Ideally, your fireplace and mantel system should complement the design of your home, as the mantel is often the key focal point of a room, if not the entire house. We like to think of a mantel surround as a three-sided picture frame and the brick, stone, or tile fireplace surround that surrounds the fireplace opening can be thought of as a rug within the frame. For the past 30 years, fireplaces were commonly built with a plain brick face (facing) and there may not even have been a mantel, or if there was a mantel, it could be a plain frame mantel or mantel shelf that needs a makeover. Fireplaces like this one allow you to start from scratch to design a look you love and fit in with your home decor!
When considering replacing or upgrading your mantelpiece, we suggest you consider renovating the fireplace front as well. As shown in most images of fireplace mantel systems, wood mantels surrounding wood-burning fireplaces typically have a noncombustible lining (e.g., tile, brick, stone, marble, or granite) that it completes the design both aesthetically and aesthetically. security point of view. Most damaged, chipped, stained, outdated or uninspired fireplace surrounds can be easily removed or covered with something more attractive and when paired with a new mantel it can really style your space!
Fire codes vary across the country, but most require five to six or more inches of noncombustible lining between the opening of a wood burning firebox and the leg of a wood shelf, and codes generally require ten to twelve inches of noncombustible lining. between the top of a wood-burning fireplace opening and the bottom of the headboard of a wood mantel. In addition to lining the wall around the chimney opening, wood-burning fireplaces require a noncombustible hearth that extends out 18 to 20 inches deep from the chimney and 8 or more inches on each side of the chimney opening. fireplace. Always check local building codes regarding minimum clearances!
Keep in mind that gas or electric fireplaces generally require less wall cladding around the opening than wood-burning fireplaces, and the fireplace’s owner’s manual (or its manufacturer) can provide information on minimum clearance. (The authorization information is sometimes detailed on a label or sticker affixed to the fireplace itself.) TIP: For optimal aesthetic appeal, we recommend that gas or electric fireplaces also have several inches of liner between the fireplace opening and the mantel and a stone fireplace in the deck below the fireplace! This will help make it look more like a natural wood burning fireplace.
Granite Fireplace Cladding is popular because of the variety of colors available and because it is much more durable than most marble or ceramic tile. Additionally, granite is much more stain resistant than other stones and can bring luxurious, color-coordinated design to your home. Popular granite veneer colors include: absolute black, cinnamon brown, shimmer pebble green, and golden sand, and there are others as well.
Granite full slabs (vs. 9″ x 9″ or 12″ x 12″ slabs) are preferred by most homeowners and interior decorators and designers, as full slabs provide a custom front system. to the fireplace without the need for individual tiles and grout joints that you would have with square tiles. Most granite veneer kits are available in at least two sizes, and custom cutting services are usually offered to get the right size. Standard liner sets typically include four pieces, a headboard, two legs, and a large hearth for the floor. Optional risers are also available for use in situations where the bottom of the fireplace opening is raised above the floor/hearth.
How is granite fireplace mantel installed? For a complete fireplace remodel, many homeowners will simply use construction adhesive (one specifically labeled for masonry applications) to apply a new marble, granite, or stone veneer right on top of the existing brick. Others will remove some or all of the existing surface before installing new veneer stone. After laying the new fireplace surround, you can install a new wood mantel on the wall. Most fireplace mantels are designed to overlap the outside edges of a stone veneer for a clean/professional installation and for a truly designed, updated look!
Many fireplace mantel sources offer multiple designs of wood fireplace mantels, usually divided into collections based on general pricing guidelines, priced from $400 to $2000 or more. Mantelpieces can usually be ordered in your choice of wood (suitable for painting, such as poplar or birch) or, if you prefer to see the natural beauty of the wood grain, you can get many mantelpieces in maple, cherry, mahogany, walnut, etc. or oak wood. Sometimes you also have the option of ordering your mantel unfinished (to be finished on site during or after installation) or for a modest increase, many online retailers will professionally finish your mantel at the factory with a wide selection of finish colors.
Some retailers offer only standard sizes, but the best sites will also offer custom sizes to fit the width, height, and depth of your stone veneer. The outside edges of the siding typically overlap/cover the inside edges of the wood mantel and any gaps between the siding and the back of the leg are neatly and professionally concealed after installing the trim that is included with the mantel .
You can be sure your mantel will fit if you go with a reputable company that will provide a line-dimensional drawing of your custom mantel before they charge you or start building your mantel. Nearly twenty years of experience has helped Design The Space develop a nearly foolproof system for designing and building the right size fireplace for our customers. If you provide us with all requested fireplace dimensions, we guarantee that we will design a mantel to fit your space.
If your fireplace is different and doesn’t seem to match any of the “regular” illustrations, fill out the form to the best of your ability and send in a few photos. As we all know, a picture is worth a thousand words! We’ve built mantels for just about every situation and would be happy to work with you on your project, as there are likely to be a variety of mantel design solutions for your unique fireplace.