Choosing a Fireplace Surround
The right surround can add personality to your living room, whether you use it to provide warmth or aesthetics. However, choosing a fireplace surround that complies with standards and is safe can be a difficult task.
The custom-built surrounds are constructed from non-combustible materials and adheres to the National Fire Code. They look stunning in any style of home.
Simple Concrete Surround with Marble Slabs
A fireplace surround can be an important focal point in rooms, and it can bring warmth and charm. It can be crafted from a wide selection of materials and be designed to fit different design styles. It's important to consider the style of the room and the budget before deciding on the design of a fireplace surround.
Marble fireplace surrounds give a sophisticated look that complements various styles of design. 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 temperature making it an ideal option for a surround.
Stone is a popular material for fireplace surrounds and provides a timeless look that can be found in a variety of homes. It can be carved or etched to create a modern look, or left untouched to give it a classic appearance. Stacked stone veneers can also be used to add texture and depth to a room.
Granite is a very popular choice for modern surrounds around fireplaces. It's durable and can stand up to heat well. It's also available in a range of patterns and colors making it a great choice to create a variety of design styles. Quartzite can be also made into a shape and molded to fit the modern design of a surround.
Installing a concrete enclosure for a fireplace could be possible for DIYers. Although it might seem like a daunting task, this project can actually be much easier than you imagine if you plan ahead and work with a professional to ensure that the structure is strong enough.
A professional is also recommended when building a marble fireplace surround because it requires a lot of attention to avoid damage. A skilled carpenter can help you to avoid costly errors.
If you're planning to use tile for your fireplace's surround, ensure it's rated for high-temperature applications. You'll typically find this information on the packaging, or ask an employee at a local home improvement store.
Leaning Frame Surround
The fireplace surround can transform an area. It is not only aesthetically pleasing but it also serves a functional purpose. It shields the wall surrounding the fire place from damage and reflects heat back into the area. It is available in a variety materials and is customizable to fit any style or design.
The right material is essential for achieving a well-planned aesthetic. Concrete is a great option because it is strong and non-flammable. It also has a lot visual appeal due to its natural texture and color. It is typically poured in molds to give you the option of creating a unique shape.
When you design your leaning frame, make sure to add in layers. This makes the frame appear more curated rather than randomly placed. Leaning frames are dangerous and should be avoided if you plan on displaying heavier objects such as lamps or vases, place a small piece of drawer liner made of rubber under the base to prevent them from falling or causing damage to surfaces.
Consider adding a wooden board to the bottom of a concrete or a marble surround. This will help to keep it in the right place. It will also help reduce the weight and stop the item from moving while you enjoy a cup of wine or coffee in the front of your fireplace.
After you have chosen the material, it's time to build the actual piece. Mark the wall with the dimensions of your frame. Then, using a saw, cut cleats along each mark. Make sure that the cleat on top is at least 1 foot longer than the shelf.
Next, screw the brackets onto the wall. Make sure that the bolts go through the backer board and then into a nail. If necessary, pre-drill the screw holes. Then, you can temporarily clamp the mantel to the backer board. Fix the mantel using lag bolts (2-4 bolts per stud). Make sure that the bolts are long and sturdy enough to cover the entire thickness of the backerboard plus 2/3 of the depth of the mantel.
Black Firebox Surround
Fireplace surrounds serve as an aesthetic and functional function. They shield walls from heat damage and reflect heat into the space, and can make a fire more of an eye-catching feature in a space. The most common materials for fireplace surrounds are metal and wood. Metal surrounds can be required by building codes to guard the surrounding areas from combustibles or simply to improve the appearance of a fireplace to make it look more attractive.
This fireplace is a contemporary living room that has a black surround and white marble accents. The stone is more expensive and requires more maintenance than wood, but it adds an eye-catching design aspect to the room. The black finish also blends with the dark tones of the furniture and wood flooring to create a cohesive appearance.
Concrete isn't just used for driveways and sidewalks. It's also a versatile and attractive material that can be used to surround fireplaces. It can be cut into custom shapes and poured into place, providing nearly limitless design possibilities. This concrete surround has been designed into a curving profile which gives it an elegant, modern appearance that contrasts with the darker shades of the wood floor and brick wall.
Another popular material for fireplace surrounds is wooden, that is available in a variety of textures and colors to match any style. Wooden surrounds can come in any shade to match your hearth pad. They are less heavy and more affordable than brick surrounds. Most wooden surrounds are designed to accommodate household decorations above the mantel, such as lamps and vases.
Some wood surrounds come with a faceplate that is placed on top of the mantel and houses the fireplace doors. This plate can be attached to the mantel with hinges or decorative fasteners that resemble the look of iron.
When choosing a mantel made of wood or a fireplace surround made of metal, it is important to think about the height of your chimney. Building codes stipulate minimum clearance distances to stop a fire from spreading into the home. This distance will vary depending on the type of fireplace and can vary from country to country or from state to state.
Simple Wood Surround
If you want your fireplace to have a classic wood look, there are many different types of surrounds that can be purchased. Certain surrounds are constructed of solid oak, while others incorporate stone legs with pine or oak mantels. You can also find pine or oak fire surrounds designed to be a cheap and simple alternative.
A lot of people opt to buy a pre-made wooden fireplace surround since it's an affordable way to achieve the look that they want without the expense of the services of a carpenter. Some of the pre-made fireplace surrounds made from pine are even available in a variety of finishes so that you can match it to your existing decor.
A hand-crafted wood fire surround made from high quality oak is also very popular. This can be stained an oak-like light color or left untreated to ensure that the natural golden brown of wood is visible. The fireplace surround can be used with either gas or wood fires. It is available in two styles: flat or arched.
There are many tutorials available online for those with more experience with DIY home improvement projects. They can help you make your own wooden fireplace surround. This comprehensive step-bystep guide from H2O Bungalow shows how to build a rustic wood surround using pine.
The guide explains how to construct the horizontal part of the fireplace surround first, and then how to build the columns or pilasters vertically that support the mantel. Once these are complete you can put in the mantel itself. Then, the guide shows you how to add the crown molding that will be used to fill in any gaps between the cladding and the wall.
It is crucial to adhere to the local fire code when installing a wooden surround around the fireplace. You should keep the surround at least 6 inches away from the edge of the opening. Use a non-flammable glue attach the decorative molding to the surround and make sure it stays in the correct position.