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<Title>Struggling to decide what material should go around your new fireplace? We've put together our top 10 fireplace surround materials to help you imagine what's possible.</Title>
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<Paragraph>Escea's inbuilt gas and electric fires are all <Link url="/journal/design-freedom-series-why-is-zero-clearance-important-to-me">Zero Clearance</Link> rated, so the wall around your fire stays cool enough to handle almost any material. Wood fires work a little differently – they're not Zero Clearance rated on their own, but pair one with our zero clearance kit and you get much the same freedom. Which is great news… until it isn't. Because now the decisions start – colour, finish, material, cost. It can all get a bit overwhelming.</Paragraph>
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<Paragraph>To help get you inspired, here are our top 10 fireplace surround materials.</Paragraph>
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1. Natural Stone
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From the timeless veining of marble to the durability of granite, the warmth of travertine, or the drama of onyx — natural stone never goes out of style. <Break /><Break />It's as practical as it is beautiful, standing up to daily life while still delivering serious visual impact. Whether you go subtle and sophisticated or bold and dramatic, stone brings a level of luxury that's hard to fake.
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2. Joinery
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Building your fireplace into custom joinery is one of the smartest moves you can make. Media walls, built-in bars, concealed storage — the wall around your fire stops being just a surround and becomes a functional piece of furniture. <Break /><Break />It's a smart option for smaller spaces where every centimetre needs to work harder, and it lets you hide the TV when it's not in use.
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3. Brick
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You can't go past a classic brick surround — but that doesn't mean it has to look traditional. While red brick is still going strong, modern takes lean into lighter colours, unexpected stacking patterns, and slimmer profiles. <Break /><Break />Brick is durable and endlessly adaptable, making it just as at home in a heritage renovation as it is in a new build.
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4. Timber
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Interiors are leaning more into wood than ever, from vertical timber slats to full feature walls. Timber brings instant warmth, and with so many finishes and tones available, it's one of the easiest ways to soften a fireplace and tie it into the rest of your home.
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5. Tiles
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Tiles are the surround material for anyone who wants options — colour, pattern, texture, scale, you name it. From classic subway tiles to artisan or oversized slabs that mimic stone, tiles let you dial the look anywhere from understated to statement-making. <Break /><Break />They're also low-maintenance and easy to clean, which makes them a practical choice as well as a stylish one.
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6. Concrete or Render
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For a clean, architectural look, render or concrete is hard to beat. It's a minimalist, monolithic finish that's become a favourite in modern builds, loved for its raw, honest texture. <Break /><Break />Render can be tinted to different colours, so it works whether you're after something soft and Scandinavian or something rawer and more industrial.
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7. Plasterboard or Drywall
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The simplest option is often the smartest one. Plasterboard gives you a completely blank canvas — paint it any colour, and repaint it whenever your style evolves. It's an easy, budget-friendly choice that suits pretty much any home, and it's especially handy if you like to change things up every few years.
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8. Panelling
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Panelling adds texture and architectural interest without committing to a full timber wall. Think vertical slats, shaker-style panels, or acoustic-style fluting. It's also a popular way to bring a bit of depth and shadow play to an otherwise flat wall.
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9. Venetian Plaster
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For something that feels a little more bespoke, venetian plaster is worth considering. Applied in thin layers and burnished to a soft, marble-like sheen, it has a depth and warmth that flat render can't quite match. <Break /><Break />It's a more artisanal choice — a little more labour, a little more cost — but the payoff is a surround that feels genuinely one-of-a-kind.
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10. Steel
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For something with a bit more edge, blackened or hot-rolled steel makes a striking surround. It pairs beautifully with concrete or stone for an industrial-meets-refined look, and it's tough enough to handle daily life without losing its character. <Break /><Break />Steel tends to suit homes with a more modern, moody palette — it's a bolder choice, but a memorable one.
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