Fireplace Mantel Surrounds

Framing the fireplace brilliantly as the decorative focal point is the fireplace mantel surround. Situated at the top to include the mantel and at each side of the fireplace, it has the ability to stand out in a room, even with a simple design.

Architects in Greek and Roman history are the ones responsible for the earliest fireplace surround mantels.

Elaborate designs were used with the help of carved figures and moldings to marble and tiles.

Even picture panels were used as it is today.

Fast-forward to today and some of the design style and materials are still maintained. A mantel surround is indeed a major construction task. That's why you will want to take your time in selecting the right material that would enhance your living space.

If you are building a mantel surround to suit your decor for instance, it would be best to have it custom-made.

So, too, are marble, granite oak and even brick. You will then have to decide whether you want a simple design or something more extravagant reminiscent of the Victorian era.

Of course there are easy do-it-yourself surround mantel kits available in unlimited designs to fit your specifications and needs.

Fireplace Mantel Surrounds

Framing the fireplace brilliantly as the decorative focal point is the fireplace mantel surround. Situated at the top to include the mantel and at each side of the fireplace, it has the ability to stand out in a room, even with a simple design.

Architects in Greek and Roman history are the ones responsible for the earliest fireplace surround mantels.

Elaborate designs were used with the help of carved figures and moldings to marble and tiles.

Even picture panels were used as it is today.

Fast-forward to today and some of the design style and materials are still maintained. A mantel surround is indeed a major construction task. That's why you will want to take your time in selecting the right material that would enhance your living space.

If you are building a mantel surround to suit your decor for instance, it would be best to have it custom-made.

So, too, are marble, granite oak and even brick. You will then have to decide whether you want a simple design or something more extravagant reminiscent of the Victorian era.

Of course there are easy do-it-yourself surround mantel kits available in unlimited designs to fit your specifications and needs.

How Cleaning the Fireplaces - Tips

It is very important to clean the fireplace, beside to maintain its beauty, it is also good to prevent fire in your home. Get some tips on cleaning the fireplace and feel safe.

If your fireplace has a slate hearth and facings, wash them with a detergent or soap, using a mild abrasive if necessary. Rinse the slate and wipe it dry. For an added beauty treatment rub the dry slate with a soft cloth dipped in lemon oil furniture polish. With a fresh cloth wipe off any excess oil and then buff the stone.

For marble mantels and facings follow the directions for marble floors and marble furniture.

For painted mantels follow the cleaning directions given for painted walls and woodwork.

Brass andirons and fire tools are not difficult to keep bright if they are polished regularly. Use a polish made for brass (metal polishes differ in their abrasive qualities) and rub until the tarnish is gone. Polish the brass with a piece of soft flannel or chamois leather.

Burned-in resins from wood can be removed with steel wool but fine emery cloth, which can be bought at a hardware store, is better and easier to handle. Rub in one direction and use your polish afterwards.

Lacquered brass needs only to be dusted or washed with tepid suds. If the lacquer begins to crack and peel, or has become blackened from the fire, the tools should be redone. To do them yourself, first remove the old lacquer with acetone (drugstore), then polish them.

Wipe them again with acetone to be sure that every trace of the polish is removed, then brush or spray them with a transparent metal lacquer.

Clean iron fire tools with a brush or duster and rub them occasionally with a cloth moistened with kerosene. This will keep them black and prevents rust. Or they can be painted with a special, fire-resistant andiron paint, available in dull or glossy finish.

If the horizontal bar of an andiron snaps, a welder will repair it for you at little cost, or put on a new piece.

Fire screens should be dusted frequently. If they become gummy or soiled, clean them with kerosene on a cloth, or scrub them with hot water and a good detergent.

FIRE PREVENTION
So much for your fireplace, excbept for a final note of caution. Never retire at night, or leave your home untended, while a fire still blazes on the hearth. If you can't wait for it to burn out bank it thickly with ashes. Fire screens are a must for untended fires. They should always be in place if there are small children about.

For fireplace which has slate hearth, using the mild soap or detergent to wash them. You can polish the brass andirons and fire tools to keep them bright. Clean iron fire tools with brush or duster and rub occasionally with kerosene.

Article Source: http://www.articlewheel.com

About History of the Fireplace

Man’s use of fire can be traced as far back as one million years ago. The fires then were built on the ground. While the ancient people were inside their huts, smoke accidentally escaped through holes in the roof. Approximately half a million years ago, fires were already built on a solid hearth and holes were deliberately made in the roof so smoke could exit.

Fires were traditionally placed in the middle of the room to allow maximum accessibility and heat output. The advancement of the first two-storey buildings led to the fireplace being relegated to the outside wall. The only material available then for building the floor of the second storey was wood. Obviously, it was unwise to build a fire on a wooden floor, so the fireplace was moved into a cut-out in the wall. The flue was placed horizontally so extraction of smoke was poor. Smoke would frequently have blown into the room. In the end, they discovered the principle of the chimney.

The means of using wood to heat homes and offices is almost as old as dirt. It can be traced back to the 1700s when Abraham Darby used procedures of smelting, where it was found out that iron provided a cost-efficient way of producing heat.

It was during the Victorian age when fireplaces began to grow popular. During this time, people discovered that aside from producing heat, fireplaces added a hint of elegance. It somehow gave homes a comfortable and traditional environment. Through the years, housing designs evolved and so did the fireplaces, along with the technology. Fireplaces changed and became more fashionable, offering sand casting systems. This provided a chance for makers to create even more superior designs.

In spite of all the changes and the advancement, the basic fireplace is still made up of two components – the surround and the insert. The surround part of the fireplace is composed of the mantle and sides. It is typically made of wood, granite, marble, and sometimes iron. The insert is the part of the fireplace where the fire is burned. This part is constructed using cast iron and is frequently adorned with stylish tiles of different colors and designs.

Still, with all his excellent discoveries, Franklin's effort had a defect. The hitch was that air cannot be drawn in. This is because the smoke was vented from the bottom. David Rittenhouse, from Philadelphia, decided to utilize Benjamin's invention but innovated it by putting in an L-shaped stovepipe as a means of moving the air through the fire and then emitting the smoke out through a chimney. This add-on proved quite successful. It was in the late 1700s that these freestanding stoves were being used all over the country. Although David Rittenhouse made the stove a success, people still identified it by the name Franklin Stove.