About Fireplace Surrounds

Fireplace surrounds are nowadays available in so many varieties that to choose the one for your house becomes a daunting task. This can be even more confusing if the idea of a surround is completely new to you. A 'fireplace surround' is an ornamental construction that surrounds your fireplace to beautify your fireplace. The other purpose of having a fireplace surrounds is for its functionality.

Around the wall where the fireplace is installed, usually noncombustible materials like brick, stone, marble, or granite is used to construct a facing surrounding the fireplace mantel, which is a horizontal shelf having vertical fireplace legs made of a combustible material. This facing has two to three purposes – it provides the requisite fire hazard safety clearances considered necessary, adds to the artistic and appeal of your fireplace, helps fill the gap between fireplace opening and the inside dimensions of the mantel ensure balanced proportions of your fireplace and mantel.

Once you make your mind up to add a surround facing to your fireplace you need to consider many things. A fireplace intended to burn wood or gas you have to consider the amount and sort of ventilation you need to provide to your fireplace based on the local building codes regarding the safety clearances of your fireplace. The material for fireplace surround facings needs to be sufficiently capable of enduring any heat that your fireplace will be producing. Generally, facings are made of brick, slate, granite, stone, or marble as these materials are heat resistant as well as have very aesthetical appeal. For a rustic look, you can use brick, slate, or stone and for grandeur, you should use granite or marble and create the exact ambiance you desire to have in your room.

Installation tips for constructing a facing using slate, marble, and granite slabs ensure that either of them is transported in a vertically upright position and perpendicular to the ground. If transported in prone position these can break under their own weight.

In case of handling fireplace hearths, it is advisable that not less than two people should carry the hearth vertically, and when for laying it out, not less than three people are required to support it properly at both the ends and middle, while laying it in position. In particular, marble can break easily if not provided proper support and should be set down slowly and cautiously. Always be cautious while carrying big of stone facings while handling marble as little as possible.

It is advised to use dense fiberboard to level any unevenness in the floor and subfloor which would otherwise create an unsupported areas that would weaken the slab and make it at risk to cracking and breaking.

Always make use of special adhesives meant for using on stone products that are not water based. Assure proper curing of the adhesive for at least ten days before it is exposed to fire in the fireplace to thwart any fire that would result in much damage and losses.

Lastly, never ever place any flammable objects close to fireplace whether it is the hearth or mantel.

About The Efireplace Place:

The Fireplace Place can help you create the look and style that will be the focal point of your home and provide years of enjoyment. With a wide variety of choices from fireplaces, wood stoves Atlanta, pellet stoves, fireplace inserts and more.