Buying guide
The surround is what people see first. It frames the fire, carries the mantel and sets the style of the whole room. The trick is to choose one that fits both the chimney breast and whatever will burn inside it.
Wood or cast iron?
Solid wood. Carron's wooden surrounds are solid oak or solid pine, supplied unwaxed or waxed to order in four Fiddes shades. Timber gives warmth and suits cottages, farmhouses, Victorian and modern rooms alike. Because wood is combustible, it must be kept the right distance from the fire: check the clearances in the manual of the fire or stove you will use.
Cast iron. Carron's cast iron surrounds, in black or full polish (the Regent in black only), are non-combustible, so they sit happily around an open fire or stove. Styles range from Georgian to Edwardian and Art Nouveau.
Our surrounds
| Surround | Material | H x W x D | Opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berrington | Solid oak or pine | 1135 x 1400 x 205mm | 910 x 910mm |
| Corbel | Solid oak or pine | 1220 x 1400 x 200mm | 910 x 910mm |
| Derry | Solid oak or pine | 1110 x 1320 x 190mm | 910 x 900mm |
| Grand | Solid oak or pine | 1170 x 1370 x 170mm | 940 x 940mm |
| Kedleston | Solid oak or pine | 1150 x 1410 x 185mm | 910 x 910mm |
| Nostell | Solid oak or pine | 1295 x 1410 x 200mm | 910 x 910mm |
| Albert (Late Victorian) | Cast iron | 1170 x 1410 x 190mm | 910 x 930mm |
| Belgrave (Edwardian) | Cast iron | 1310 x 1360 x 200mm | 920 x 930mm |
| Knightsbridge | Cast iron | 1330 x 1630 x 250mm | 900 x 900mm |
| Somerset (Georgian) | Cast iron | 1220 x 1510 x 180mm | 940 to 1020 x 920mm |
Also in solid oak or pine: the Edinburgh Corbel, Hardwick and Wessex. In cast iron: the Alice, Art Nouveau and Regent.
Measuring for a surround
- Chimney breast. The surround should leave a margin either side. A 1400mm surround needs a breast comfortably wider than that.
- Opening. Match the surround's opening to what goes inside: a cast iron insert, whose 1020mm square back plate sits behind the surround and overlaps the opening, a back panel, or a stove with its clearances.
- Height. Our surrounds stand 1110mm to 1330mm high. Check against windows, sockets and anything above.
- Depth. 150mm to 250mm, which affects how far the mantel shelf projects.
- Hearth. The surround sits on or beside the hearth; size the hearth to the fuel as well as the surround.
What goes inside a surround?
- A cast iron insert for a traditional open fire. See cast iron fireplaces and inserts.
- A back panel and gas fire. Carron's black granite back panel, 970mm x 970mm in three pieces, suits solid fuel or gas.
- A stove standing on the hearth within the opening, with the clearances to the surround its manual requires.
- An electric fire, inset into a back panel, for a fireplace with no chimney use at all.
Prefer everything in one order? See our electric fireplace suites, which come with the surround and fire; the Adam suites also include a back panel and hearth.
Choosing a style
Carron's wooden surrounds cover a range of looks. Designs with corbels, such as the Corbel and Edinburgh Corbel, have brackets supporting the mantel shelf for a traditional, substantial feel. Simpler designs with clean lines suit cottages and modern rooms. Oak brings a rich grain and warmer colour; pine is paler and takes wax well for an aged look. In cast iron, the Albert has Late Victorian detailing, the Belgrave is Edwardian in style, the Alice and Somerset are Georgian, the Regent is Regency in style and the Art Nouveau carries flowing plant forms. Match the surround to the age of the house, or to the mood of the room if the house has no strong period.
Waxing, finishing and fitting
Carron's wooden surrounds can be supplied unwaxed, ready for you to finish, or waxed to order in four Fiddes shades. Solid timber moves slightly with heat and humidity, so let it settle in the room before fitting and keep it away from direct, intense heat. Cast iron surrounds weigh from 55kg to 110kg and must be fixed securely to the chimney breast with gaps sealed so flue gases cannot get behind. Any surround around a solid fuel or gas fire must respect the clearances in that appliance's manual. Gas fires must be fitted by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and solid fuel appliances by a HETAS-registered installer or with Building Control sign-off.
Common questions
What size fire surround do I need?
One that fits your chimney breast with a margin either side and has an opening to suit what goes inside. Most of our Carron wooden surrounds have a 910mm square opening.
Can I put a wood burner inside a wooden surround?
Yes, if the stove's manual clearances to combustible materials are met. Timber close to a stove may need more distance or protection.
What is the difference between oak and pine?
Both are solid timber. Oak is a dense hardwood with a pronounced grain; pine is a lighter softwood with a paler tone. Both can be waxed to order.
What finishes are available for wooden surrounds?
Unwaxed, or waxed to order in four Fiddes shades.
Are cast iron surrounds suitable for an open fire?
Yes. Cast iron is non-combustible. Fit it with a cast iron insert or fire inside and a suitable hearth.
Will a Carron insert fit a Carron wooden surround?
Carron's 40 inch inserts, such as the Royal and London Plate, are 1020mm square and sit behind the surround, which overlaps them, so the opening should be smaller than the insert. Check the surround's opening on the listing before ordering.
How heavy are cast iron surrounds?
From 55kg for the Alice to 110kg for the Knightsbridge.
Can I paint a pine surround?
Carron's pine surrounds are supplied unwaxed or waxed to order. An unwaxed surround can be finished as you like, using a finish suited to the heat of the fire it surrounds.
Do you sell complete fireplace packages?
Our electric fireplace suites come with the surround and fire, and the Adam suites with a back panel and hearth as well. For other fuels, choose a surround, insert or back panel and hearth separately.