Choosing a Fireplace Surround

If you're using a fireplace to provide aesthetics or warmth, choosing the best surround will give your living room personality. But choosing a fireplace surround that complies with the requirements of code and is safe could be a daunting task.

Fortunately, these custom-built surrounds are constructed using non-combustible materials and adhere to the National Fire Code. They are a great addition to any style of home.

Simple Concrete Surround with Marble Slabs

A fireplace surround can be a focal point in an area and it can bring warmth and elegance. It can be made from many different materials and designed to fit a variety of design styles. When choosing a fireplace style, it's important that you take into consideration the style and budget of the space.

Marble fireplace surrounds are a classy option that can be paired with a wide variety of styles. They can be paired with rustic woods and more modern metals to create a unique, contemporary look. Marble is fairly easy to maintain and can stand up to high temperatures, making it an ideal choice for fireplace surrounds.

Stone is a classic fireplace surround material that has a timeless look and can be used in a variety of homes. It can be carved and polished to give it a modern look or left untouched to give a more traditional look. Stacked stone veneers are another popular option to add texture and depth 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 is also available in a range of colors and patterns, so it can be used to create various styles of design. Quartzite is a second option that can be shaped and made into a modern fireplace surround.

The installation of a concrete surround for a fireplace may be a possibility for DIYers. Although it might seem like a daunting task, this project can actually be much easier than you think if you plan ahead and collaborate with a professional to ensure that the structure is sturdy enough.

It's recommended to seek out an expert before building a fireplace surround out of marble because it requires special care to avoid damage. A carpenter who has experience can help you avoid costly errors.

If you're planning to use tiles for your fireplace surround, be sure it's approved for high-temperature use. You'll typically find this information on the packaging, or inquire with an employee at a local home improvement store.

Leaning Frame Surround

The fireplace's surround can transform an area. It's not only visually pleasing, but also serves a practical purpose. It shields the wall surrounding the fireplace from deterioration and reflects heat back into the area. It is available in a variety materials and can be adapted for any style or decor.

The right material is crucial for achieving a well-planned aesthetic. Concrete is a great choice due to its durability and non-flammable. It also offers an appealing visual appeal due to its natural texture and color. It's usually poured into a mold, giving you the opportunity to create a unique shape for your fireplace surround.

Layers are crucial when creating your leaning frames. This helps the piece look more planned and curated rather than being thrown randomly on the shelf or wall. If you intend to display heavy objects like vases or lamps on leaning frames, you can place a piece of rubber drawer lining under the base. This will prevent them from sliding or damaging surfaces.

If you're using a concrete or marble surround, consider adding wooden boards on the bottom to help keep it in place. It will also help in reducing the weight of the object and stop it from moving while you enjoy a good cup of coffee or wine on your mantel.

Once you've decided on the material for the frame's leaning surround, it's time to start constructing the actual piece. Mark the wall with the dimensions for your surround. Then using a saw cut cleats along each mark. Make sure that the top cleat of the shelf is at least one foot shorter.

Then, you can screw the brackets to the wall. Make sure that the bolts pass through the backer board, and into the stud. If necessary, drill the screw holes. Then, temporarily clamp the mantel on the backer board. Fix the mantel to studs using the lag bolts (2-4 bolts per stud). Make sure that the bolts are sufficient to cover 2/3 of the mantel's depth + the thickness of the backer board.

Black Firebox Surround

Fireplace surrounds play a functional and decorative role. They protect walls against heat damage and reflect some of the heat back into the room, and can make a fire more of an eye-catching feature in an area. The most popular materials used for fireplace surrounds are wood and steel. Metal surrounds can be required by building codes to guard nearby combustible surfaces or they may simply improve the appearance of a fireplace, making it look complete.

The fireplace in this modern living space features the black firebox surround, with white marble accents. The stone is a premium material that requires more care than a wooden mantel but it is a striking and striking design element to the room. The black finish also ties together the dark tones in the wood flooring and furniture to create an attractive design.

While you might think of concrete as a material for sidewalks and driveways, it's actually a very versatile and attractive material for fireplace surrounds. It can be shaped into custom shapes and then poured into place, providing almost endless design possibilities. The concrete surround has been designed into a curving profile, creating an elegant, modern look that contrasts with the darker shades of the wood floor and brick wall.

Wood is another popular material used for fireplace surrounds. It is available in many colors and textures that will match any style of decor. Wooden surrounds are less heavy and more economical than brick surrounds and can be finished to match the color of your current hearth pad. Most wooden surrounds can accommodate decoration for your mantel, including vases and lamps.

Some wood surrounds include a faceplate that covers the mantel's top and houses the doors to the fireplace. This plate can be affixed with hinges that are decorative or fasteners that can mimic the look of iron wrought.

It is essential 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 may also vary from country to country or from state to state.

Simple Wood Surround

If you'd like your fireplace to have a classic wood look, there are different kinds of surrounds that can be purchased. Some surrounds are made of solid oak, while others combine stone legs with pine or oak mantels. There are also oak or pine fire surrounds that are designed to be a low-cost and easy option.

Many people opt to purchase a pre-made wood fireplace surround since it's an inexpensive method of getting the style they desire without having to pay for the services of carpenters. Some pre-made wood surrounds are available with a variety of finishes, so you can make them fit with your existing decor.

A hand-crafted wood fire surround made from high quality oak is also popular. It can be stained with the light oak color or left untreated to let the natural light golden brown of the wood to shine through. The fireplace surround is suitable for gas or wood fireplaces. It is available in two different styles: arched or flat.

There are a lot of tutorials available online for those who have more experience in DIY home improvement projects. They can help you make your own fireplace surround made of wood. One example is this complete step-by-step guide by H2O Bungalow that teaches you how to make a rustic-looking wood surround using pine.

The tutorial teaches you how to build first the horizontal pilasters, and then the vertical pilasters that support the mantel. Once these are completed then you can build the mantel itself. The tutorial will show how to install the crown molding, which will fill in any gaps between the wall's cladding and the wall that surrounds it.

Because a fireplace surround made of wood is made of combustible materials it is essential that you adhere to the local fire code and keep it at least 6 inches away from the edge of the chimney opening. It is also crucial to use an adhesive that is non-flammable to attach the decorative molding, and to ensure that it stays in place after the surround is put in place.