A room has more personality and allure when it has a fireplace. This practical and aesthetic feature highlights the aesthetic elements in the room and lends a warm ambiance to it. You cannot just underestimate how a fireplace will do wonders for your home. 

So, if you decide to put a fireplace in your house, consider the material you will use for the fireplace surround. Make sure that it complements your home’s style of architecture and interior design. You also need to take into account the durability of the material. Read this guide to learn about the best materials for your fireplace surround. 

Choose Non-Combustible Materials

Be familiar with the parts of a fireplace before buying the materials for your fireplace surround. Of course, we have the fireplace surround, the mantel, and the hearth. You can use any material for the mantel, provided it is not near the firebox opening. However, the surround and the hearth should be non-combustible. 

Stone, tile, and brick are examples of non-combustible materials. Usually, the span between the heart and the firebox opening is 16 to 18 inches, and the surround is 8 to 12 inches wide. But you can also use materials for these parts of the fireplace to create a continuous flow with the entirety of the wall design and the flooring in the room. 

There are local regulations that may affect your choice of materials for your fireplace. Moreover, different measures are required for gas, electric, and wood fireplaces to promote safety. For instance, since electric fireplaces are less risky than wood fireplaces, installing a hearth is optional. But, with wood-burning fireplaces, you need to ensure the hearth is done according to standard. 

Top Materials for Your Fireplace Surround

Here is a list of the choicest materials to make your fireplace surround. These options are non-combustible, which are perfect for your fireplace surround. 

Tile

There are various options for a tile fireplace surround, including glass, ceramic, concrete, and porcelain tiles. You can use tile as a surround accent or extension to complement the fireplace wall. Tile is an excellent material that can transform any interior design and architectural style due to its options for patterns, colors, and designs. 

Plaster

Plaster shares some similarities with stucco, but the former is typically applied in interior spaces with modern, sleek, or rustic finishes. If your house has a Mission-style architecture, a plaster fireplace surround will fit well with it. 

Concrete

A fireplace surround made of concrete creates a similar allure and feel with a plaster fireplace surround. The advantage of concrete is that it suits well with modern industrial home designs. It is also a top material when it comes to durability and versatility. You can pour it into complex molds to create a mantel and hearth bench or to coat the fireplace wall. 

Brick

Brick is a material you often see in the fireplaces of traditional homes. You can choose from various options of sizes and colors of bricks, ranging from large bricks with rustic designs and skinny red bricks with mid-century aesthetics. You can also make the brick for your fireplace surround raw or add some finish for a more presentable look. 

Stacked Stone

If you want to have that warm ambiance in a room, you can opt for a fireplace surround made of stacked stone. This material is suitable for country-style or log cabin homes because of its rustic appearance. You can also incorporate stacked stone in any traditional home design. 

Cast Stone

When you combine concrete and stone aggregate, you make cast stone. This material is an excellent choice for mantel and fireplace surround designs. Cast stones come in conventional and modern styles, and you can buy them as a single unit. 

Stone Slab

In contrast to a stacked stone fireplace surround, a stone slab alternative looks more modern and luxurious. The latter departs from the rustic feel of stacked stone. If your home has a contemporary design, you can use granite and marble slabs as the main material for your fireplace surround or as a covering for the fireplace wall to create a dramatic look. 

Sheet Metal

The visual effect of a metal-clad fireplace surround cannot be underestimated as it creates a bold and eye-catching aesthetic for your home. If you choose sheet metal as material for your fireplace surround, make sure the house has a modern and industrial look. You can customize this material based on color and shine. 

Endnote

If you are thinking of building a fireplace for your new home, make sure it has a durable and non-combustible material as its surround. There are various materials you can use for your fireplace surround, such as tile, plaster, brick, concrete, stacked stone, cast stone, stone slab, and sheet metal. Consider your home’s architectural style and interior design when choosing a material for your fireplace surround.