Fire surround?

[ukheather]

We currently have an outset fire that is sat on solid stone with no surround.

We were thinking of switching to an inset fire and wondered if we need a surround?

The current hearth is solid stone so can't really be removed and looking at surrounds, they are all too big to sit on it.

What is the purpose of the surround and backing board? Is it just to stop staining on the wall?

 

[JerryM]

relative had same problem and gone for wall hanging inset fire - looks the business and miles more space.

the surround "mantle" is not needed. the backing is needed to seal the fire to it and in the case of a wall hanging fire to mount it.