What Makes Oak Fireplace Beams So Special 

For a long time, fireplaces have been at the heart of a home, providing warmth, comfort, and a place to gather around. So, whether you’re breathing new life into a period property, or you’re planning the interior décor of a newly built home, choosing the right fireplace mantel beam is key to achieving the look and feel you want from your living space.

When considering fireplace beam ideas, remember that their purpose goes beyond adding character and texture to the room; framing your fire in that way can also have architectural benefits. From classic oak beam fireplace surrounds to contemporary ceramic fireplace beams, the choices are plentiful, and each material comes with its own personality and advantages. 

Before exploring what makes oak fireplace beams so special, let’s explore how to choose the right fireplace mantel beam type for your home.

Choosing the Right Fireplace Mantel Beam

Finding the perfect fireplace mantel beam means considering several elements, including your overall interior design, the budget you’re working with, and any practical requirements your wood burner or fireplace has.

Wooden fireplace beams, for instance, are a timeless classic for cottagecore or rustic interiors. Meanwhile, metal or ceramic fireplace beams might be a better fit if you’re looking to create a contemporary feel with a slick finish.

The size of your fireplace, and the room as a whole, will also help guide your choice. If you’re decorating a larger room, chunky fireplace oak beams are ideal for adding character, and creating a focal point. In smaller spaces, thinner fireplace mantel beams might work better, so they don’t overpower the area.

Installation, maintenance, and fire resistance requirements are also elements to keep in mind. Some materials make for easier fitting, and can be refinished later down the line, so pick a fireplace beam idea that really fits your lifestyle long-term.

 For hearths that present fire safety challenges, look towards non-combustible beams. Created to replicate the aesthetic appeal of real oak fireplace beams, they’re a practical solution that doesn’t compromise on looks.

Different Types of Fireplace Mantel Beams

 If you’re a fan of fireplaces with beams, you can have your pick from a range of materials when setting up your own – there’s an option for all budgets, décor styles, and practical requirements. Here, we’ve rounded up the most common types of fireplace mantel beams, and why you might select each option.

Timber Beams for Fireplaces 

Traditional timber beams for fireplaces are often made from pine, oak, or reclaimed wood. They’re beloved for the natural beauty, warmth, and authenticity they add to a space. You might go with the softer pine wood as a more affordable option for a decorative spruce up, or invest in a classic look with decadent oak fireplace beams. 

Reclaimed wooden fireplace beams, meanwhile, are an ideal option for sustainable projects, where you’re looking to combine historic appeal with eco-conscious choices. The aged patina you’d find with these just can’t be recreated in new timber the same way!

Ceramic Fireplace Beams

Furnishing a modern home, or working with electric fire installations? These pair perfectly with ceramic fireplace beams. Naturally non-combustible, ceramic beams are a safe option in tighter spaces, where you might need to place the beam closer to the flames.

What’s more, their resistance to discolouration and warping makes them a low-maintenance, durable choice for minimalist interiors. 

Metal or Cast-Iron Fireplace Surrounds

Cast-iron and metal surrounds offer sturdiness and longevity, paired with a bold look that’s bound to make a statement. An ideal addition to Victorian-style homes and modern industrial spaces alike, these bold, dark fireplace surrounds complement historic details and contrast with softer furnishings.

Just keep in mind, they can feel a bit overpowering in a smaller space, and are quite physically heavy - something to consider at the installation stage.

Oak Fireplace Beams: What Makes Them So Special?

Fireplace oak beams are one of the most popular choices, and that’s really not a surprise. As a hardwood, oak offers both strength and natural aesthetic appeal, giving any room a unique character, while also lasting for an age. Equally at home in rustic cottages and contemporary lofts, oak fireplace beams can also be refinished with ease to match any changes in your décor.

Here are just a few of the reasons why oak fireplace beams are so special: 

Natural Character of Oak

Using natural oak for your fireplace mantel beams will provide you with an abundance of character. You cannot easily achieve this with other materials. You will never get two oak fireplace beams the same – your beam is completely unique to your home. From the grain, cracks, knots, and colour, there are so many variations. Plus, oak beam fireplaces tend to look even better with age!

 

Longevity

Our oak fireplace beams can last a lifetime! Oak has been the material of choice for centuries, and it’s easy to see why. Oak is a hardwood which is traditionally used for carving.

People often call it the king of English trees due to its strength, density, and durability. It is one of the finest materials to work with, thanks to its resilience to fungal attacks, which makes it less prone to decay and rotting. You can be confident that your fireplace beam will last for years to come. 

Flexible Looks

Oak fireplace beams can change with the time. The great thing about using oak for your fireplace mantel beams is that it can easily be refinished. You can buy all sorts of colour stains and waxes for oak fireplace beams, from a rich deep walnut colour for a timeless look to a pale grey stain for a bright and modern feel.

We provide nine colour finishes with our oak fireplace beams; however, we’re only ever a phone call away if you fancy a change and need advice on how best to refinish your beam. If you ever switch up your room décor, you can change your fireplace oak beam to suit. You will never be stuck with the same look forever. 

Read more: Fireplace Decorating Ideas: How to Style a Fireplace Mantel

Easy Installation

Some heavier surrounds can take quite a lot of labour to install, but our oak beam fireplace surrounds fit easily to a fully finished wall. We offer pre-drilled holes and fixings with many of our oak fireplace beams, so you can easily hang them on your wall in no time at all. Plus, oak fireplace beams are so much cheaper than cast iron or marble surrounds – saving you time and money!

Read more: Install Your Fireplace Beam In Record Time With These Tips

Endless Design Possibilities

Oak fireplace beams come in all sorts of sizes, so you are sure to find one that suits your fire or wood burner opening easily, instead of trying to it suit the mantel or surround. Even if we don’t offer the size you’re looking for as standard, we can do many bespoke requests, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Why Choose Fireplace Oak Beams from Traditional Beams?

When it comes to fireplaces with beams, oak is the unchallenged favourite. It blends timeless appeal with durability, and - most importantly - adaptability. At Traditional Beams, we handcraft all of our fireplace wooden beams, bringing a touch of traditional craftsmanship to products that offer endless modern design flexibility.

Still need convincing? Check out the thousands of reviews our happy customers have left on reviews.io, an independent review site. If you are looking for some oak beam fireplace ideas, we have hundreds of real-life photos of our products on Instagram.

Browse our oak fireplace beams collection, or contact us for expert advice on the best choice for your home, today.