What is a Fireplace Surround?

A fireplace surround is a specific style of mantel that has "legs" that run along side the fireplace. These legs are attached to the mantel and mounted to the wall. Most mantels are just a flat horizontal piece of wood mounted above the fireplace. Fireplace surrounds provide added lines, framing, and accents to your fireplace.  more

A fireplace surround is an architectural element which surrounds a fireplace, providing aesthetic and safety benefits. There are a number of different styles of fireplace surround which can fit in a range of design schemes, from modernist concrete designs to formal tiled ones. Many home improvement stores sell or can order fireplace surrounds, and it is also possible to install a custom version of a fireplace surround, or to modify an existing surround to change its look and feel. From an aesthetic point of view, a plain metal, brick, or concrete fireplace is not very exciting, and it can look rather stark and bland. A fireplace surround can make the fireplace more visually interesting, so that it is engaging to look at whether or not a fire is present. Brick, tile, stone, and certain types of woods can all be used to make a surrounding element for a fireplace, and the surround can be decorated with paints, stains, carvings, and other ornamental features. Safety-wise, a fireplace ...  more