7 Simple Tricks To Totally Rocking Your Fireplace Surround
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. But choosing a fireplace surround that complies with the requirements of code and is safe could be a difficult task.
Fortunately, these custom surrounds are constructed using non-combustible material that conforms to the National Fire Code. They can look great in any style home.
Simple Concrete Surround with Marble Slabs
A fireplace surround can be the focal point of a room, and can provide warmth and a sense of style. It can be crafted from a wide range of materials and be designed to fit different styles of design. It is essential to consider the style of the room as well as the budget before choosing a fireplace surround design.
Marble fireplace surrounds give a sophisticated look that complements many different styles of design. They can be combined with woods that are rustic or modern metals to create a unique and contemporary design. Marble is easy to maintain and can withstand high temperatures, making it a great option for a surround.
Stone is a classic material for fireplace surrounds. It offers a timeless appeal that can be found in a variety of homes. It can be carved and cut to give it a modern appearance or left unfinished for a more traditional appearance. Stacked stone veneers are another popular option to add texture and depth to a room.
Granite is a popular option for modern surrounds around fireplaces. It is durable and can stand up to heat well. It is available in many colors and patterns so you can create different designs. Quartzite is another durable option that can be cut and formed to fit into a contemporary fireplace surround.
If you're a DIYer making a fireplace surround made of concrete could be within your capabilities. This project may seem daunting, but it can be more simple than you imagine when you collaborate with an expert and prepare ahead.
A professional is also recommended when building a marble fireplace surround, as it requires special attention to avoid damage. A carpenter with experience will help you avoid costly errors.
If you intend to use tile as an interior fireplace surround, be sure that it is rated for high temperatures. You can typically find this information on the packaging, or ask an employee at a home improvement store.
Leaning Frame Surround
The fireplace surround can transform a room. It's not just meant to look attractive, but also serves a practical purpose, which is to protect the wall behind the fireplace inserts from fire damage and also to help reflect heat away from the room. It's available in various materials and can be customised to suit any style or decor.
The right material is crucial to achieve a definite aesthetic. Concrete is a great option because it's durable, non-flammable, and has a lot visual appeal due to its natural texture and color. It is typically poured in a mold to allow you to choose the possibility of making an original shape.
Layers are essential when creating your leaning frames. This makes the piece appear more planned as opposed to being randomly placed. Leaning frames are dangerous, so if you're planning on displaying heavier objects, such as lamps or vases, put a small piece of rubber drawer liner under the base to prevent them from slipping or damaging surfaces.
If you're using a concrete or marble surround, think about adding wooden boards on the bottom to help keep it in the right place. It will also help in reducing the weight of the piece and stop it from moving while you enjoy a good glass of wine or coffee in front of your fireplace.
After you have chosen the material, it is 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 line. Make sure that the cleat on the top of the shelf is at a minimum a foot shorter.
Then, you can screw the brackets to the wall. Make sure the bolts pass through the backer board, and into a stud. Making the screw holes in advance is recommended if required. After that, temporarily clamp the mantel to the backer board. Screw the mantel with the lag bolts (2-4 bolts per stud). Make sure the bolts are sufficient to cover 2/3 of the mantel's thickness + the thickness of the backer board.
Black Firebox Surround
Fireplace surrounds play a functional and decorative function. They protect walls from damage caused by heat and help deflect some heat back into the room, and can make a fireplace an attraction in a room. The most popular materials for fireplace surrounds are metal and wood. Metal surrounds are sometimes required by building codes to safeguard nearby combustible surfaces or simply to enhance the aesthetic of a fireplace, making it appear more complete.
This fireplace insert is a modern living room that has a black surround and white marble accents. The marble is more expensive and requires more care than wood, yet it is a striking design element to the room. The black finish also brings to the dark hues of the furniture and the wood flooring to create a unified appearance.
While you may think of concrete as sidewalks or driveways, it's actually a very versatile and attractive material for fireplace surrounds. It can be poured into place and then shaped into any shape, offering the user a variety of design options. The concrete surround was formed into a curved shape. It has a sleek and modern look that contrasts the darker shades of the brick wall fireplace and floor.
Another popular material for fireplace surrounds is wood, which is available in a variety of textures and colors to match any style. Wooden surrounds are less heavy and more affordable than masonry surrounds, and they can be finished to match the color of your current hearth pad. The majority of wooden surrounds are designed to hold decorative items for the mantel, including lamps and vases.
Some wood surrounds come with an ornamental faceplate that is placed on top of the mantel and houses the fireplace doors. This plate can be hung with decorative fasteners or hinges that mimic the look of iron.
It is essential to take into consideration the dimensions of your fireplace when choosing a mantel made of wood. Building codes stipulate minimum clearance distances to stop a fire from spreading into the home. This distance will vary based on the type of fireplace used and can vary from the country to the country or state to state.
Simple Wood Surround
There are many options for surrounds to give your fireplace a classic appearance. Some surrounds are made from solid oak, while others combine stone legs with oak or pine mantels. You can also select pine or oak fire surrounds that are designed to be a cost-effective and easy choice.
Many people prefer to purchase a pre-made fireplace surround as it's an affordable way to get the style they want without having to hire carpenters. Some pre-made fireplace surrounds made from pine come in a range of different finishes so that you can blend it with your existing decor.
A handcrafted wood fire surround constructed from top quality oak is also popular. It can be stained with a light oak color or left untreated so that the natural golden brown of the wood fireplace shows through. This fireplace surround is ideal for gas or wood burning fires and is available either with a flat or arched opening.
If you have a bit more experience in DIY home improvement projects, there's a wealth of tutorials on the internet that will assist you in creating your own fire surround from wood. One example is this complete step-by-step tutorial from H2O Bungalow that shows you how to create a rustic-looking wood surround from pine.
The guide explains how to build the horizontal portion of the fireplace surround first, and then how to construct the columns or pilasters vertically that support the mantel. Once these are completed you can put in the mantel itself. The guide will show you how to put up the crown molding, which will cover any gaps between the cladding of the wall and the surrounding wall fires.
It is crucial to adhere to the local fire code when putting in a wooden surround around the fireplace. It is recommended to keep the surround at least 6 inches from the edge of the opening. Use a non-flammable glue join the decorative molding to the surround and make sure it is held in place.