Building a Fireplace Mantel

Every good design begins with a sketch and a plan. Take a look at your fireplace and the room it is in before you start; is the room and the fireplace country, classic, or modern in design? You are going to want your fireplace to coordinate with the style and size of your room. It can either blend into the background or be a great focal point that draws the attention of guests to its beauty and design.

Either way it's best to make this decision in advance which is where your mantel plan and sketch come in handy. Building a fireplace mantel can be a fun experience when you let your creativity flow. There are so many options to choose from like solid wood, crown moldings, painted wood, stained wood, ornate carvings to overlay the mantel and everything in between as well.

One last decision before you run out and purchase materials to begin building a fireplace mantel. Is your mantel going to be a singular shelf or surround your fireplace on all sides? You can build your mantel pieces so they all attach to the wall or construct it and then once completed install it as one piece.

Either way it will need to be sturdy enough to hold those precious mementos, heirlooms and other knickknacks that will rest upon it when completed. When sketching and designing think about the items you will want to put on your mantel and the depth needed to support them. The heavier the objects the heavier duty you are going to want to build your fireplace mantel.

Measurements in hand will make shopping for materials faster and easier because you will know what you need when you walk in the store. If you are building a fireplace mantel directly on the wall you can map it out directly on the wall with a level and light pencil markings to assist as you build.

This helps visualize the final placement and look. If you are going to paint or stain your mantel ensure that you finish it with a non-flammable and heat resistant product. Your fireplace will get hot and you don't want the radiant, rising heat to destroy all your hard work.

Building a fireplace mantel can be an inexpensive, weekend, family project that everyone can be take part in doing. There are many different types of fireplace mantels along with many ways to build them.

Choose the one that is right for your home, tastes and skill level. Don't be afraid to ask for help from friends or your local home improvement store too. Remember to plan, sketch, build and enjoy your new custom fireplace mantel.

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