How Do I Choose A Fireplace Surround
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- 07-07-2022
How do I choose a fireplace surround? If you are considering the installation of a fireplace surround, we look at the questions you should be asking.
How to choose the right fireplace surround?
When you are considering a new fireplace and a new fireplace surround for your home, then you need to consider the following:
Size Of Your Fireplace
If your fireplace and the attached surround are too big, they can overpower your room, creating an overbearing feeling.
On the other hand, if your fireplace and surround are too small, then the whole ensemble will make zero impact at all, and the fireplace will feel totally insignificant.
You should also consider the size of your fireplace opening along with the chimney breast.
Where Your Fireplace Is Positioned?
Suppose you are planning on installing a fireplace and a fireplace surround in a room where there is no existing fireplace or chimney. In that case, you need to consider where exactly the fireplace will be installed.
If you are hoping to have a large fireplace surround, then the system should be installed in a place where the structure will not be in anyone's way and won't cause issues with designing the rest of the space.
Style Of Your Room
Not only should the fireplace and surround match the decor and style of your home, but the fireplace and surround should also match each other.
Keep this in mind when planning your fireplace design.
For example, an Edwardian cast iron fireplace would look very much out of place when paired with a very contemporary minimalist surround.
Cost Of Fireplace & Surround
It is important to remember that the materials you choose for your fireplace, as well as the surround, will have an impact on how much the whole system will cost.
For example, wooden surrounds are by far the cheapest option and will usually cost somewhere between £150 to £850. Stone and marble surrounds will cost upwards of around £500, and for a cast iron surround, you can be paying £2000 for a quality piece.
What Are Fireplace Surrounds?
Fireplaces are constructed out of several different components and pieces, and for people that are not super knowledgable about fireplaces, all these technical terms and jargon can be incredibly confusing.
Below is a brief guide to all the separate parts that surround a fireplace. A fireplace surround is the part of the fireplace design that sticks out from the wall and surrounds the opening area of the fireplace.
A fireplace surround is made up of the following components:
Mantel - This is the flat shelf-like surface which sits horizontally across the fireplace opening. This area of the surround is commonly used as a place for decoration. Ornaments and other personal objects are placed on the mantel for display.
Legs - This is extremely straightforward to explain. The legs of the fireplace surround are the two long and vertical pillars which are used to support the fireplace mantel above. In some cases, the legs can be decorated with plinths or corbels. These features will be described in more detail below.
Corbel - A corbel is a block or bracket which extends out from the wall or the legs and is used to support the mantel. Not all fireplace surrounds will feature corbels, but for the surrounds that do, the corbels make an elegant addition to the surround.
Bevel - A bevel, also known as a bevelled edge, is a great stylistic addition to any fireplace surround. Commonly, this term refers to the inner edge of the fireplace surround and the angled transition, which is sometimes added for visual effect. Bevelled edges are not found on all surrounds.
Bolection Moulding - This term is occasionally used to refer to the raised details found all over the surround. Once again, these raised details are not found on every single fireplace surround, but they certainly make a beautiful addition.
Cornice - The cornice is the meticulously ornate ornamental detail that you can find running along the edge of the mantel.
Plinth - This is also referred to as the foot of the fireplace surround. The plinth is the section at the bottom of each surround leg. This section is often enhanced in some way, whether that be with extra adornings, sticking out from the wall more, or being painted differently.
Choose the Right Size Fireplace Surround
This choice is largely down to personal preference, some people want very large and imposing fireplace surrounds in their home.
Others prefer having a smaller and more subtle fireplace surrounds in their front room.
No matter which size you would prefer, the size you can actually have installed is going to be determined by a few specific factors.
The main thing you need to take into account when considering which size of fireplace surround you want to have in your home is the size of your chimney breast.
For example, if your chimney breast is 48" (1220mm) wide, then you do not want to have a fireplace surround with a mantel width of 54" (1370mm).
This would simply look odd and clumsy, as well as not allowing the surround to function in the ways it was built and intended for.
What Material Should You Choose?
Wood
If, for your fireplace surround, you are looking at the maximum input for minimum spend, then you should absolutely choose wood. With options ranging from MDF to mahogany to pine, there is a wooden surround to suit every style and every room. Plus, the best bonus is the pricing.
You can purchase a wooden surround for as low as under £200. Even the most expensive wooden surrounds will only cost around £800. Wood, of course, is also a very versatile material. Wonderful pale tones from wood types such as birch look perfect next to a roaring fire. Whereas other wood types like luxurious mahogany will look great simply as a mantel above your fireplace or just a cosy rustic beam above the fire.
Wooden surrounds are by far the most popular fireplace surrounds worldwide. A huge reason for this is that the surrounds are very easy to fit. You don't necessarily need a specialist. You can just screw the whole piece right into the wall.
Pros
- Inexpensive when compared to other surrounds
- Easily painted and customised to match the room decor
Cons
- The cheapest wooden options can tend to look a little basic
- You need to be careful with wood-burning fireplaces or multi-fuel stoves. Ensure there is a suitable gap between stove and surround to avoid any burning taking place
Stone & Marble Fireplace Surrounds
Stone and marble surrounds are relatively quite expensive compared to other fireplace surrounds. A stone or marble surround will start at around £500 and can cost as much as £5000 or more.
That is a lot of money, but for that price, you are getting the real deal. Real stones in a beautifully crafted formation.
They make a perfect complement to any lounge area or even a bedroom or bathroom. Marble is the most obviously opulent option.
There are many options available such as plain white for a creamy and subtle design. There are also more intricate designs with more vibrant grains, such as rainforest green marble or blue sodalite.
Other stone types are available too. Limestone offers a very understated but sophisticated style.
Slate is another stone type that is becoming more popular in recent years. In the times of the Victorians, slate was considered to be the poor man's marble, nowadays, the natural beauty of the stone is glimmering all over the globe.
Pros
- Wow factor is guaranteed.
- Marble and stone mantels are highly substantial, so unlikely to break even when an accident occurs.
Cons
- Though the materials may be very difficult to break with impacts, under immense heat, the stone can potentially crack. Costing a huge amount to fix.
- Porous stones such as limestone can easily be stained if liquids are dropped onto the surface. This means you must be careful with wine glasses, coffees, and teas.
Cast Iron Fireplace Surrounds
These fireplace surrounds are usually associated with period properties, which means that cast-iron surrounds are very expensive.
Cast iron can cost as high as several thousand pounds depending on when the surround is from and the design moulded into the surround. If you are lucky, then your Victorian-era home may come with one of these fireplaces in place.
Pros
- A cast iron surround can be updated with the appropriate paints to be white, metallic, or a soft pastel colour.
- Tiles set within the cast iron can be replaced to match the rest of the room's decor.
Cons
- If the room's decor is not styled appropriately, then the cast iron surround can look out of place in a modern setting.
- Even a small speck of water falling on cast iron can lead to rust
How Hot Does A Fireplace Surround Get?
The temperature that the fireplace surrounds can get to is dependent on a few factors:
- The type of fireplace, such as a wood-burning stove, gas stove, or electric fireplace.
- The clearance distances between the fireplace surround and the fireplace
- The material that the surround is constructed from
Modern wood-burning stoves can put out a lot more heat than the mostly inefficient open wood-burning fireplaces.
The clearance distances to the fireplace surround will differ depending on where you reside.
Countries and counties can have completely different rules due to differing national codes and building regulations.
Of course, a fireplace surround that is constructed out of metal can get much hotter than a surround which is made from stone.
As a result of the details noted above, it is extremely hard to say in each specific circumstance how hot a fireplace surround can get.
The best advice is to just regularly check your surround once it is installed to check how hot it becomes when the fireplace is running.
Do you have a period fireplace which needs repair or restoration? If you live in the Hastings and East Sussex area, our expert antique fireplace restoration services can help.