What Type of Stone Is Best for a Fireplace Face?

Fieldstone

• According to Jane Gitlin, author of "Fire Places: A Practical Design Guide to Fireplaces and Stoves Indoors and Out," fieldstone is one of the most popular and longstanding options for fireplace facing. Fieldstones are collected from surface areas or fields and retain their natural shape throughout the quarrying and installation process. Fieldstone is a sturdy, durable facing material for fireplaces, and its local abundance often makes it one of the least expensive options for your fireplace. Because the stones tend to be large and bulky, professional installation by a skilled stone mason is necessary to ensure structural stability. Though fieldstone is an effective heat insulator, the natural color of the stone may be damaged by smoke, so regular cleaning is recommended. Opt for fieldstone if you want your fireplace face to exude a rustic, earthy appeal.

Limestone

• Limestone is a porous sedimentary stone with a high tolerance for heat and high resistance to damage. Builder and writer Tim Carter recommends limestone as an ideal material for fireplace facing due to the availability, low cost and long lifetime of limestone tiling. A tiled limestone fireplace face is a suitable addition to a rustic country home because the porous surface of the stone appears aged or weathered.

Granite

• Granite is the hardest stone available for use as a fireplace face. Jane Gitlin recommends granite as one of the most long-lasting and durable options for fireplace facing. Granite tiles or slabs are available in a wide range of colors and patterns to best suit your style; for a sleek, modern look, opt for dark or mostly black granite tiling, or add a bit of texture to your interior design with distinctive speckled granite. Because of granite's popularity, it can be one of the more expensive tiling options, but the low maintenance and high durability of granite makes it a sound investment for your fireplace face.

Marble

• Few stones have the same elegance and sophistication as marble. Marble is a form of limestone that has been metamorphosed to take on characteristics like higher durability and distinctive veining and markings. The Fireplace Suppliers Register notes that marble is one of the most popular options for fireplace faces due to its high resistance to heat or contact damage as well as its glossy and reflective finish. Marble tiles are often incorporated into fireplaces of high-end homes or hotels, and they are common fixtures in estates or mansions. The high status of marble makes it one of the most expensive options for fireplace facing, but the varied colors and patterns of marble also provide distinction to your fireplace and home.