Choosing Fireplace Surrounds That Match Your Interior Design Style

Whether you have an electric fireplaces or wood burning fireplace, choosing the right surround can make or break the room. The right surround to match your interior style is not always straightforward.

Brick is a great choice for modern, rustic, or farmhouse style homes. And it's a great option for homeowners with a limited budget as it can be painted.

Wood

A wood fireplace surround can be an extremely important piece of furniture as it creates a focal point within the room, and also breaks up a wall which might otherwise be blank. In addition, a wooden surround makes it easier to hang holiday decorations. Pine surrounds can be used to hang wreaths and garlands, and they are easily removed after the holiday season.

It is essential to be in line with the style of your house when choosing a wood surround for your fireplace. Wooden fireplace surrounds can be found in a range of styles and finishes that match any decor from contemporary to traditional. There are a range of options in terms of size and design. For example certain fireplace surrounds are available in a flat style and is to the wall flush, while others are designed to be a mantel and are positioned to be a distance away from it.

The most popular kind of fireplace surround made of wood is oak, and it is recognized as beautiful and durable. It is a dense solid wood that is resistant to warping, swelling, and shrinkage. It is also hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture in the air. This protects against fungus attack and damages.

Oak veneers and pine are also available as wood fireplace surrounds. Both materials are reasonably priced and are often sold as complete surrounds which include the hearth and back panels. These are available from several DIY and home-based stores. They are also commonly sold online by retailers like Pureglow.

When purchasing a wood fireplace surround, it's important to remember that it must be located some distance from the opening of the fireplace to ensure safety. The distance is based on fire hazard clearance requirements, based on codes regulations, laws and regulations for your region.

Stone

A stone fireplace surround is a great way to create a rustic and warm look to your home. It can increase the value of your house, as 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 more money.

You can pick from a variety of stone options for your fireplace surround. These include granite and marble. Both are durable and will last for a long period of time with little maintenance. In addition they are generally less expensive than wood.

Although natural stone might be slightly more expensive than other materials, it provides the highest quality of durability and beauty that makes it worth the cost. You can choose between different shades, patterns, and textures to create a unique design for your home. You can also opt to have your fireplace's surround built with natural stone, creating an exclusive design element.

Stone surrounds are a great choice for gas and wood fireplaces. They can withstand high temperatures and won't shrink or crack when exposed to heat. They also resist stains, scratches and abrasions. Granite, for instance is one of the most popular and affordable options for a fireplace surround. It is scratch-resistant, non-porous and resistant to chemicals that could otherwise damage other surfaces within the home.

A stone fireplaces fireplace surround can be a hassle and time-consuming to clean. The crevices and joints between the stones can become traps for household dirt. It is crucial to keep your fireplace clean to prevent any accumulation that could result in a fire hazard or health hazard.

Marble

Marble is a luxurious, elegant material that turns any fireplace into a stunning feature. Marble surrounds can be found in a variety of styles from traditional to modern. Marble fireplaces are great for open floor plans, introducing elegance and class to the space while providing cohesion between different zones.

Marble is a heat-resistant material and, unlike other materials, it won't change color or become warped when the fireplace gets hotter. It also insulates the heat, which helps keep the room warm even after the fireplace is gone. Marble comes in a variety of finishes and colors so you can find the perfect match to your style.

If you're going with a fireplace made of marble you'll need to select the color that is compatible with other elements of design in the room. White marble is a timeless option for neutral tones. It can be paired up with wood trim and accent pieces to create an elegant style. Darker marbles, like the deep swirls found in this home designed by Tamsin Johnson, can be paired with earth tones and more relaxed styles.

If you decide to go with a fireplace in marble be prepared for additional maintenance. Marble is more prone to staining than other materials and requires regular sealing in order to maintain its appearance. You'll also need to wipe it down regularly to prevent etching and water staining. There are marble cleaners available on the market. But, you must test them in a discreet area before using them to clean your marble surround. Granite is a great alternative to marble when you don't want be a constant maintenance person.

Granite

Granite is natural stone that can be used to add an impressive accent to any fireplace. It's a tough stone that is resistant to wear and tear and stands up to high temperatures, making it a great option for fireplaces. It is also non-combustible, which helps keep the area around the fire safe from ash and other debris that might otherwise fall and damage its surface.

Your customers can pick from a range of granite colors to customize their fireplace surrounds. Think about white and black swirls to complement the geometric shape of a modern gas fireplace. For a different look, a marbled granite surround extending several feet around the frame of a fireplace with wood burning can create a single wall feature in a traditional living area.

Limestone is another non-combustible option with a classic aesthetic for any home. This stone is available in a variety of shades that include light browns as well as creams. It can be used to complement a variety of styles and design themes. It is resistant to heat and is able to withstand the smoke from burning wood, but it is important to remember that limestone needs to be sealed regularly to protect it from staining and water penetration.

If your customers want an icy tone, consider Baracuda blue granite. It has oceanic ripples in shades of white, grey and blue. It looks stunning when placed next to a fire place and is easy to maintain.

Granite is an igneous rock derived from magma. It has superior strength and durability. It's rated as seven on the Mohs scale of hardness, which means that it's extremely difficult to chip or scratch. Contrary to other natural stones which can crack or break easily under stress, granites are able to endure a lot of stress without being damaged. This is the primary reason why granite structures can last for centuries.

Steel

A surround made of steel for your fireplace can be a wonderful feature for any home. Its neutral look works with many types of decor and is incredibly easy to maintain. You can use it alone or in conjunction with other materials such as wood to create a more traditional appearance.

A metal surround is beneficial to prevent draft issues. It creates a more tightly-packed area for combustion that helps reduce the amount of heat that escapes down the flue. This can be especially useful for gas-fuelled cheap fireplaces.

Steel fireplace surrounds are available in a variety of styles and finishes. Some steel fireplace surrounds are polished and brushed for an elegant appearance. Others have rougher textures that add contrast to the room. The type of steel you choose will depend on your style preference and the color scheme chosen for your space.

Some steel fireplace surrounds come with a mantel which can be used to store decorative objects like pots or even plants. The design of the mantel can be different but most come with simple or stepped designs to add dimension to your fireplace.

Alternatively, you can choose to install a surround that does not have mantel. This option is usually less expensive and works best for smaller spaces, where the large surround can overwhelm the space.

When installing a new surround it is crucial to consider the size of the hearth and chimney breast. This will ensure that the surround is not more than the front of the hearth and is at a safe distance from the fireplace opening. If you plan to use a combustible surround, then you'll be required to look into local codes and regulations. A professional can offer advice on this.