Traditional Fireplace Surrounds

Function

• From the earliest days of fireplaces, the surround has had a number of functions. Its primary function is to protect the surrounding walls from fire, smoke and soot from the fireplace. Early fireplace surrounds had hooks and small shelves built in to the surround to hold the cooking utensils used in cooking over the open fire. A well-constructed surround also serves to retain heat in the fireplace, making it a more efficient heat source.

Types

• Fireplace surrounds come in a variety of types. Some require elaborate craftsmanship to install, such as those made from hand-set stone or brick and completed with elaborately carved wooden mantels. Other fireplace surrounds are available as prebuilt packages. Installation is as simple as sliding the fireplace surround in place and securing it.

Features

• With the growing popularity of flat-screen televisions, many people are making the fireplace part of their entertainment center. Fireplace surround manufacturers are responding to that growing demand by making new surround options that extend the mantel's style above the mantel shelf to include a niche for the television's installation.

Size

• Obviously the surround needs to fit the fireplace. A fireplace surround should complement the fireplace and the room's décor, not overwhelm it. If the wall is small, a simple fireplace surround can make more of a decorating statement. Balance a large fireplace with an appropriately sized fireplace surround. The color of the stone or tile in the surround along with the wood in the mantelpiece can also affect the appearance of the surround and whether it balances the dimension of the fireplace.

Considerations

• Costs of fireplace surrounds vary greatly depending on the style and type. The amount of labor involved in the installation of the surround and fireplace mantel should also be part of the cost. Customizing the fireplace surround in any way also adds to the cost. The overall décor of the room, especially the color scheme of the room, is an important consideration when buying a fireplace surround. An elaborate fireplace surround would be out of place in a simply decorated room.