Mantel Size: The height, depth and width of the mantel is important. When selecting a fireplace mantel, consider the style and size of the room. You don’t want the mantel to overpower the fireplace or the room. A large surround works best in a large room.
How do you pick a mantel?
A mantel with a 6” Face Height can stand its ground in a large home, however, it can overpower a smaller space. If you have a smaller space, we recommend a mantel that has a 4-5” Face Height. Mantel Depth: Consider the amount of traffic that happens around the fireplace.
How do you know what size mantel to buy?
Your mantel should be wider than your fireplace. Typically, a mantel should be a minimum of 3 inches past the firebox on each side. However, more can be better. The average mantel is approximately 6 inches wider than the fireplace on either side, and some can be even wider.
Should a fireplace mantel be wider than the fireplace?
Size It Up The mantel should not be shorter than the length of the fireplace, and should leave at least 3 feet above the mantel for decor. … A 42-inch fireplace will probably have a mantel width of 54 inches. The mantel should not be so wide that it reaches anything else, like a wall, window or door.How wide should a mantle be on a fireplace?
The recommended width for a mantel is 6 inches (15.24cm) wider on both sides. So, if your fireplace is 36 inches (91.44cm), your mantle should be at least 48 inches (121.92cm) wide. Whether you want to install pilasters or not, you’ll need to have the same width for your fireplace mantle.
What is standard mantel height?
Standard Mantel Height Again, “proper” height is relatively subjective to your fireplace, but average or standard fireplace mantel height construction is around 54” above the hearth’s floor.
How do you measure a fireplace mantel?
Shelf Depth: Measure the depth of the wood fireplace mantel from the front edge to the wall. Total Height: Measure the height of the wood fireplace mantel from the top of the hearth or the floor to the bottom of the mantel shelf. Total Width: Measure the entire width of the fireplace surround from end to end.
How far above fireplace should mantle be?
As a general rule, it’s important to mount the mantle an average of 12 inches over the fireplace opening, which is a general rule from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) to ensure it’s up to code. The mantle can also be 4 1/2 feet above the floor.How far should a mantle stick out?
The proportions of your mantel in relationship to your fireplace are important. Generally, your mantel should extend a minimum of three inches beyond the opening of your fireplace. For reference, if you have a 36-inch fireplace, you’l likely want a mantel width of 48 inches.
How thick is a mantle?Below the crust is the mantle, a dense, hot layer of semi-solid rock approximately 2,900 km thick. The mantle, which contains more iron, magnesium, and calcium than the crust, is hotter and denser because temperature and pressure inside the Earth increase with depth.
Article first time published onWhat is the average width of a fireplace?
Standard Fireplace Surround Dimensions Most fireplaces are 42 inches wide, while some smaller fireplaces can have as little as a width of 36 inches. Some somewhat bigger fireplaces can even be 48 inches wide. With the height, generally, a mantle should at least be 12 inches above the opening.
What kind of wood do you use for a fireplace mantel?
Walnut is a popular choice for fireplace mantels. It is a harder and heavier type of wood than most and is extremely durable. The rich dark brown wood is an excellent for an impressive fireplace mantel. Hickory is also a great choice for a fireplace mantel if you are going for a unique look.
How high above fireplace should mantle be?
As a general rule, the mantel is placed about 12 inches above the fireplace opening. Then adding an inch to the distance for every inch that the mantel protrudes. So a mantel 6 inches deep, would be attached 18 inches above the firebox opening.
Is my mantle too high?
Mantel Height From The Top Of The Firebox If your mantel is too close to the flames, you risk catching the mantel and anything on or near it on fire. A mantel that is at least 12 inches above the opening of the fireplace should be high enough away from the flames to keep you, your family, and your house safe.
What is the average depth of a fireplace mantel?
Depth: A typical mantel depth is 6 to 7 inches. This allows you to place decorative items on the mantel top. A mantel with a smaller depth may lose its presence and be disproportional to the fireplace. The depth of the mantel shouldn’t be too deep, however, since heat can become trapped and damage the mantel.
Why do fireplaces have mantles?
Why Do Fireplaces Have Mantels? The purpose of a fireplace mantel was traditionally to catch smoke before it entered the room from the firebox of an open fireplace, but mantels in more modern times are used primarily for decorative and aesthetic purposes.
What does the mantle look like?
In grade-school science textbooks, Earth’s mantle is usually shown in a yellow-to-orange gradient, a nebulously defined layer between the crust and the core. To geologists, the mantle is much more than that. It’s a region somewhere between the cold crust and the bright heat of the core.
What color is the mantle?
The Earth is divided into three main layers. The dense, hot inner core (yellow), the molten outer core (orange), the mantle (red), and the thin crust (brown), which supports all life in the known universe.
What are 5 facts about the mantle?
- The mantle makes up 84% of Earth’s volume.
- The mantle extends from 35-2980 kilometers below Earth’s surface.
- The mantle is mostly solid rock. …
- The mantle ranges in temperatures from 200 to 4000 degrees Celsius.
- Convection currents in the mantle drive plate tectonics.
Can a fireplace be too big for a room?
Regardless of heat output or TV size, the size of the fireplace should suit the size of the room. A small fireplace will be lost in a large space. Likewise, a large fireplace could overpower a tiny room. However, we see clients going too small far more often than going too big.
Are fireplace inserts standard size?
Fireplace Insert Sizes Fireplace inserts are not one-size-fits-all. They must be the right dimensions for your particular space, so measure the height, width and depth of your fireplace from the back wall to the front opening. … The larger the room, the more heat you’ll want it the fireplace insert to produce.
How thick should a wood fireplace mantel be?
A depth of 7 inches is ideal for most mantels, as it allows plenty of room to accommodate decorative objects. Keep in mind that the top and the sides of the mantel should be the same depth.
Is pine Good for fireplace mantel?
Woods to Avoid for a Fireplace Mantel Not all woods are suitable for fireplace mantel shelves. Softer woods like fir and pine look attractive when they have been sanded down and polished, but are known to crack easily with the passing of time.
Is pine a good wood for a mantle?
The mantel doesn’t have to match the room precisely, but it should complement the space. Light-colored woods are suitable in rooms with light walls and light accents. Pine is a light-colored wood that lends itself well to several decor styles. Red and white pine both work well, and both lighten slightly over time.
What is the code for fireplace surround?
Per California fireplace hearth dimensions code as published on UpCodes, if the firebox, or the opening of the fireplace, is less than 6 feet square, then the requirement is that the hearth must stick out at least 16 inches to the front and 8 inches on either side of the opening.
How do you protect a fireplace mantel from heat?
A heat deflector is installed to provide air space between it and the wood mantel, and it’s bent at a 45 degree angle to deflect heat away from the mantel. It turned out great! It does its important job and is barely noticeable.
How do I protect my TV from fireplace heat?
- Install a mantle or projection above your existing fireplace.
- Close your fireplace doors.
- Convert to a gas-powered fireplace.
- Use an electric fireplace.
- Consult a professional contractor.
How much does it cost to replace a fireplace mantel?
Install a Fireplace Mantel: national average cost The national average materials cost to install a fireplace mantel is $236.47 per mantel, with a range between $212.16 to $260.79. The total price for labor and materials per mantel is $578.11, coming in between $483.53 to $672.69.
