Choosing a Fireplace Surround
The right surround can add personality to your living area and can be used for warmth or for aesthetics. But choosing the right fireplace surround that is compliant with standards and is safe can be a difficult task.
These custom-built surrounds are made of non-combustible materials that adhere to the National Fire Code. They look fantastic in any style of home.
Simple Concrete Surround with Slabs of Marble
A fireplace surround can be a focal point in the room and can provide warmth and a sense of style. It is made of various materials and designed to fit different styles of design. Before you decide on a fireplace design, it’s important that you take into consideration the style and budget of the space.
Marble fireplace surrounds are an elegant option that can be paired with a wide variety of styles. They can be combined with rustic woods as well as modern metals to create a unique, contemporary look. Marble is easy to maintain, and can withstand high temperatures making it an ideal option for a surround.
Stone is an elegant fireplace surround material that has a timeless appeal and can be used in a variety of homes. It can be carved or etched for a modern look, or left untouched to give it a traditional appearance. 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 very popular choice for modern surrounds around fireplaces. It’s durable and can be able to withstand heat well. It also comes in a range of patterns and colors making it a great choice to create various styles of design. Quartzite is another durable option that can be shaped and molded to fit a modern fireplace surround.
Installing a concrete enclosure for a fireplace could be possible for DIYers. This task may seem daunting, but it can be more simple than you imagine working with an expert and plan ahead.
It’s recommended to seek out an expert when making a fireplace surround of marble since it requires special care to prevent damage. A carpenter who has experience can help you to avoid costly errors.
If you plan to use tiles as an interior fireplace surround, be sure it’s rated for high temperatures. This information is typically found on the package, or you can ask an employee in a home improvement shop.
Leaning Frame Surround
The fireplace surround can transform an area. It’s not just designed to be aesthetically pleasing but also serves a practical purpose that is to shield the wall behind the fireplace from fire damage and also to help reflect heat away from the room. It is available in a variety materials and can be customized to fit any style or design.
The right material is essential to achieve a definite aesthetic. Concrete is a good choice because it’s highly durable and non-flammable. It also offers a lot of visual appeal thanks to its natural texture and color. Concrete is typically poured into molds to give you the option of creating an original shape.
When designing your leaning frame, be sure to add layers. This makes the frame appear more curated as opposed to being randomly placed. If you are planning to display heavy objects like vases or lamps on frames that lean, put a piece of lining for a drawer made of rubber under the base. This will stop them from sliding and damaging surfaces.
If you’re using a concrete or marble surround, consider adding wooden boards on the bottom to keep it in position. It will also help to reduce the weight of the piece and prevent it from moving while you enjoy a good glass of wine or a cup of coffee in front of your mantel.
After you’ve decided on the material, it’s time to construct the piece. Mark the wall using the dimensions for your surround. Then with a saw, cut cleats at each mark. Ensure that the top cleat is at least a foot shorter than the shelf.
Attach the brackets to the wall. Make sure the bolts go through the backerboard and into the stud. The pre-drilling of the screw holes is required if you need to. Then, Wood fireplace temporarily clamp the mantel on the backer board. Attach the mantel using the lag bolts (2-4 bolts per stud). Make sure that the bolts are long enough to cover 2/3 of the mantel depth plus the thickness of the backer board.
Black Firebox Surround
Fireplace surrounds play a useful and decorative function. They protect walls from damage caused by heat and help deflect some heat back into the room and can create a fireplace that is an eye-catching feature in a room. The most commonly used materials for fireplace surrounds include metal and wood. Metal surrounds are sometimes required by building codes to safeguard nearby combustible areas or they may simply enhance the aesthetic of a fireplace to make it look complete.
The fireplace in this modern living space has an all-black firebox with white fireplace marble accents. The marble is more expensive and requires more care than wood, yet it adds an eye-catching design feature to the space. The black finish also blends to the dark hues of the furniture and wood fireplaces flooring to create a seamless appearance.
Concrete isn’t just for sidewalks and driveways. It’s also a beautiful and versatile material that can be used to surround fireplaces. It can be formed into custom shapes and then poured in place, giving nearly limitless design options. This concrete surround was cut into a curved shape. It has modern and sleek appearance that contrasts the darker shades of the brick wall and wood flooring.
Wood is another popular choice for fireplace surrounds. It is available in a variety of textures and colors that can be incorporated into any style of decor. Wooden surrounds are less heavy and more affordable than masonry surrounds and they can be finished to match the color of your existing hearth pad. Most wooden surrounds can accommodate decoration for your mantel, such as lamps and vases.
Certain wood surrounds have an ornamental faceplate that covers the mantel’s top and houses the fireplace doors. This plate can be hung with decorative fasteners or hinges that resemble the look of iron.
It is essential to take into consideration the size of your fireplace when selecting the wood mantel. To prevent a fire spreading to your home, building codes require minimum clearances. This distance may vary based on the type of fireplace you have and also from state state or country country.
Simple Wood Surround
If you want your fireplace to have a classic wood appearance, there are different kinds of surrounds that you can purchase. Some surrounds are entirely solid oak and others have various materials like stone legs, paired with mantels made of oak or pine. You can also find pine or oak fire surrounds that are designed to be a cheap and simple option.
Many people prefer to purchase a pre-made fireplace surround as it’s a cost-effective way to achieve the look they want without hiring carpenters. Certain pre-made pine fireplace surrounds are 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 very popular. It can be stained with a light oak colour or left untreated to allow the natural golden brown of the wood to shine through. The fireplace surround is suitable for gas or wood fireplaces. It comes in two styles: arched or flat.
There are numerous tutorials online for those who have more experience in DIY home improvement projects. They can help you make your own wooden fireplace surround. This step-by-step tutorial from H2O Bungalow shows you how to create an attractive wood surround with 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. Once these are completed then you can build the mantel itself. The guide will show you how to install the crown molding, which will fill in any gaps between the wall’s cladding and the surrounding wall.
Because a fireplace surround made of wood is made from combustible material, it is important that you adhere to your local fire code and keep it 6 inches from the edge of the chimney opening. Use a non-flammable glue join the decorative molding to the surround and ensure it is held in the proper position.