Planning to Panel Around Your Fireplace? Here’s What You Need to Know

A fireplace has a way of becoming the heart of a room — especially when it’s framed by warm textures and thoughtful detail. If you're dreaming of lining the wall around your fireplace with timber panels, there’s one important detail to consider before you get started: heat compatibility.

All Feature Panel profiles are made from timber or MDF, which means they’re considered combustible materials. So when it comes to installing them around a fireplace, the type of fire you choose matters. A lot.

What’s the Safest Fireplace Option for Timber Panelling?

With that in mind, the most important factor in ensuring safety and aesthetics is choosing the right fireplace — zero clearance fireplaces are your best option.

Unlike traditional fireplaces that require significant space between the fire and surrounding materials, zero clearance models are designed to be installed safely in tight wall cavities, even with combustible materials like timber finishes nearby. This allows you to maintain your modern, streamlined design while ensuring safety is prioritized.

You can read more about the benefits of zero clearance fireplaces in this helpful Escea guide, which breaks down why they’re such a smart option for modern builds and renovations.

Always Check Your Specs

Even with a zero clearance model, it’s essential to check the manufacturer’s installation requirements for clearance and approved materials. Your builder or installer can help interpret these for your specific fireplace model and wall setup.

For more information about using Feature Panel around fireplaces, head to our FAQs page — we’ve covered everything you need to know to plan with confidence.