Fireplace surrounds are deliberately planned to be the focal point in a room. Your fireplace area may have been perfect in color and style when your home was first built, but you’d like to replace it now to suit your taste and décor. There are several types of surrounds to choose from, which can cause more confusion than having just a few choices. This article narrows your choices down to just two types to consider.
There are two questions to answer before considering your choices.
Is your home recently built and or an older home?
If you are refurbishing a traditional fireplace in an older home, you will want to stick with a traditional fireplace. For example, no amount of renovations will change your old house into a new, contemporary home. Your fireplace can be made brand new, but you will want to keep the traditional or contemporary look of your fireplace.
Are you going to do it yourself or hire a professional?
If you refurbish fireplaces for a living, there is no question you’ll do it yourself. However, it is advised that anyone else hire a professional to do the job. There are many do-it-yourself kits that guarantee you can successfully do the job yourself. However, if you have any doubts at all about your abilities, hire a professional.
We suggest 2 surround kits that can give your fireplace a brand new look whether it’s traditional or contemporary.
Natural Stone
A natural stone surround kit is a wonderful choice for several reasons:
• Currently, one of the most popular choices for upgrading a fireplace
• The most versatile replacement kit because it works equally well in traditional and contemporary homes.
• Is so unique that no two surround kits are exactly the same
• Lasts for many years with little to no maintenance
• Available in a wide variety of textures and colors
• One of the safest materials to use because it’s nonflammable; approved by most building codes; safe to use with vent-free fireplaces
Natural stone surround kits are available in marble and granite. Other products in the marble category are limestone, onyx and travertine.
Wood
Wood surround kits come in many choices of woods and styles. You can choose a very rustic style used in log cabins and country homes or a contemporary design in newer homes. The wood is available in cherry, maple, poplar, maple and oak. You can easily paint or stain poplar wood to match or contrast with your walls.
There are many style including cast stone fireplace surrounds, wood fireplace surrounds, contemporary fireplace surrounds and other fireplace mantel surrounds. They can also be tile, marble, antique, modern granite, concrete or even precast and custom models
Surround kits made of wood are made to order from your measurements. They are designed to provide a distinctive transition from your fireplace facing to the wall.
Your refurbished fireplace surround can cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars. Since your fireplace is the third most important upgrade in the resale value of your home, it would be wise to spend the maximum amount you can afford to improve your fireplace. Hint: Combine a wood surround over a natural stone facing for a stunning effect.