Installing a Granite Fireplace Surround Into Your Home

While granite is a popular option for countertops in homes across the country, it’s not the only place to use granite in your home. If you’re upgrading features in or remodeling your home, consider granite for a bathroom vanity counter or as a flooring option. Granite is a luxurious choice for fireplace surrounds, too.

 A fireplace surround is the area around the exterior of the fireplace, or the edging you see on the sides, top and bottom. As one of the hardest, most durable materials found in nature, granite is sourced from mines across the globe, including Brazil, Egypt and Norway. The material is perfect for the fireplace, as it can withstand extreme temperatures while maintaining its beautiful look. Granite is also synonymous with class and sophistication. If you’re installing a fireplace in your home or revamping the look of an existing one, consider granite.

All About Granite

Granite is an igneous rock that is made of a combination of quartz, feldspar and occasionally mica. Granite offers a unique quality that many other stones don’t – each slab of granite has its own individual color and pattern. Granite patterns and veining vary with each slab, and the material comes in colors such as black, brown, gold, red, blue and grey. The veining of granite is a result of the crystals found within the rock, and some of these marks are quite dramatic.

Choosing the Right Granite Fireplace Surround Color

You’ll face a considerable number of color options when choosing a granite fireplace surround. In fact, there are almost as many colors of granite as there are in the rainbow. Some options look very natural, while others offer a more dramatic look. Some of the specific color options for a fireplace surround include absolute black, which looks amazing when paired with white or darker brown colors, and colonial cream, a neutral color with swirls of gold and beige. Other dramatic options include kynite, which has sweeping reds and grays throughout the slab.

With the many color options and combinations, you may be overwhelmed when choosing granite for your fireplace. Usually, the best way to determine the right color combination right is to look at the room’s decor. For instance, if you want your fireplace to be the centerpiece of a room already decorated in whites and beige, avoid using similar colors that will blend in with the look of the fireplace. Choosing a black or reddish color granite for this surround will make the fireplace a featured statement in a lighter-colored room.

Caring for Your Granite Fireplace Surround

One of the reasons homeowners prefer a granite fireplace surround, granite doesn’t require a lot of care. The material is extremely durable, it retains its quality, and it holds up under most conditions. In fact, granite very often outlasts the lifespan of the home and the homeowner. When properly cared for, granite is highly resistant to scratches and stains. Installed in the surround of a fireplace, however, it must be regularly cleaned to avoid a buildup of soot and ash on its surface.

Cleaning your granite fireplace surround can be done in a matter of minutes. All you need is warm water, a few drops of a mild cleanser (or cleaning products specifically designed for use with granite) and a soft cloth or sponge. Dampen the cloth or sponge in the water and gently scrub the granite. If your fireplace features granite tiles with grout lines, make sure to get in those areas, too. When you’ve scrubbed the entire surround with the soapy water, use clean water and run the soft cloth over the granite again to remove the soap. It is very important to remove all of the soap residue, as it can, over time, produce a film that makes the granite look dingy. The last step in the cleaning process, use a towel to dry off the surround. You can also use granite polish to ensure a constant shine.

When a homeowner decides to renovate a fireplace or install one in a new home, granite is usually at the top of the list. The durable, quality look delivers a top-of-the-line, luxurious look to any room. A granite fireplace surround can significantly change the look and feel in any room, and will turn an ordinary fireplace into something spectacular. Granite is also easy to care for and lasts a lifetime. Work with professional installers to ensure that your fireplace makes a statement and transforms the look of your room.