Choosing the right finish for your Trendz Fireplace

Every Trendz fireplace starts its life as a solid concrete structure, designed to withstand New Zealand’s conditions and become the centrepiece of your outdoor living. But how it looks once installed comes down to the finish you choose. 

We offer three distinct finish options; bare concrete, paint & plaster, and board form concrete. Each has its own merits, depending on whether you want a clean, ready-to-go fireplace, a modern architectural statement, or a base you can customise further. 

Here’s a guide to help you understand the differences and choose the best option for your home. 

Bare Concrete – A base for customisation 

When a fireplace leaves our workshop in bare concrete, it’s essentially a blank canvas. Some customers initially expect it to be a finished look, but bare concrete is really intended as a base for cladding or finishing on site. 

Because of the nature of concrete and transport, bare concrete fireplaces often show natural colour variations, softer edges, and small chips - all completely normal. It’s not intended to be a polished finish but a foundation to build on. It's not intended that the fireplace is to be left in the bare concrete.  

Why choose bare concrete: 

• Lower upfront cost. 
• Flexibility to finish however you like. 
• Ideal if you have other trades already on site (e.g., an exterior plasterer).
  

Most common uses: 

• Schist (by far the most popular). 
• Brickwork or other stone cladding. 
• Built into a wall for a seamless look
  

Best suited for: Homeowners planning a fully customised look or wanting to match the fireplace to existing landscaping or building it into a structure. 

Paint & Plaster – Our most popular finish 

For most homeowners, paint & plaster is the go-to choice. That’s because it arrives  already finished, painted, and ready to enjoy within hours of installation. No extra trades, no extra steps. 

You’re not limited to a set range of colours either, we can finish your fireplace in any Dulux or Resene colour. That said, we often see people choosing timeless tones like; Flaxpod, Blackjack, Ironsand, Triple Sea Fog, and Kensington Grey. 

Why customers love it: 

• Arrives fully finished by the Trendz team. 
• Huge range of colour options. 
• A smooth, modern look that works with almost any home style. 

Design flexibility: 

• Paint & plaster suits everything from coastal retreats to traditional villas. 
• The model you choose often dictates the style direction: 
• Douglas – classic chimney shape, perfect for traditional homes and gardens. 
• Burton, Mini Burton, and Hudson – sleeker, modern profiles. 
• Burton/Mini Burton with corten steel woodboxes – a bold, industrial edge. 

Maintenance tip: Lighter paint colours look fantastic but may show soot over time if not brushed or washed down occasionally. 

Board Form Concrete – A textured, architectural statement 

Board form concrete is for those who want their fireplace to make a design statement. This premium finish is created using timber moulds that imprint texture into the concrete, giving it a raw yet refined look. 

It’s a finish that’s gaining momentum in modern landscaping, loved for its natural texture, architectural depth, and contemporary feel. 

Where it’s available: 

• Comes standard on our Single Peak and Twin Peak fireplaces. 
• Optional upgrade on the Burton, Mini Burton, and Hudson. 

Why choose it: 

• Premium, design-forward finish. 
• Complements modern homes, retaining walls, and landscaping. 
• Low-maintenance and long-lasting. 

Considerations: It’s our most expensive finish (outside of cladding a bare concrete fireplace in schist or stone), but the result is one-of-a-kind. 

Which finish is right for you?

• Bare Concrete: Best if you plan to clad or finish the fireplace yourself. 
• Paint & Plaster: Best all-rounder — ready to enjoy, any colour, works with all styles. 
• Board Form Concrete: Best for modern, design-led landscapes that call for texture and visual impact

Browse for Inspiration 

Still not sure which finish is right for you? The best way to decide is to see them in action. Browse our Inspiration Gallery to explore real Trendz fireplaces in homes across New Zealand and Australia. 

Whichever finish you choose, your Trendz fireplace will be built to last and designed to bring people together around the fire for years to come.