The fireplace mantel is the focal point of my family room, I want classic features I know will stand the test of time.  As I familiarize myself with the terms used to describe parts of a mantle, I come across “over mantel”. Over mantels are decorative structures, originally constructed of plasterwork or carved wood, basically a mantel set on top of the horizontal shelf of the bottom. The upper mantel may often be found having an ornamental panel with a mirror or painting in the center area.

I would love to introduce these classic features but am sure plasterwork or commissioning hand carved woodwork cost prohibitive; not to mention the challenge of locating skilled craftsman in my hometown. Cast stone is a masonry product used as an architectural feature, which is an excellent replacement for natural cut stone. Classic Cast Stone Mantels call upon renaissance details adapting over mantels to add to the interest of the mantel shelf, hearth and fireplace mantel surround facings. That oil painting once found in the center panel of the overmantel would have to be replaced by a flat screen television. A niche, 16th century recess introduced into the design especially for a statue, can be fashioned within an over mantel to accommodate our t.v. Cast stone crown molding could be customized to coordinate with the fireplace for our new mantel and over mantel.

Overmantels seem to be most commonly found in homes that have ceilings of ten feet or more because rooms with tall ceilings can definitely support the visual impact of an overmantel. This classic architecture really appeals to me, but I eight foot ceilings.  If you want this look too but don’t have tall ceilings either, don’t lose heart.  Custom fireplace mantel designs with over mantels are an option with fully customizable widths and heights, made to order, based on dimensions dictated by your home. Deb is the MantelsDirect.com cast stone expert and an excellent resource for questions about cast stone fireplace mantels.  Adding details to my fireplace mantel will enhance the architecture of my room, plus the introduction of an over mantel would definitely achieve the ‘wow’ from anyone who enters the room.

Our Exclusive line of Sized-to-Fit Classic Stone Mantels set a new standard for
easy-to-install Cast Stone Mantels.

(Warwick Cast Stone Mantel – Save $200 in July!)

Cast stone is defined by the Cast Stone Institute as “a masonry product that provides ornamental or functional features to buildings and other structures. Cast Stone is made from fine and coarse aggregates, Portland cement, mineral oxide color pigments, chemical admixtures and water”. Cast Stone products are versatile; they can resemble any color and give the appearance of a variety of natural building stones including but not limited to limestone, granite, slate, travertine or marble. Applications for Cast Stone range from the simplest windowsills to the most complicated architectural elements.

What does this mean when applied to a fireplace mantel?  It means you can have a custom stone mantel at a fraction of the cost that is easy to install and can be shipped directly to you. Cast stone fireplace mantels come in a variety of colors and finishes. Explore our cast stone website and we’ll ship you samples for free!

The Bellevue Cast Stone mantel is one of our Special Purchase Value Kits. The Bellevue is in stock (in Limestone) and ready for immediate shipment. The highly refined cast stone process simulates natural stone and is virtually indistinguishable from quarried Limestone.

Act now! Only a few left in stock – ready to ship. Our popular Kingston and Vanderbilt models have temporarily sold out!

We have recently introduced a great selection of affordable Cast Stone Mantels. Available in 4 Natural Stone colors, each of the twenty designs is lightweight and is easy to install. These mantels can be installed by the average homeowner using construction adhesive.

Matching adjustable facing panels are available. These three piece facing kits fit in a cavity behind the mantel legs allowing them to slide to fit most firebox sizes. Three piece hearths add a great finishing touch.

Why we like these cast stone mantels: I was first attracted to these mantels because of the great looking natural stone surface – I don’t think there is any better (at any price).

We are hard at work putting the finishing touches on a new series of Cast Stone Mantels. This new series features an exclusive group of “Lite” cast mantels that are lightweight, easy to install and offer tremendous value over traditional stone mantels. Each mantel is available “sized-to-fit”, based on your room and firebox dimensions. We are offering four Stone Finishes (Natural, Limestone, Buff and Taupe) as well as three Polished or Honed Finishes (Sahara, Sahara Veined and Chocolate). Overmantels are optional with several to choose from. Check out a sample of these new designs below:

Thin cast stone mantels offer many exceptional advantages including unlimited design choices, many colors and finishes, simple installation and tremendous value. Each mantel has variations in color and texture that captures the true essence of natural stone. Because these thin cast stone mantels are lightweight, preparation and installation are much easier and much less costly than traditional solid stone mantels. Special wall and floor reinforcement is not necessary for the easy installation of this stone mantel. Each stone mantel is fire resistant and allows for zero clearance from combustible material (no space required between firebox and this mantel material or surround facing).