Reading a book by a crackling fire or gazing thoughtfully into the flames: who doesn’t enjoy it? That’s why many people choose to install a fireplace in their living room. And with every fireplace that is installed, the same question arises: what should we do with the wall around it? At Arte, we are therefore often asked whether you can apply wallpaper around a fireplace. The answer? Yes, but…
Read more below!
Safety comes first, you’ll surely agree. So, to begin with: the following provides general information and guidelines. Every situation is different, however, so it is essential to have your specific case assessed by a professional (interior) architect. After all, many factors can play a role: the location, the type of fireplace, the structure and subconstruction, the materials, and so on.
Built-in fireplaces
That said, we are happy to give you some guidelines. First, we distinguish between closed and open fireplaces. Nowadays, more and more people opt for a closed fireplace or built-in cassette. Whether they run on wood, gas, or another fuel, these fireplaces are built in and usually have a surround made of fire-resistant material such as gypsum fibre boards or aerated concrete blocks. As a result, the wall does not get very hot, and you can generally apply wallcovering around these fireplaces without any issues.
Electric fireplaces
Dieser spezielle Einbautyp verdient besondere Aufmerksamkeit. Bei den meisten elektrische Kamine wird die Wand kaum warm, sodass die Anbringung von Wandbelägen in der Regel kein Problem darstellt.
Wood-burning stoves & open fireplaces
It’s a very different story with traditional wood-burning stoves and open fireplaces. They are becoming less common, in some regions they are even prohibited in new-build homes. However, they can still be found in older houses. The wall around or behind an open fireplace or wood stove can become very hot, so it is important to handle this with care. A fire-resistant zone must always be provided around these fireplaces, for example using suitable stone or tiles. There’s a reason why open fireplaces are usually framed by a stately mantel. In consultation with a professional, you can wallpaper above this mantel.
Safety zone
In general, we recommend providing about 20 cm of heat-resistant material, such as stone, around the fireplace opening. However, this is not always a strict requirement, and there are certainly situations where it is not necessary. A professional can assess whether this is advisable in your case.
Which wallpaper, which adhesive?
We are also often asked whether certain types of wallpaper are more suitable around a fireplace than others. Every wallpaper does indeed have a fire rating, which can serve as a guideline. The key question, however, is: how hot does the wall get? So here too, the advice is: consult a professional.
Finally, a note about adhesive. It is always important to use an adhesive that is suitable for your wallpaper (logical, right?). In addition, high-quality adhesive provides better bonding and won't come loose when the wall gets warmer.
