Upgrading or remodeling fireplace mantels is one of the most cost effective changes you can make to your home. In most cases, the hearth area is focal point and a gathering area for family and visitors. A fireplace mantel remodel typically involves the removal of the existing mantel, measuring for a newer model, selection and installation. Choices can include a wood or stone mantel and can also incorporate upgraded facing material including marble, granite or matching stone. MantelsDirect.com offers a simple step by step measuring and selection process that is supported by friendly experts that are on-call. Most models are offered in “kit” form that makes in easy enough for a homeowner or handyman to install in a stort time using step-by-step illustrated instructions. Consider reviewing our Pinterest channel for a whole host of ideas and before and after installations of fireplace mantels.

Unlike decorative accents such as picture frames or small vases, mantels are major assets and are often the primary showpiece of a room. Because of this, it is important to choose a mantel that fits in with your decor but also makes the right statement. With over 100 mantels and mantel shelf designs, plus a variety of finishes and custom sizing, Mantels Direct is sure to have the perfect fireplace mantel for your home.

Hampton Traditional Wood Mantel, shown in Poplar with white finish, Emperador Marron Marble facing kit

Traditional Wood Mantels Our wood fireplace mantels come in 5 unique collections. The Prestige Collection mantels are characterized by elegant fluting and detailed carvings that pair well with marble or granite facing kits. The Traditional Design Collection includes classic, versatile designs, and the Valueline Collection is composed of value-priced mantels in a variety of basic styles.  We offer adjustable Cabinet and Corner Mantels for unique needs and spaces.  Additionally, the handcrafted Timber Mantel Collection is perfect for a cabin or any rustic decor style.

Marble Fireplace Mantels  We offer 7 high quality imported marble fireplace mantels. Each marble fireplace is hand-sculpted by skilled master craftsmen. They are available in a variety of fireplace sizes and return depths, and they are available in white, black, beige and green marble.  These marble fireplace designs exude culture and class.

Stone Fireplace Mantels  Our stone fireplace mantels are true showpieces and exquisite additions to any room. The Majestic and Classic Series stone fireplace mantels offer over 50 beautiful designs ranging from simple to extravagant, and each is available in 8 stone colors.  They include options for facing, hearths and overmantels. The Builder Series and Standard Mantel Kits include hearths and offer simpler, budget-conscious designs. All of our stone fireplace mantels are lightweight, so installation is quick and simple.

Clark Stone Mantel Shelf

Mantel Shelf Designs  For those who are on a budget, have limited room, or just need extra shelf space, our mantel shelf designs are a great option. We offer traditional wood, Timber, and stone mantel shelves.  Ranging from traditional to contemporary in design, each mantel shelf is easy to install, and each wood and Timber mantel shelf is available in custom lengths.  Many are also available in custom U and corner shapes.

No matter your style and budget, one of our mantels will be a perfect match for your home.  Want more information? View our previous post, and then explore your options at MantelsDirect.com.

In April, we discussed three advantages of a cast stone fireplace mantel.  It is simple to install, is available in a variety of colors and stone finishes, and comes in styles to complement any decor.  Today, we’re going to share the four style series in our cast stone fireplace mantels collection.  Each series in the cast stone mantels collection carries a unique style and personality and has numerous options to make it your own.

Majestic Series The Majestic Series of custom-size cast stone fireplace surrounds is our most elegant collection of timeless European stone mantel designs. The scale and detail of this mantel series is exceptional. The beautiful custom facing, along with optional hearths and overmantels, will enhance the fireplace mantel and create a unique focal point for your home.

Classic Series The Classic Series cast stone fireplace surrounds are hand-crafted stone mantels inspired by European designs. Each stone mantel has variations in color and finish that capture the true essence of natural stone. Optional matching surround facing, hearths and overmantels  are available for this collection and are sized to fit your specific situation.  The Claire stone mantel is the most popular item in this series; it is created using a strong composite stone mantel material and is a beautiful accent to a living room or den.

Standard Series Kits These cast stone mantels are available for immediate shipment in a Limestone color. Each stone mantel comes complete with hearth and adjustable facing panels that allow for both small and large firebox openings. The Standard Series Stone Mantel Kits are great choices for a contemporary decor style.

From the Standard Series, this Craig Mantel is shown in the Natural Stone Finish.

Builders Series Kits Our Builder Series Kits are an economical way to have a terrific-looking stone mantel. These simple American cast stone fireplace mantels can be installed quickly with little effort.  The Builders Series Kits include adjustable legs, header facing panel and hearth.

Mantels Direct takes pride in offering fireplace mantels to fit all styles, needs and budgets.  For this week’s post, we compiled a short list of some of the most creative spaces to install our fireplace mantels and shelves.

In the Nursery, in the Kitchen (or any any room on any wall) Modern electric fireplace technology offers safe-to-the-touch heating options. You can now provide the soft glow and warmth of an electric fireplace mantel package. Set-up is simple and no venting or special wiring is necessary. Just plug in and enjoy the flickering flames and the on demand heat option.

On the Patio Mantels and shelves look great above an outdoor fireplace such as the Napoleon Outdoor Gas Fireplace Insert or any of our Rockwood Outdoor Fireplace Kits.  Our line of Timber Fireplace Mantels offers a rustic, natural feel that is the perfect addition to your outdoor fireplace.

Above an Entryway Fireplace mantel shelves such as the Madison or Hunter Fireplace Shelf models look fantastic above an entryway. If you are thinking of installing a mantel shelf in this space, you’ll want to order a custom shelf size to ensure that it fits into the entryway seamlessly.

Mantels Direct customer Pat Todaro installed a Madison Custom Mantel Shelf above this entryway. How creative!

Part of the fun of purchasing a new fireplace mantel from Mantels Direct is decorating it once it’s been installed.  Here are five creative suggestions to keep in mind when planning your mantel decor:

Make it seasonal. The fireplace mantel is a natural family gathering place that is easy to reach and accessorize, making it a great spot to celebrate the season. Reflect an upcoming holiday with simple touches such as lining the mantel’s edge with seasonally-appropriate ribbon, or placing holiday items like ornaments or Easter eggs in a tall, clear vase.  Another way to add a seasonal touch to your mantel decor is to incorporate accents from nature.  For example, welcome summer by enhancing your mantel with seashells, starfish, and a lantern.  Also consider purchasing a natural timber mantelto achieve a year-round natural look.

Timber mantels make for wonderful holiday decorating in the right setting.

Embrace the fire, even in the summer. Just because it’s summertime does not mean that you have to ditch the fire.  With most electric fireplaces, you have the option to activate the beautiful flame feature without the heat.  These products provide four-season enjoyment and have options to fit every style and budget. So remember to light your electric fireplace to complement the mantel and add a soft, welcoming ambiance to your home.

Try layering. Layering the decor on your mantel is easy to do and works on just about anything, whether it is frames, candles, vases, or other accessories. The trick is choosing items that represent a variety of sizes and share some characteristic such as color family or basic shape. Then, place (or lean) the smaller, more detailed accessories in front of the larger, plainer items. This picture demonstrates how proper layering can transform a cluster of objects into a lovely, consistent design.

Be bold. Use the fireplace mantel to make a statement and set a fun tone for the rest of the house.  The simplest way to do this is to use bold colors.  For example, frame the mantel with an orange and yellow wallpaper, or paint vintage vases a bright blue and set them on a contrasting white mantel.  You can even paint the mantel itself! Purchase an unfinished mantel shelf from Mantels Direct (select “unfinished” option at checkout) and color it however you’d like.  Be sure to coat it with a protective sealant once it’s been painted.

Get personal. Your mantel is a centerpiece of your home, so use it to tell your personal story.  Incorporate vintage family photos, frame heirloom jewelry, or place a stack of favorite books on the shelf’s corner. These possibilities are endless, and they give an instant dose of character to your fireplace mantel.

With the summer renovation season quickly approaching, many homeowners are searching for a way to add beauty and value to their homes. Ironically, the warming of outside temperatures every summer ensures that prospective renovators often overlook remodeling one of the most valuable heating elements of their home, their fireplace. A fireplace mantel upgrade can add thousands of dollars in value to a home and are highly valued by almost every consumer looking to purchase a new house. One of the best ways to add to this value is by installing a cast stone fireplace as part of your summer renovation plans. With this in mind, this post list 3 advantages stone fireplaces can offer consumers who are looking to complete a fireplace remodel.

A Beautiful Stone Fireplace Installation

1. The first advantage of remodeling with a cast stone fireplace is the ease of installation. Cast stone fireplaces are much lighter than traditional stone or marble mantels, allowing for an easy installation that can be completed in a single afternoon. These stone fireplaces are made by utilizing old-world techniques, ensuring top of the line quality is produced with every single unit.

2. The second advantage of these stone fireplaces is the variety of colors and finishes that are available with cast stone. Cast stone fireplaces come in a variety of colors including olive, chocolate and taupe. Depending on your color selection, each mantel is available in a variety of finishes including Natural Stone and Honed. With this many options to choose from, it is clear that cast stone mantels can be customized to fit almost anyone’s interior design taste.

Color Variety Available With Cast Stone Mantels

3. A final advantage of Cast Stone Mantels is the variety of styles that are available to consumers. For home owners looking for a more contemporary or ornate style of mantel, the Majestic Series includes some excellent options. Mantels like the Innsbruck Style fit seamlessly into formal spaces, while units such as the Palermo Style are a great choice for a more modern room. For consumers looking for a more traditional, simplistic style of mantel, the Classic Series of cast stone fireplaces is sure to offer plenty of options that can suit your design needs.

With the variety of colors and styles available and the ease with which they can be installed, cast stone fireplaces can make a perfect summer renovation project for home owners looking to add some value to their home.

Nothing adds to the permanent and beautiful nature of fireplaces like stone. A cast stone mantel from Mantels Direct offers ease of installation and an appearance that makes your fireplace look as though it has been in place for a hundred years. Adding a stone fireplace is a fantastic way to renovate your home and can add hundreds of dollars in value to what might once have been an ugly, unused corner of your house. With the easy installation and great prices of cast stone, there is no reason consumers cannot have the stone fireplace of their dreams.

There is a common misconception that renovating a mantle has to be a complex and lengthy enterprise requiring the knowledge of a master contractor and the strength of a dozen men. Fortunately, for those of us who have neither of these qualities at our disposal, there is a relatively simple solution that can give our living rooms the renovation needed. Cast stone mantels perfectly merge the look and feel of traditional solid stone while remaining relatively lightweight and easy to install.

Because of the process which is used to create these mantels they remain manageable to install, allowing for a homeowner or handyman to complete the installation.  With a few common household tools a cast stone mantel can easily be installed in a single afternoon. Cast stone provides the perfect balance between strength, durability and easy installation. They are fire resistant and durable enough to hold up any conceivable mantle decoration yet they are easily installed and provide the texture and organic look of stone.

A Beautiful Stone Fireplace Installation

In addition, cast stone mantels also come in a variety of styles, ensuring that they can be used in a large variety of homes and settings. Models such as the Chelsea offer a more subtle style while more ornate models such as the Venetian can add  to the formal nature of almost any living space.

Regardless of the style you choose, there is no denying that a cast stone mantel is the perfect option for anyone looking to complete a stone fireplace renovation.

Fireplace mantles represent the center point of almost every home. Fireplace mantles are considered by many to be a place of gathering, a central spot in the home for a family to gather around the warmth of a fire. They represent in many ways, a time before families gathered around televisions or even radios, a time when conversation drove family relationships. It is hard not to picture family when one thinks of a mantle. We think of stockings hanging above a fire on Christmas Eve or a group of friends chatting about the passing days as they sit in their formal living room. A spot to sit around with the people who are important to us and talk without the distractions of the technological world.

For many people who wish to upgrade their existing fireplace the task of putting in a fireplace mantle seems daunting, but the process can actually be quite simple. When trying to decide what type of mantle one wishes to put into their home the sheer variety of fireplace mantles can be intimidating. What type of material are you interested in, stone, marble or a wood mantel? What style best suits your home? Are you looking for a more contemporary style or a more traditional look? All of these questions can seem daunting, however, a mantle can provide a central focal point for a home that is unique and unlike any other piece of furniture. Fireplace mantles represent a place to gather, which is one of the most important aspects of a home. Above all things, most people want their home to be welcoming and inviting, fireplace mantles are an important component for creating that environment.

There is a common perception that fireplace mantles have to be professionally installed and that installations must involve many hours of hard labor. The fact of the matter is, most fireplace mantles can be installed very easily by ordinary individuals in a single afternoon. Whether you are looking to install cast stone, marble or traditional wood, a fireplace mantle can be installed by following the few simple steps found here.  Not to be forgotten, one of the most crucial aspects of fireplace mantles are the fireplace facing kits. These marble, granite, limestone or travertine accents provide the perfect compliment to any traditional wood mantle.

Heritage Mantle with Red Mahogany Finish and a Verde Oriental Dark Marble Facing Kit

A fireplace is naturally the focal point of any room. By adding a few unique touches you will make it pop even more. Our fireplace mantel experts have provided a few tips for creating a warm, inviting space to enjoy!

Start with color: Use your fireplace mantel as a place to showcase your favorite color. A collection of candles or decorative vases will pop against a neutral background. Be bold with layering and position a small piece of art over a large piece.

Use the Seasons as inspiration: Add a few mini pumpkins, pinecones, and faux to give your home an autumn touch. Adding items that are meaningful to you only adds to your room’s ambiance.

Simplicity is key: Mantels Direct offers a variety of elegant and beautifully designed fireplace mantels. If you have a bold mantel we recommend decorating with simple touches. A framed mirror is a quick and easy way to add to your room’s ambiance without looking cluttered.

Add a custom flare: A granite or marble surround can complete your fireplace; choose from a variety of colors and designs.

MantelsDirect offers a complete selection of fireplace mantel surrounds and mantel shelves including Wood Mantels, Fireplace Mantel Shelves, Thin Cast Stone Fireplace Mantels, Cast Stone Mantels and Marble Mantels. We also offer a select collection of granite, marble, and travertine fireplace surround facing kits that complement our fireplace surrounds. In most cases, our mantels fit a variety of firebox dimensions. We can also create a custom fireplace mantel sized to fit most special situations.

Considering remodeling your home? We recommend replacing an older or outdated fireplace mantel to update the look of an entire living space. Even if you are not an expert craftsman, you can anticipate completing this project within a few hours. Considering that the enjoyment you’ll get from your new mantel will last for years to come, it would be time well-spent.

Here is a list of items you will need in order to complete the job:

• Pry bar / Crowbar
• Tape Measure
• Level
• Saw
• Drill with Masonry bit
• Lag Sleeves and bolts
• Hammer / Nails
• Ledger board (2 x 2 inches)

Step 1: Out With The Old!

Using your crowbar or a pry bar, carefully remove the mantel from the bricks or wall it is fastened to. In most cases, fireplace mantels are usually locked together with glue and wooden pegs. Progress little by little to avoid cracking or damaging the bricks or wall to which the mantel is attached.

Step 2: Measure

The next step is to measure the width and the depth of the old mantel with your tape measure. These measurements will be used to determine the measurements of your new mantel. So remember, measure carefully! If you are planning on installing a surround mantel or wrap-around mantel, make sure to adjust your measurements accordingly.

Step 3: Install the Support Ledger

Now you will need to measure the width of the fireplace opening, and cut a 2 x 2-inch piece of ledger board to match. Position the support ledger at the desired height and level it. Drill the pilot holes in the support ledger board completely through the other side. You’ll need to put in the lag sleeves into the ledger board and screw in the lag screws with your drill or electric screwdriver.

Step 4: Prepping the New Mantel

After installing the support ledger brace board, place the mantel alongside the stone, brick or wall. Line up the new mantel so that it is in the center of the support wall and the fireplace opening, and to where it rests upon the support ledger board.

Step 5: Installing The Mantel to the Support Ledger Board

After you have properly positioning the mantel with the support ledger board and fireplace opening, secure it by nailing the mantel directly to the ledger board.

Step 6: Locking the Mantel

Remember to always follow the manufacturer’s instruction for installing the mantel to the bricks or wall. Normally, this process includes either glue and pegs or lag bolts and sleeves. Prior to securing the mantel to the support bricks or support wall, check to ensure that the mantel is level. If not, adjust accordingly.

Congratulations! You have now completed the final step of the installation process. Now the only thing left is to clean up, sit back and enjoy your new fireplace mantel.