|
Posted 12/19/2009 @ 9:58:21 am by woodworkvoice.com
|
Having a fireplace in your home is a very special feature to have. You want it to be an attractive centerpiece of the room. The entire family will enjoy the fireplace when you take time to do some wood work trimming around it, to build up the fireplace and make it beautiful. It will be something you can be proud of because you trimmed it yourself.
In a new home, you can take time to build your own mantel and framing that will go along with your homes decor. You will need to choose wood that will work best for your fireplace. Birch, pine, poplar, mahogany, maple, and cherry are great woods to work with. Some people prefer the darker woods, while others like the lighter wood.
The wood needs to have a finish. Even though you can purchase finished stained or painted wood, it is much cheaper for you do the staining or painting yourself. Poplar wood is easier to paint, so you can match the colors of your decor. You can repaint and continue to match your decor over and over.
When you choose to stain your fireplace trimming yourself, you need to use a foam brush and apply the stain with a motion from top to bottom. After applying the stain, use a clean dry cloth to wipe the excess stain from the wood. After you allow the trim to completely dry, it is wise to apply a clear polyurethane finish to protect the wood trim. A clear polyurethane stain will allow the wood grain to show through.