Marble Fireplaces

Of all fireplaces, the marble fireplace is, and always has been, the most luxurious and opulent. For hundreds of years, marble has been used to fashion fireplaces and fireplace mantels, with grand versions in stately homes and also in ordinary homes, albeit on a much smaller scale. Traditionally, only the most opulent marble was used, in white and selected rare colours, but these became harder to locate and also very expensive. Today, there are many types, styles and colours of marble fireplace. The 3 main types of marble used in the manufacture of such fireplaces are:

Natural Marble: has a smooth texture and comes in a selection of colours – a popular marble used is Carrara marble, a white-blue type from Italy.

Micro Marble: is made from natural marble pieces that are crushed and the pieces mixed together with resin, then polished. Micro marble has a smooth finish and, like natural marble, is cool to the touch. Comes in a wide range of colours.

Conglomerate Marble: is manufactured in the same way as micro marble (compacted together and mixed with resin), but the pieces of marble used are much larger. There is also greater variation of size and colour. Like natural marble and micro marble, conglomerate marble is cool to the touch.

Marble may be one of the most expensive fireplace materials, but any outlay is more than worth it. The marble fireplace has been providing a timeless beauty to homes for centuries, providing a stunning focal point and bringing a touch of luxury and grandeur to any room it graces. Marble is also a very strong material and will last for many years – in fact, a lifetime. It requires little or no maintenance to keep it looking good – simply wipe over with a damp cloth from time to time. Regarding fireplaces made from natural marble, a distinct advantage is their uniqueness – due to individual shading and markings, no two will ever be the same.

There are many types of marble fireplace, both traditional and modern. Original period marble fireplaces and mantels are available, but these are very expensive – see this selection at Britain’s Heritage. English Fireplaces sells an excellent selection of hand-carved marble fireplaces, and offer a bespoke service creating both period and modern designs. For more information, contact the company.

Whichever style you choose, it is sure to bring a touch of luxury and grandeur to your home for many years to come.