17 Reasons Not To Avoid Fireplace Surround
Choosing a Fireplace Surround
The best surround can add a sense of style to your living room, whether you use it to provide warmth or aesthetics. It can be difficult to choose a fireplace surround that is both safe and compliant with the code.
These custom-built surrounds are built of non-combustible materials that adhere to the National Fire Code. They look fantastic in any style of home.
Simple Concrete Surround with Marble Slabs
A fireplace surround can be a focal point in a room and it can bring warmth and elegance. It can be crafted using a range of materials and be designed to match different styles of design. 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 look that complements a variety of design styles. They can be combined with rustic woods and more modern metals to create a unique, contemporary design. Marble is relatively easy to maintain and is able to withstand high temperatures, which makes it a great choice for a fireplace surround.
Stone is an elegant fireplace surround material that has a timeless look and is suitable for many homes. It can be carved or etched to create contemporary appearance or left unfinished to give it a traditional look. Stacked stone veneers are another popular option that can be used to give texture and depth to the interior of a room.
Granite is a popular choice for modern surrounds around electric fireplaces. It's durable and can withstand heat well. It is available in many colors and patterns so you can create different design styles. Quartzite is a different, durable material that can be shaped and molded to fit a modern fireplace surround.
The installation of a concrete surround for a fireplace may be feasible for DIYers. Although it may seem difficult, this project can actually be simpler than you imagine if you plan ahead and consult with a professional ensure that the structure is strong enough.
A professional is also recommended when building a marble fireplace surround, as it requires special attention to avoid damage. A skilled carpenter will help you avoid making mistakes that could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs.
If you're going to use tiles for your fireplace surround, be sure it's rated for high-temperature applications. This information is usually located on the label or inquire with an employee at a home improvement shop.
Leaning Frame Surround
The fireplace's surround can transform an area. It's not just meant to look beautiful, but also has a functional purpose that is to shield the wall behind the fireplace from damage caused by fire and to reflect heat away from the room. It's available in various materials and can be customised to suit any style or design.
The right material is essential for achieving a well-planned aesthetic. Concrete is a great option because it is durable, non-flammable, and has a lot visual appeal due to its natural texture and color. It's usually placed into a mold giving you the ability to design a unique shape for your fireplace surround.
When you design your leaning frame, be sure to include layers. This makes the piece appear deliberate and thoughtful instead of being randomly placed on the shelf or wall. Leaning frames can be dangerous If you're planning on displaying heavier objects such as vases or lamps, place a small piece of rubber drawer liner underneath the base to prevent them from falling or causing damage to surfaces.
If you're using a marble or concrete surround, consider adding an oak board at the bottom to help keep it in place. It can also reduce the weight and keep the object from shifting while you sip a glass of wine or coffee in front of your fireplace.
Once you've decided on the material you'll use for your leaning frame surround then it's time to begin constructing the actual piece. First, mark the wall you're building with the dimensions of your frame and use a saw to cut cleats along each of these points. Make sure the top cleat is at least a foot shorter than the shelf.
Fix the brackets to the wall. Make sure that the bolts go through the backerboard and into the stud. Pre-drilling the screw holes is recommended if required. Then, temporarily clamp the mantel on the backer board. Fix the mantel using bolts for lag (2-4 bolts per stud). Be 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 damage from heat and reflect heat into the space, and can make a fire more of a focal piece in the space. Metal and wood are the most popular materials used to construct fireplace surrounds. Metal surrounds can be required by building codes to guard nearby combustible areas or they may simply enhance the aesthetic of a fireplace electric, making it look complete.
This fireplace is a modern living room that has an all-black surround and white marble accents. The marble is more expensive and requires more care than wood, however it provides a striking design element to the room. The black finish also ties with the dark tones of the furniture and wood flooring to create a seamless appearance.
While you might think of concrete as sidewalks or driveways, it is a very flexible and attractive material for fireplace surrounds. It can be poured into place and then shaped into any shape, offering you a wide range of design possibilities. The concrete surround has been shaped into a curved shape giving it 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 a variety of colors and textures that will match any decor. Wooden surrounds are lighter and more economical 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 accommodate ornaments for the mantel, such as lamps and vases.
Certain wood surrounds have an edging that covers the top of the mantel and houses the fireplace doors. This plate can be fixed using decorative hinges or fasteners that can mimic the appearance of iron wrought.
It is important to take into consideration the height of your fireplace when choosing a wood mantel. To stop a fire from spreading into your home, building codes require minimum clearances. This distance will vary depending on the type of fireplace used and can also change from country to country or from state to state.
Simple Wood Surround
There are many options available for surrounds to give your fireplace a traditional look. Some surrounds are made from solid oak, while others incorporate stone legs with pine or oak mantels. You can also find pine or oak fire surrounds that are designed to be a low-cost and easy alternative.
Many people opt to purchase a pre-made wood fireplace surround since it's an inexpensive method of getting the look they want without the expense of the services of carpenters. Some of the pre-made fireplace stove surrounds made from pine are even available in a variety of finishes to match it to 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 a light oak color or left untreated, allowing the natural golden brown of the wood to shine through. This fireplace surround is ideal for wood or gas-burning fires and can be fitted either with an arched or flat opening.
For those of you who have more experience in DIY home improvement projects, there are plenty of tutorials available online to help you to make your own wood fire surround. This step-by-step guide from H2O Bungalow will show how to build an authentic wood surround made of pine.
The guide explains how to construct the horizontal part of the fireplace surround first. Then, you will learn how to construct the columns or pilasters vertically that support the mantel. When the columns or pilasters are completed, you can install your mantel. The tutorial will show how to install the crown molding, which will cover any gaps between the wall's cladding and the surrounding wall.
Since a wooden fireplace surround is constructed from combustible material it is crucial that you adhere to the local fire code and keep it 6 inches away from the edge of the chimney opening. It is also essential to use an adhesive that is non-flammable to secure the decorative molding and make sure that it remains in place after the surround is set.