QA

How To Build A Fireplace Mantel From Scratch

How do you build a simple fireplace mantel?

How thick does a fireplace mantel need to be?

A depth of 7 inches is ideal for most mantels, as it allows plenty of room to accommodate decorative objects. Keep in mind that the top and the sides of the mantel should be the same depth.

How do you build a fireplace mantel beam?

Instructions: Step 1: Cut 45• miter cuts at each end on two of your 1x8x6 boards. Step 2: Glue and nail the boards in place. Step 3: Measure and cut your end caps to size. Step 4: Distress your beam. Step 5: Fill the wood seam with wood putty. Step 6: Sand your beam.

What type of wood is used for mantels?

Walnut is a popular choice for fireplace mantels. It is a harder and heavier type of wood than most and is extremely durable. The rich dark brown wood is an excellent for an impressive fireplace mantel. Hickory is also a great choice for a fireplace mantel if you are going for a unique look.

What is a floating mantel?

Our mantels are hollow on the inside, providing an easy alternative to solid wood mantels. Live grain end caps maintain the look of a solid piece of wood. Each mantel is hand crafted from reclaimed longleaf pine, providing a unique look and character that cannot be duplicated.

How far should a fireplace mantle stick out?

A mantel should stick out at least 6 inches (15.24cm) from the wall. It’s the perfect depth that allows you to have a mantle effectively deflect heat without compromising aesthetics. You can extend it to have more depth for your decorative pieces, but we don’t recommend having it less than 6 inches (15.24cm).

How tall is the average fireplace mantel?

Standard Mantel Height Again, “proper” height is relatively subjective to your fireplace, but average or standard fireplace mantel height construction is around 54” above the hearth’s floor.

How far does a fireplace stick out?

It depends on the unit, but if we are talking a good quality EPA zero-clearance fireplace like the BIS Traditions then figure the chase (indoor or out) to be around 26 to 28″ deep.

How do you build a floating mantel on a brick fireplace?

How to build a floating mantel (or shelf): Prep your surface. For me, that meant staining our fireplace white beforehand. Create mantel support. Create a hollow box for your mantel. Finish the mantel. Attach your shelf support onto the brick. Fit your mantel onto the mantel support. Style your finished mantel!.

Can you use timber for a fireplace mantel?

This reclaimed barn beam would be a true rustic fireplace mantel in your home or business. All mantels are surface washed and kiln dried, and have a variety of finish options and customizations to choose from. These solid wood timbers are cut to your specified length and finished with your preferred shade of finish.

Does Pine make a good mantel?

Woods to Avoid for a Fireplace Mantel Not all woods are suitable for fireplace mantel shelves. Softer woods like fir and pine look attractive when they have been sanded down and polished, but are known to crack easily with the passing of time.

Does cedar make a good mantel?

Cedar is a knotty softwood so it’s soft enough to work with easily but durable enough for a mantel shelf. Northern white cedar and aromatic red cedar is indigenous to North America and not endangered, so the wood is widely available in several forms suitable for mantel shelves.

Can you use a floating shelf as a mantle?

For those of you that haven’t opened up your Kreg Jig yes, this is a GREAT beginner project! The shelf is 60″ long making it a perfect mantle as well! I also think floating shelves are perfect for renters. Really you only leave a few screw holes in the wall that are very easy to fill and paint back over.

How do you size a mantle?

Measure the length, height, and width of the firebox and facing. A mantel should extend a minimum of 3 inches beyond the firebox opening. If the fireplace has facing around the opening, the mantel can also extend 3 or more inches beyond that.

How far above the mantle should a TV be mounted?

The rule of thumb is, if your mantel is less than four feet from the floor, you should mount your TV about 12 inches above it. This rule applies to a fireplace without a mantel as well.

How high should a wood mantle be above the fireplace?

As a general rule, the mantel is placed about 12 inches above the fireplace opening. Then adding an inch to the distance for every inch that the mantel protrudes. So a mantel 6 inches deep, would be attached 18 inches above the firebox opening.

Should mantel be wider than TV?

For the false wall options, generally there is a rule of thumb – always make sure the fireplace is wider than the TV. This allows the wall to frame the TV, while offering sleek lines for the edges of the fireplace. Having more space beyond the TV edges can sometimes make the TV look too small for the wall it is on.

How much wall space is needed for a fireplace?

You should make sure your fireplace location is at least 36 inches from a wall that lacks protection. You can reduce the clearance to 12 inches if you add a wall protector. The front and side of the unit should have a non-combustible extension.

How much should a hearth stick out?

So how far should a fireplace hearth come out? InterNACHI recommends that for fireplaces that have an opening of 6 square feet (0.56 square meters) or smaller, a hearth should extend at least 16 inches (406mm) out into the room from the opening, and by at least 8 inches (203mm) away from the sides.