Fireplace surrounds facing kits, whether they be granite, marble or slate are relatively simple to install. There are 3 steps to following in order to successfully complete your job. Prior to starting, you will need the following items: a pencil, Micore Board (available at MantelsDirect.com), 2-3 10.3 Fl. Oz. Leech F-26 Waterproof Construction Adhesive (available at MantelsDirect.com) and a tape measure.

Step 1: Installing The Hearth

Using the Micore board or a similar product to create a buffer between the hearth and floor, carefully place the hearth on the Micore with the marble, granite or slate facing the firebox, polished side up. Position it in the center it on the Micore so no additional movement is needed. Apply the waterproof construction adhesive around the perimeter of the hearth; leaving two places for handholds, then a few “zig-zag” lines down the center. Ensure that you are not allowing any voids around the perimeter that would cause a corner to break if someone stepped on it. Quickly but gently lower the hearth; this is the most critical time of the installation, as the weight of the marble can cause it to crack if held flat for any length of time.

Step 2: Adding The Facing Legs

Measure the firebox for the legs, and check both sides to ensure you are fitting them correctly. There is always a possibility you may have to cut the legs differently. Once you have the accurate measurements, cut the legs as needed. MantelsDirect.com recommends using a PY 007 dry cut marble blade because it will give you the best cut. Tape the marble with several strips of quality masking tape to protect the marble from scratches. Make sure to start your cut at the polished edge, if there is a chip caused by the blade it will be on the unfinished edge, which is normally hidden by the mantle leg. Cut with the polished side of the marble up.

Step 3:  Install your facing header and optional riser

Apply the recommended adhesive on the back of the header and place into position. It is usually acceptable if your header extends beyond the outside of each leg. MantelsDirect.com’s fireplace mantels are intended to overlap facing material and can hold up to 5″ on each side in most situations.

Fireplace surround facing kits do vary from one another, so make sure to always read the instructions carefully that come with your kit. MantelsDirect.com has many kits to choose from and their customer service representatives are experts on helping out customers pick out the right kit for their job.

Have you noticed FOR SALE signs popping up all over town? Now that the school year is winding down, this is a great time to get your home listed. First impressions are crucial because studies have shown that most buyers make a decision about a house within 15 seconds of walking in the door! I wanted to share a few more thoughts on home staging in a competitive real estate market.

Experienced real estate agents will give staging tips that include cleaning until your home is spotless, next declutter, followed by depersonalizing. You may have taken the photos off the refrigerator, hidden stacks of paper from your desk and freshened up with a new coat of paint.  Look past your furniture, art and fireplace screen, it’s the bones of the house that must have a draw to the buyers.

Homes with strong architectural details add interest and anchor the home in a period or style. These features include crown molding, the stairwell and fireplace mantel. As you walk into a room the eye is drawn to the focal point, most commonly the fireplace mantel. To declutter and freshen up the mantel fireplace is one of the biggest staging tips I could give. A fireplace make-over project could include refacing the fireplace surround and installing a new mantel shelf. Fireplace mantels can be designed to overlap your existing facing material and provide a completely new custom look. Remodeling the fireplace mantel is completely adaptable keeping staging to sell and the home improvement upgrade within your budget. Think of this as an investment in your home. You may find illustrated measuring instructions or an installation guide helpful in deciding fireplace mantels that would best stage your home for buyers.

Enhancing the architectural elements of the fireplace mantel, as  your room’s primary focal point, will add to the overall home value, get it staged to sell and impact your showings. Staging is a short term marketing tool focused on the showing keeping the end goal in mind: SOLD!

Real estate staging helps a home seller make their home more attractive and appealing to potential buyers. The goal of staging is to make your home look its best while on the market. This may include repositioning furniture, adding plants or a new rug. While these elements create a warm attractive atmosphere, the buyer will look beyond these soft furnishings to the bones of the house. An investment into the home’s architectural features could have an immediate impact when that buyer walks into the door. Features like crown molding, built-in cabinetry and fireplace mantels are features that remain when your rug is rolled up and moved out.

Studies show staged homes sell for more money than un-staged homes. Where could a short term investment in your home have the greatest impact? The first step is getting buyers to actually come to see your house. Staged houses look better on the MLS pictures. Naturally these photos of your home would include a living or family room. The fireplace mantel is the focal point within a space that draws the eye and makes your home stand out. Beef up or update the mantel fireplace and surround could be what makes your home memorable during a showing.

Review competing listings and compare your fireplace mantel to others found inside homes in your market. This may help determine the extent of work the fireplace mantel needs. Out with the old shiny brass fireplace accessories. A new updated fireplace screen may be the only staging needed. A do-it-yourself update of the fireplace mantel shelf, replacing the facing on the fireplace mantel surround or complete remodel of the wood fireplace mantel with the help of a contractor may be in order. Putting a little work toward to stage your home and make-over the fireplace mantel may be what gives your home the edge over competing properties.

Timber frame construction is often seen in period homes and lodges, so appealing it is increasingly being used in newer homes. Incorporating the natural elements of rustic decor into your home will balance out the modern elements such as home electronics and kitchen appliances. Introducing the contrast of a rustic fireplace mantel to the smooth, thin, shiny elements is what prevents your room from being too serious or boring. Post and beam style mantels and shelves, proudly made in America by a family owned company with three decades of experience, are available in four types of solid wood. I am thrilled to see craftsman producing mortise and tenon joinery, secured with oak pegs, still exists.  Specially formulated finishes that they use definitely enhance and protect the character and natural color of the wood, whether you select Douglas Fir, Hemlock, Oak or White Pine. A solid wood fireplace mantel combines perfectly with river rock or stacked stone, easily found at your local home and garden store. Other natural stones such as granite, marble or travertine would be suitable facing; these kits could be shipped to your door, along with the timber mantel. You need a few simple tools and basic skills to install the rock surround facing and wood fireplace mantel, bringing texture from the outdoors into your fireplace mantel surround.We also have a variety of wooden fireplace mantels in addition to these timber fireplace mantels and rustic fireplace shelves. Home interiors have glass, mirror and now granite and stainless steel seems to be the “go to” surface choices. These hard edged materials call out for textural relief found in a rustic wood fireplace mantel.  We can have the guys in the shop begin cutting and prepping materials for your fireplace mantel today.

The fireplace area is generally a focal point in a home. Updating your fireplace facing with a marble or granite kit is one of the quickest and most cost effective ways to add value to this important area. Our fireplace facing kits are made up of 4 pieces of marble or granite including two legs, one header, and a hearth (optional risers are available). Kits are easily installed with construction adhesive.

One of the quickest and most cost effective upgrades that you can make to your home is a new fireplace facing kit combined with a wood fireplace mantel. Facing kits are precut and are made of marble, granite, travertine or slate. The kits are easily installed using construction adhesive and can be placed over existing brick, drywall or almost any substrate. Our wood fireplace mantel kits can be put together in a few minutes and slide over (and overlap) the facing kit. Once the mantel is secured to the wall, you will have completed your project!

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