Wood is one of the most popular fireplace mantel materials, and always has been. In Victorian times, wood fireplace mantels were usually made from a quality solid wood such as mahogany, but cheaper woods such as pine were often used. If pine was used, it was painted to give the appearance of more expensive wood – sometimes, homeowners painted pine mantels white and added gilding for an expensive look. Wood mantels became much larger in the Edwardian era and were made from oak and mahogany – often, mirrors were inlaid into such fireplaces.
Wood makes an ideal fireplace material for many reasons; it is durable and hardwearing, easy to carve, versatile and comes in many finishes and colours – wood may be stained or painted in virtually any colour, in order to match a room’s décor. A wood fireplace evokes comfort and warmth more than any other material.
Today, there are probably more wood fire surrounds than any other type of fireplace. Original period fireplace mantels are offered by fireplace specialists and salvage yards, and these can add valuable originality to period properties. Modern technology has ensured that quality reproduction wood fireplaces are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing, yet much more affordable.
Thanks to MDF, fireplaces can now be mass manufactured very cheaply and offer the customer an alternative to the expensive solid wood fireplace. MDF makes up the main body of a fireplace, and then a thin layer of timber (veneer) is laid onto this and stained in various colours. MDF is a very strong material that withstands temperature change very well, so it is an excellent (and economical) choice for a fireplace. As well as MDF, most fireplaces made from solid wood are fashioned from pine or oak and then stained in various wood finishes such as mahogany, yew, and various shades of oak or pine.
Wood really is a versatile fireplace material, and whatever type of wood fireplace you choose, it will look lovely when paired with any other type of fireplace material, such as cast iron, stone, slate and marble. It is also easy to maintain and, like stone and marble, has a timeless appeal, fitting well into all types of home, both traditional and contemporary. A real bonus of the wooden fireplace is that much of the timber comes from sustainable sources, lessening the negative impact on the environment.
