

Layers are essential when designing your leaning frames. This makes the piece appear more planned and curated rather than being thrown randomly on the shelf or wall. If you are planning to display heavy items such as lamps or vases on frames that lean, put a piece of lining for drawers made of rubber underneath the base. This will prevent them from sliding off or damaging surfaces.

If you’re using a concrete or marble surround, think about adding an oak board at the bottom to keep it in the right place. It will also lessen the weight and stop the item from moving while you enjoy a cup of coffee or wine in the front of your fireplace.

Once you have decided on the material, it’s time to build the actual piece. Draw a line on the wall to indicate the dimensions of your surround. Then, using a saw, cut cleats along each mark. Make sure that the cleat on the top of the shelf is at least a foot shorter.

Attach the brackets to the wall. Make sure the bolts go through the backerboard and into the stud. If necessary, drill the screw holes. After that, temporarily clamp the mantel to the backer board. Screw the mantel with lag bolts (2-4 bolts per stud). Make sure the bolts are sufficient to cover 2/3 of the mantel’s thickness + the thickness of the backer board.

Black Firebox Surround

Fireplace surrounds serve both an aesthetic and a functional function. They shield walls from damage from heat and reflect some of the heat into the room and make a fire more of a focal piece in an area. The most commonly used materials for fireplace surrounds include metal and wood. Metal surrounds can be required by the building code to protect nearby combustible materials or they can enhance the appearance of a fireplace.

The fireplace in this contemporary living space has the black firebox surround, with white marble accents. The stone is more expensive and requires more care than wood, but it provides a striking design feature to the space. The black finish also ties to the dark hues of the furniture and the wood flooring to create a cohesive appearance.

Concrete is not just for driveways and sidewalks. It’s also a beautiful and versatile material that can be used to surround fireplaces. It can be poured into place and formed into any shape, offering the user a variety of design options. This concrete surround was shaped to create a curved design. It has modern and sleek appearance that contrasts the darker shades of the brick wall and wood flooring.

Wood is a different popular material that is used for fireplace surrounds. It comes in a variety of textures and colors that can be incorporated into any style of decor. Wooden surrounds can come in any shade to complement your hearth pad. They are less heavy and cheaper than masonry surrounds. Most wooden surrounds can accommodate decorative items for the mantel, including vases and lamps.

Some wood surrounds include an edging that covers the mantel’s top and houses the fireplace doors. This plate can be attached to the mantel using hinges or decorative fasteners which resemble the appearance of iron.

It is essential to take into consideration the size of your fireplace when choosing a wood mantel. To stop a fire from spreading to your home, building codes specify minimum clearances. The distance will vary based on what type of fireplace you have and also from state to state or country country.

Simple Wood Surround

If you want your fireplace to have a classic wood appearance, there are different kinds of surrounds available for purchase. Some surrounds are made from solid oak, while others combine stone legs with oak or pine mantels. You can also find pine or oak fire surrounds designed to be a simple and affordable alternative.

A lot of people choose to buy a pre-made wooden fireplace surround because it is an affordable way to achieve the look they want without having to pay for the services of carpenters. Some of the premade pine surrounds come with a variety of finishes, so you can blend them into your existing decor.

A handcrafted wood fire surround constructed from top quality oak is also very popular. This can be stained a light oak color or left untreated to ensure that the natural golden brown of wood shows through. This fireplace surround is ideal for wood or gas burning fires and can be fitted either with an arched or flat opening.

If you have more experience in DIY home improvement projects, there are a lot of tutorials on the internet that will help you to make your own fire surround from wood. One example is this complete step-by-step guide from H2O Bungalow that teaches you how to create a rustic inspired wood surround using pine.

The guide explains how to construct the horizontal part of the fireplace surround first, then how to build the columns or pilasters vertically that support the mantel. When the columns or pilasters are finished then you can place your mantel. The tutorial also shows you how to add the crown molding to cover up any gaps between the cladding and surrounding wall.

It is essential to adhere to the local fire code when you install a wooden surround around a fireplace. You should keep the surround at least 6 inches away from the edge of the opening. Use a non-flammable glue attach the decorative molding to the surround and ensure it remains in the proper position.