A fire surround is the decorative frame around a fireplace opening, comprising the sides, known as jambs or pilasters, the top or frieze, and usually a shelf known as the mantel. The term is often used interchangeably with chimneypiece or mantelpiece, and fire surrounds are made in marble, stone, timber, cast iron, slate, plaster and tile.
In Britain, the fire surround has long been the focal point of a room and a key indicator of its importance and date. Georgian surrounds were often of carved marble or pine with classical columns, tablets and friezes, while Regency examples favoured simple reeded or corner-block designs. Victorian houses featured marble, slate and cast iron surrounds, often combined with tiled inserts and cast iron grates, and the Arts and Crafts and Edwardian periods brought oak, tiled and inglenook designs. Antique fire surrounds are among the most sought-after items in architectural salvage, and buyers should check measurements, condition of marble or stone, and whether all parts are original. Installation in a listed building usually requires permission, and the surround should suit the period and scale of the room.
