Fireplace mantels can provide an inexpensive way to add immediate value to a focal area in your home. A typical project can be completed within a few hours. So get started!

Traditional Wood Fireplace Mantel

Claire Classic Stone Mantel

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.

Fireplace Mantel Shelves

Mantel shelves available in several wood types including: Alder, Cherry, Douglas Fir, Hemlock, Maple, MDF, Oak, Pine, and Poplar and many different finishes are available to compliment each wood type. The designs vary from traditional to timber which is considered more of a rustic design. These shelves can come in standard or custom lengths, so the possibilities are virtually endless. If you are a ‘do-it-yourselfer’ you’ll find that fireplace mantel shelves are easy-to-install. In most cases, adjustable brackets are available to complement your selection.

Traditional Wood Mantels

If classic and timeless is your taste, a traditional wood mantel is a viable option for your home. Available in standard or custom sizes, each mantel is offered in Poplar for painting, Poplar, Pine, Maple, Red Oak, and Cherry for staining.

Cast Stone Mantels

Fireplaces no longer have to be constructed of wood. You can choose from many materials, including a variety of stone finishes and colors. Classic Stone Mantels (A MantelsDirect.com exclusive) are lightweight, and provide a quick and easy installation. Each stone mantel is fire resistant and allows for zero clearance from combustible material (no space required between firebox and mantel) making it the perfect choice for gas or wood fireplaces.

Marble Mantels

If you are looking for a unique Victorian-style surround, consider looking into a marble mantel. MantelsDirect.com offers the Imperial Selection of high quality, hand carved marble surrounds. The selection is available in a variety of fireplace opening sizes and return depths and four distinctive fireplace marble colors.

No matter what your style or price point, we recommend gathering lots of ideas and photos of features that appeal to you, and enjoy planning that focal point of warmth for your home.

Add a fresh look with flowers and greenery to your fireplace mantel surround. Arrange floral vases in a unique pattern to add color and dimension to a classic fireplace.

Turn your elegant stone mantel into an easel for your favorite piece of art. We recommend leaning or hanging a large painting for a dramatic effect.

Add a collection of old books, paintings, and antique accessories to a simple mantel shelf for added color and dimension. The key with this tip is have your decorative items appear as though they belong on your mantel – no need to have items displayed straight and narrow for this design, the more angles the more fun!

MantelsDirect offers quality wood mantel shelves, fireplace mantel surrounds, marble mantels, timber mantels, and cabinet mantels.

• Cast stone mantels are lightweight, easy to install, and much more affordable than traditional solid stone mantels. Stone mantels are fire resistant and allow for zero clearance from combustible material (no space required between firebox and mantel) making it the perfect choice for gas and wood fireplaces.
• Marble mantels are classically designed and will add a touch of elegance to any space. Marble mantels are available in a variety of sizes, designs, and colors.
• Traditional wood mantels create a statement of style and craftsmanship. MantelsDirect.com offers wood mantels in cherry, maple, and oak. Wood mantels are designed to overlap your facing material and provide a finished transition between wall, facing, and firebox. Wood mantels are easy to install with just a few tools and limited skill, you can quickly install your mantel kit.

Replacing your fireplace mantel is an easy, affordable, and a quick way to bring style and spark to your home. See real before and after pictures from our customers:

Before

After

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.

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!

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).