While it is not required to have a fireplace surround, you will find that any fireplace set up is more attractive if you have some kind of surround. The surround and mantel not only add decoration, they are a safety measure as well. There are many different materials to choose from for the construction of your fireplace surround. In addition, there are several different styles.
Some common fireplace surround materials include slate tiles, bricks, marble tiles, and wood. Some of these materials are expensive and some are less so, but they can all be beautiful if they are design the right way. Some fireplace surrounds are ornate and this is most common with wood because it is easily carved. Other ornate fireplace surrounds might be made of marble. Some surrounds are just a few inches around the opening of the hearth while others cover the entire wall with the fireplace opening. The whole wall surrounds are most often made of stone. One way to cut down on the cost of a stone or marble surround is to only use thin tiles over top of drywall. Instead of using slabs or bricks of stone or marble, using thin tiles will cut down on the cost significantly without sacrificing the beauty of you chosen material.
Marble, brick, or stone fireplaces are also a safety measure. If for some reason a fire in your hearth were to get out of hand and start throwing flames out of the fireplace and beyond any fireplace screen, then the stone barrier between your fireplace and the flammable housing materials such as wood, drywall, etc. Is a plus. While the stone surround will not stop the fire, it may give you a little bit of time by slowing things down. It will take longer for the fire to work its way around the surround.
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