The Fireplace Surround
Did you know that any fire, enclosed within any kind of architecture, becomes domesticated? Well, you do NOW!
What is the best material for a fireplace surround?
Here are 6 Different Materials To Use For A Fireplace Surround:
- STEEL
- WOOD
- CONCRETE
- STONE
- BRICK
- TILE
So What Is The Best Natural Stone For Fireplaces?
Well, there are different types of stone…
While you could choose for just about any natural material, without going silly….
Stone for your fireplace category is what we are looking at here, there are some options that you can’t really go past, and that is ‘Limestone’ and ‘Soapstone’.
They are clean looking and simple in design, getting a more modern feel to a more polished-looking fireplace.
If you want to go for the more rustic feel then you need to have a look at the slate, fits in the natural stone for fireplaces, and it’s incredibly durable with a rustic vibe that will take you back to the days of Dicken’s.
How Much Does A Stone Fireplace Cost You Might Ask?
Well, ask away!
Ahhh…
A Stone Fireplace average cost.
A national cost for your average stone fireplace installation will set you back about $3,000 to $5,000.
But! if you’re looking for an authentic masonry fireplace constructed by a stone craftsman.
Now your talking….
You could be putting your hands in deep into your pockets getting on to $10,000 or more, depending on where you live of course.
You will need to get a quote from a stone craftsman near you.
Longevity Of Natural Stone For Fireplaces
As you probably know, natural stone is one of the world’s oldest building materials apart from wood.
And it’s so long-lasting you won’t have to worry about replacing it.
Just look at all the ancient buildings if you are fortunate enough to be around some in your area or just look around the world.
The buildings have stood the test of time.
No other dwellings have stood till today, built hundreds of years ago as much as the stone has.
Stone survives while other materials just fade away and rot back to the earth.
Have you seen the stone surfaces that have lasted many lifetimes without losing their natural lustre, while other stones like limestone for instance; being more porous, weather naturally and beautifully I may add over time?
What Is The Most Heat Resistant Stone?
If for some reason you do want to know the question as to what is the most heat resistant stone, then Granite is often thought of as virtually indestructible, that it can last a lifetime with the proper care you give it of course.
Don’t go moving heavy furniture knocking into it, or generally being destructive.
This type of natural stone is excellent at being heat resistant, especially when compared to butcher block or marble, but this doesn’t mean it’s impervious to heat damage, so don’t go testing it to find out.
Then say a big YES!
When you find out – once damaged, you then say a big DAM!
Natural stone retains heat better than just about anything out there, it’s practically maintenance-free, and it’s incredibly resistant to the wear and tears that you might give it.
Not only that, but it can also handle great extremes in temperature and doesn’t suffer from rot and mould like other materials such as wood or mud bricks do.
You might already have a brick fireplace and am thinking of updating it.
If it’s time to update your tired old brick fireplace and go to the extremes of thinking of building something completely new.
We are now going to have a look at some stone choices that are green in nature – the footprint thing is OK!
Not that it’s green in colour, as you know the stone is brown, red… You get my meaning.
Phew…
ECO FRIENDLY OK!
Types of Stone for Your Fireplace
Now while you can go about choosing just about any natural stone material for your fireplace, there are some options that are particularly suited to your fireplace space.
- Stone Quartz
Of course, if you are feeling a bit dramatic in your taste- and why not…
You can’t really go wrong with that richly textured stone quartzite.
Quartz as a Fireplace Surround Material
Quartz is a natural stone product that is very similar in appearance to marble.
This product is more cost-effective than other choices of natural stone.
It often produces an elegant and formal look and there are many rich textures and unique colours to choose from.
Options for Fireplace Materials
After addressing your budget and maintenance capacity, consider these fireplace stone options:
Soapstone
Is Soapstone Good for Fireplaces?
Hearths and Fireplaces.
One of the best qualities of soapstone is its resistance to heat.
Its use in fireplaces and woodstoves has long made it recognized as a stone almost impervious to heat.
What Is Soapstone?
Soapstone is a natural metamorphic rock that can withstand extreme heat and is an excellent material for wood stoves.
The composition of the soapstone is remarkably stable.
It is able to hold up against direct flames and dramatic shifts in temperature.
Limestone Fireplace Surround
Limestone fire place surrounds…
If you want an elegant and formal style in your space, limestone offers the perfect choice.
Keep it clean and simple, or ornate with intricate carvings.
If you’d prefer a more rustic style, choose stacked limestone.
It’s durable but porous, making it prone to scratches and stains.
Cleaning limestone can be challenging, and it should always be sealed.
Slate
Slate on the other hand is incredibly durable with a rustic vibe going for it.
If your style years more “rustic cottage,” slate might be the perfect option for you.
Incorporate it with a stacked stone look, or apply it as slate tile for clean lines.
And yes.
Slate does require regular cleaning with an occasional deep cleaning. It stands as one of the most durable materials aside from granite but will stain.
Granite
Now Granite is a great choice for any contemporary themed space in your house, and it’s also one of the strongest and hardest stones available out there.
Choose granite for a clean, contemporary look. It’s one of the most durable stones, and very easy to keep clean.
Granite requires sealing but should stand up to almost anything.
Marble
Place a marble on top of fireplace masonry for that bright, sleek look.
Marble should always be sealed and is fairly easy to clean.
However, it can scratch and stain, even chip easily.
Repairs lean toward the expensive.
While Marble has a rich beauty to it that is fairly impossible to replicate, as it’s patterns are unique to each individual piece and it can be polished or honed if you want a more formal look to it.
Going classical, are we…
Travertine
A very versatile stone, travertine can be installed as stacked bricks for that rustic look, laid as tile for the modern look or carved for an Old-Worldly look.
Travertine wears very similar to marble and limestone as far as composition, making it extra sensitive to scratches and stains.
Fake Stone For Fireplace Surround
Fireplace stone ideas for DIY
Feel the need to stay within a tight remodelling budget?
Or are you planning to do the entire job yourself?
Consider these alternatives to stone:
Stacked Stone Fireplace Surround.
Stucco Fireplace
As a superficial layer on existing brick or wood, this easy-to-DIY material means you can give your fireplace that facelift all in a weekend.
Keep it grey, or paint it once it dries.
You’ll need a few small tools and look for an online tutorial to get the job done.
Cast Stone Fireplace Surrounds
Stone Veneer Fireplace
Extra easy to install in panels, stone veneer provides a great alternative for the active family who wants that inexpensive option and doesn’t want to worry about staining or chipping a stone fireplace.
Faux-stone as you call it, the many look-alike options abound for you to choose from.
Each of these materials can beautifully transform a crumbling fireplace and for a fraction of the price of the stone.
Low Maintenance
Natural stone is very easy to maintain – simply give it a wipe with a cloth every now and then to keep it looking like new.
Yet there are some stones, like marble, which, are porous so you may want to consider sealing it to help prevent soot and dirt from settling in.
Regardless of the type of what sort of stone you use, you’ll be able to spend the majority of your time enjoying it rather than trying to maintain it.
5 Questions To Ask Before Fireplace Installation
Think about these questions before you head to the hardware store or get out your power tools:
- What look do you want for your fireplace? Sleek? Modern? Natural? Rustic? Edgy? Warm? Cool? Elegant? Cozy? Extreme? Theme Orientated
- What is your budget going to be? Different materials do vary greatly in price. Think about what you’d like to spend so you have a better idea of your options.
- How will the work be completed? Will you be doing the work all by yourself or do you plan to get in a contractor to do it? Remember, there are some fireplace stones that are much easier to install than others. A difficult installation can cost higher.
- How long do you want the fireplace to last? Some fireplace materials are not going to last a well as others as we have discussed above, and you want to make sure the fireplace material you choose for yourself stands the test of time.
- How hard on the maintenance are you willing to do? Once completing the installation, you’ll still need to consider whether you want to seal the stone, making it easier to clean and dust later.
Heat Retention
Natural stone absorbs, stores and radiates the heat of your fire, so it can improve the efficiency of your home as the warmth of a fire radiates throughout your chosen space.
Limestone and Marble are particularly good at absorbing heat, while granite is particularly good at conducting heat.
Basalt and soapstone are particularly good at storing that much-needed heat and releasing it slowly over a long period of time.
Stone for fireplace surround you yell, where is it?
Well, we have covered a fair bit here without getting too techy, you can find out those details elsewhere.
I am not going to bore you with that stuff or else you will get bored, getting bored for that extra info elsewhere is going to happen. But not on here.
I have armed you with what you need to know on the how and where now go forth and do your thing.