Choosing a Fireplace Surround
The right surround can add personality to your living area, whether you use it for warmth or to enhance your aesthetics. It isn’t easy to select a fireplace surround that is both safe and compliant with the code.
The custom-built surrounds are constructed from non-combustible material that adheres to the National Fire Code. They are a great addition to any style 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 constructed from a variety of materials, and crafted to match various styles of design. Before you decide on a fireplace design it is essential to take into consideration the design and budget of the space.
Marble fireplace surrounds are an elegant option that can be paired with a vast range of design styles. They can be combined with rustic woods and modern metals to create a unique, contemporary look. Marble is fairly easy to maintain and can stand up to high temperatures, making it a great choice for a fireplace surround.
Stone is an elegant fireplace surround material that has a timeless look and works in many homes. It can be carved or etched to create contemporary appearance or left unfinished to give it a classic look. Stacked stone veneers are a popular option to give texture and depth to the interior of a room.
Granite is a popular choice for modern fireplace surrounds because it’s strong and resistant to heat very well. It is also available in a range of patterns and colors, so it can be used to create a variety of design styles. Quartzite is a different, durable material that can be shaped and formed to fit into a contemporary fireplace surround.
If you’re a handyman, installing a concrete fireplace surround might be within your capabilities. This task may seem daunting, but it can be more simple than you imagine working with professionals and think ahead.
It’s recommended to consult with a professional when making a fireplace surround of marble because it requires special attention to avoid damage. A carpenter with experience can help you to avoid costly mistakes.
If you’re going to use tiles for your fireplace surround, ensure it’s suitable for high-temperature uses. You can typically find this information on the packaging or ask an employee at a local home improvement store.
Leaning Frame Surround
The fireplace surround is a vital design element that can completely transform the entire space. It’s not only meant to look beautiful, but also serves a practical function that is to safeguard the wall behind the fireplace from damage caused by fire and also to help reflect heat away from the room. It’s available in various materials and can be customized to match any style or design.
The right material is crucial to achieving a deliberate aesthetic. Concrete is an excellent choice because it’s highly durable and non-flammable. It also has an appealing visual appeal thanks to its natural texture and color. Concrete is typically poured into molds that give you the option of creating a unique shape.
When you design your leaning frame, be sure to add in layers. This makes the piece appear more curated than if it were just randomly placed. If you plan to display heavy objects like lamps or vases on leaning frames, place a piece of lining for a drawer made of rubber under the base. This will stop them from sliding off or damaging surfaces.
You could consider adding a wooden piece to the bottom of a concrete or a marble surround. This will help keep it in place. It can also help reduce the weight of the item and prevent it from shifting while you enjoy a good glass of wine or coffee in front of your mantel.
After you have chosen the material, it’s time to construct the piece. Draw a line on the wall to indicate the dimensions for 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.
Next, screw the brackets to the wall. Make sure the bolts are inserted through the backerboard and into the stud. If needed, drill the screw holes. After that, temporarily fix the mantel to the backer board. Screw the mantel with bolts for lag (2-4 bolts per stud). Make sure the bolts are long enough to cover 2/3 of the mantel depth + the thickness of the backer board.
Black Firebox Surround
Fireplace surrounds serve both a decorative and functional purpose. They protect walls from heat damage, deflect some of the heat back into the room, and can make a fireplace a focal point in a room. Metal and wood are the most commonly used materials used to construct fireplace surrounds. Metal surrounds are required by the building code to protect nearby combustible materials or they can enhance the look of a fireplace.
This fireplace is modern living room with an all-black surround and white marble accents. The marble is more expensive and requires more maintenance than wood, yet it is a striking design element to the space. The black finish also blends in the dark shades of the furniture and wood flooring to create a unified appearance.
Concrete isn’t just used for sidewalks and driveways. It’s also a beautiful and versatile material that can be used to cover fireplaces. It can be formed into a variety of shapes and then poured in place, giving nearly limitless designs. The concrete surround has been designed into a curved shape giving it a sleek, modern look that contrasts with the darker hues of the wood floor and brick wall.
Wood is another popular choice for fireplace surrounds. It comes in a variety of colors and textures that will complement any decor scheme. Wooden surrounds can be finished in any shade to match your hearth pad. They are lighter and more affordable than masonry surrounds. Most wooden surrounds can accommodate decoration for your mantel, including vases and lamps.
Certain wood surrounds come with a faceplate which covers the mantel’s top and houses doors for fireplaces. This plate can be hung to the mantel using hinges or decorative fasteners that mimic the look of iron.
When selecting a wood mantel or a fireplace surround made of metal It is crucial to think about the height of your chimney. To stop a fire from spreading to your home, building codes require minimum clearances. This distance can vary depending on the kind of fireplace you own and also from state to state or country to country.
Simple Wood Surround
If you want your fireplace to have a traditional wood appearance, there are different kinds of surrounds that you can purchase. Certain surrounds are constructed of solid oak, while others include stone legs with oak or pine mantels. You can also select oak or pine fire surrounds which are designed to be an affordable and easy choice.
A lot of people opt to buy a pre-made wooden fireplace surround as this is an affordable way to achieve the style they desire without the expense of the services of a carpenter. Some pre-made pine surrounds come in a variety of finishes and colors, allowing you to match them to your existing decor.
Another popular type of wood fire surround is one that is made by hand using a top quality oak. It can be stained to in a light oak hue or left untreated to ensure that the natural golden brown of the wood is visible. This fireplace suites surround is suitable for wood or gas-burning fires and is available either with a flat or arched opening.
For those of you who have a bit more experience in DIY home improvement projects, there’s a wealth of tutorials online that can help you create your own wood fire surround. One example is this comprehensive step-by-step guide by H2O Bungalow that teaches you how to construct an authentic wood surround from pine.
The tutorial will show you how to construct the horizontal portion of the fireplace surround first. Then, you will learn how to construct the vertical pilasters or columns that support the mantel. After the columns or pilasters are finished, you can install your mantel. The tutorial will show how to put up the crown molding, which will cover any gaps between the wall’s cladding and the surrounding wall.
It is important to follow the local fire code when putting in a wooden surround around a fireplace. It is recommended to keep the surround at least 6 inches from the edge of the opening. It is also crucial to use a non-flammable glue to attach the decorative molding and make sure that it stays in place after the surround is installed.