The fireplace has a symbolic meaning for the human intellect. From the time humans first utilized fire in rudimentary means, such element has then become the center for many tribes and many activities. Eventually, the fireplace emerged to serve as the primary source of light, heat, security and food. At present, with the advancement in technology, the traditional wood and gas burning fireplace is now being replaced with portable flame electric fireplace.
Even though the fireplace has undergone several structural changes, two of its most essential parts are still apparent”"the surround and mantels. Fireplace surrounds and mantels are what encompasses such a fire feature to make it appear more visually interesting rather than just a black hole on the wall. The use of surround and mantels are very common in traditional wood and gas burning fireplace. However, as electric fireplace is now rapidly becoming the alternative for traditional wood and gas burning fireplace, surround and mantels are now also available to complement this fire feature.
As we all know, a fireplace surround acts as a shield for the soot and heat that could profoundly damage the wall paint inside a room. This purpose of the surround might leave you wondering, why would I use a surround if I have an electric fireplace that does not emit damaging soot and heat? The answer is simple, a fireplace that lacks surround is unattractive regardless if it is electric powered or if it uses wood or gas. A surround could profoundly make a big difference on how you electric fireplace looks like and could sustain design continuity inside a room.
Just like the ones used for traditional fireplace, you could also be as creative with your electric fireplace surround. Although this type of fireplace is already equipped with its own surround, you could easily make changes to this by using your own design idea. Since an electric fireplace does not produce real flames, a wooden surround would definitely provide you more opportunity for decoration as it could be carved in differing shapes that would complement the interior design of your room. Some materials that you could also take advantage of other than wood may include plaster, cast iron, marble, brick and limestone; just remember that some materials offer more advantages than the others so make sure that you’ll pick the materials that you think would highlight your fireplace.
Alongside the surround is the electric fireplace mantels, which also plays an integral role in enhancing the appearance of your fire feature. Throughout history, mantels have well represented domestic life and have received special attention from homeowners and fireplace designers alike. Like your surround, the mantels of your fireplace could be designed using a whole range of materials including but are not limited to wood, metal, natural stone. The most important thing that you have to consider when creating or choosing the designs of your mantels is how you could put your emotions into it in order to make it the best focal point inside your room.
Among the most notable designs for electric fireplace mantels today are the period mantels such as colonial, Gregorian, Victorian and federal mantels. For a more personal touch, mantels could also be designed based from the places that you have visited or memories that you are most fond about; the main idea is for you to be able to release all your creativity on the mantels in order to befit your personal taste. Basically, there are no limits as to what you could actually do with the design of the surround and mantels of your electric fireplace. Going an extra mile in the design aspect would not only give you a unique fireplace but would also permit you to become more creative.
If you have an old flame electric fireplace and you wish to update its looks, you could simply do so by changing either the fireplace surround or mantels. These two elements are design-oriented and could be transformed according to your laid design plans. Portable fireplace mantels for instance could be changed into period mantels to proudly reflect the cultural history of the past.
