After determining the type of fireplace that best suits your needs, you have to choose one of the many fireplace surrounds. Although the fireplace itself is critical and there is a lot to consider when choosing what type to install, the fireplace surround provides the aesthetic appeal. Fireplace mantels and surrounds provide the finishing look to the fireplace, not unlike a frame provides the finish to a photograph, or piece of art. Not only does the surround give beauty, but it’s also functional. Fireplace surrounds help improve safety by providing layers for fire protection.

The type of surround you choose depends on a few things; the size of your fireplace, the style of the room, and the material you wish to use.

There are tons of different sizes of fireplaces and surrounds. For this reason, you need to be careful to measure the dimensions of your fireplace, to ensure the surround you choose will fit the fireplace and the room properly. Some of the measurements you need to take are the total height, and width, the opening height and width, and the distances from the edge of the fireplace to the nearest object (wall, window, etc.) Not every person who has a fireplace needs the same measurements. If you have a hearth, you will need to include that in the measurements, as well as if you have a facing.

The style you choose for your surround should be cohesive with the style of the room, and your home. A contemporary surround would simply look out of place in a classical room. In a more traditional room, a wood fireplace surround would be more appropriate. Match the wood to other furniture, or the hardwood floor in the room. If the decoration in the room consists of mostly clean, straight lines, you may want to avoid elaborate, curvy carvings. Consider the overall look you want the room to have, and use the surround as a tool to help you achieve that design. You should also determine if you want a fireplace mantel surround that is all-inclusive, or if you would rather have the surround and the mantel separate.

Lastly, you need to decide the material you should use. This will partially be affected by the style you choose, but even if you have a specific style in mind, there are generally several materials that can be shaped to meet that look. If you know you want to stain or paint the surround, it will help you determine what material you should use. Oak and birch are both good options for staining. Stone is another material often used to construct a surround, anything from as formal as marble, to as rustic as natural stones can be used. Do your homework, and you can end up with a beautiful surround that meets your personal style and that can be the gathering point of the room.

A wood fireplace surround can create a warm ambience that complements that of the fire. Types of wood you may use for the surround, include, but are not limited to, oak, birch, pine, cherry and maple. Although woods vary in softness, wood is a softer material to work with than most stone. This allows the wood to easily be carved to the shape and with the details that you desire.

A marble fireplace surround is another option. Marble looks exquisite. Marble is costly, not only due to the material itself, but because of the installation costs. It’s not the easiest material to work with. If natural marble is out of the budget you have set for your surround, but it is the look you desire, consider cultured or man made marble. It can provide the luxurious look you desire, is much less costly and much easier to work with. Natural marble will have more inconsistencies that make in unique, while cultured will look very uniform throughout.

Yet another option would be a tile fireplace surround. Tile comes in all sorts of colors and patterns. Certainly there is a tile that fits your specific style. Tile can also be fairly easily installed. If you felt up to the task, you could likely do it yourself. Tile is a relatively easy way to update an existing surround. If you are unhappy with your existing surround, you could remove it and replace it with tile.

Another way to update an existing surround is to paint or stain it. Maybe you have a brick surround that you feel is outdated. Try painting the brick to give it a more updated look, and better match the your style.

Whether building and installing a fireplace surround yourself, or purchasing one already assembled and having someone else install it for you, don’t forget to consider the size of your fireplace. If you are building and installing the surround yourself this will affect how much material you will need. Also, if you were purchasing the complete surround, you would hate to get it home and not have it fit your fireplace, or the space in the room.

A fireplace surround will not only give added safety, but a personal touch to a fireplace. Do not overlook the important of choosing your fireplaces surround.