Fireplaces give families a warm, cozy place to gather during the cooler months. They become focal points in any room, and how you style them can dramatically affect the design aesthetic. The fireplace surround, including the mantel and mantel shelf, surrounds the firebox and allows play with form and texture, bringing your design concept to life.
Classic materials for fireplace surrounds include marble, stone, brick, and wood. Today, however, precast concrete takes center stage. Here are four reasons concrete makes the best material for modern fireplace mantels and surrounds.
1. It’s Fireproof
Concrete is completely non-combustible, so there is no chance of it burning even when in direct contact with the flames. It’s safe to use as a self-supporting fireplace surround that extends into the firebox. A precast concrete hearth gives you the fire-resistant qualities of brick or stone with a more contemporary finish. Plus, it retains heat and releases it slowly, so the room will stay warm long after the embers die for the night.
2. It’s Highly Customizable
With our state-of-the-art mould-making technology, we can cast concrete into almost any shape. It allows architects and interior designers the freedom to be creative, ordering fireplace surrounds, mantels, and hearths that embody their client’s design vision. Whether you’re after a sleek, minimalist look or an opulent mantel that exudes old-world elegance, anything is possible with precast concrete. It also comes in many colours and finishes to suit any aesthetic.
3. It’s Durable and Low-Maintenance
Concrete is a robust building material that can last many years as a fireplace surround. You generally won’t have to reseal or resurface it, and it does not require much maintenance overall. All it takes to keep a concrete fireplace surround looking its best is regular cleaning with mild soap and warm water. We seal all our precast concrete products before installation to protect them from everyday wear and tear.
4. It Has a Classic Style
Modern fireplace mantels come in all shapes and sizes, some extravagant and others understated. While some may speak to the latest design trends, precast concrete is a classic choice. It generally comes in muted, neutral colours that go with almost anything, so your fireplace will never look out of place, even when your interior design style changes. It’s a long-term investment that’s completely future-proof.
Explore Our Precast Concrete Fireplace Finishes
We build custom concrete fireplaces for Calgary homes of all styles and sizes. We love to spoil our clients with expansive choices and can cast concrete mantels, hearths, and surrounds to suit your design dreams. Our concrete is available in eight unique colours: white, bright white, antique white, halo, silver grey, natural grey, pewter, and charcoal.
You can also choose between a classic, smooth finish, hand-pressed, textured, or board-formed concrete. Not sure which one to select? Feel free to visit our gallery for design inspiration. Get in touch with our team for a quote or to learn more about our products.
