How to install a fireplace mantle

Use the same number of bolts from the backer board to the mantel as were used from the backer board to the studs. Complete the fireplace installation, masonry, and enjoy! Stud Supported Corbel Method. Carefully cut out a tight notch from the corbel in which the stud will sit.

Run bolts through the corbel and the stud. Fasten together. Complete the rest of the fireplace and masonry installation. Apply adhesive on top of the corbels. Position mantel on top. Clamp until dry. Various Other Notes. French cleats work wonderfully for mantel surrounds, cabinets, large mirrors, etc.. In the opposite case, such as a mantel shelf, they do not work well. Just be aware of the lever force of as you move the weight further out from the wall. One side of the electrical outlet will be nailed to the stud.

To locate which side, you can do the knock test. Using the heel of your hand, gently knock the wall on each side of the outlet. The side without the stud will sound hollow, while the side with the stud won't. This will be the center of the stud.

Using a tape measure, you can mark the studs along the wall every 16". Another way to locate the studs is to look at the baseboards. Baseboards are nailed to studs, so if you find holes or indentations that have been painted over or caulked over, you can measure " inches from that point to locate additional studs. Affix the mounting boards to the wall. Hold the cleat against the wall and align the bottom with the second set of drawn lines. The bottom edge of each cleat should line up along the top of the second line.

Use the level to make sure the cleats are completely horizontal from left to right across the top and perfectly vertical from top to bottom on the sides.

Drill holes through the cleats and into the wall. Make sure each hole is drilled into the center of the studs you marked earlier. You can also nail the mounting boards to the studs instead of drilling holes. If your wall is brick, make sure that you drill into the brick, not the mortar. Mortar doesn't have structural strength, so you want to avoid attaching the shelf to the mortar. If you are drilling into softer brick, a carbide-tipped bit in a power drill can work. When you have the holes, complete the task by screwing the cleats into position using the drilled holes.

Be sure to turn your hammer drill to regular drill mode before doing this. Mount the fireplace mantel. Push the mantel against the wall, using the drawn lines.

The mantel should fit around the cleats, which hold it in position. Then use the drill to insert screws through the mantel and into the cleats. These screws should be roughly 16 inches apart. Fasten the mantel to the cleats along the top shelf and along the two legs.

You can also nail the mantel to the mounting boards if you wish. Put on the finishing touches. Attach the scribe molding. There will be a gap between the wall and the mantel, so the molding will cover this.

You can use nails to attach the molding. Apply wood putty to cover the screw heads, taking care to smooth the putty evenly with the surface of the mantel.

Allow the putty to dry, and then paint to hide the holes completely. Method 2. Position the shelf on the wall. Determine the exact placement of the mantel shelf above your fireplace. Most fireplace mantel shelves are placed inches above the floor.

When positioning your shelf, make sure to think about the combustible height. Since wood is a combustible material, there are codes and guidelines that must be followed when placing a mantel over a combustible chamber, such as a fireplace.

If a mantel is 10" wide, the minimum distance from the top of the fireplace is usually 19". For an 8" wide mantel, the distance is 17", and for 6" it's 15". Make a mark in the direct center of your fireplace. You want to make sure your mantel isn't one-sided. Prepare the cleat. The cleat is what holds the mantel shelf to the wall. The mounting board should be long enough to fit the width of your shelf.

Measure the length of the cleat. Then, using that measurement, find the center line and mark that on the cleat. The top of the cleat needs to have an angled edge, not a straight edge. Take a saw and cut a 45 degree angle lengthwise along one edge of the cleat. This is what the mantel hangs on. Dry-fit the angled edge of the cleat into the mantel.

Make sure they fit snugly together so that the mounting board will support the mantel. If you do not want to saw an angled edge, you can use a flat edged cleat. Make sure your cleat is wide enough for the mantel to be fastened to the cleat with screws.

Mark the cleat line on the wall. Dry-fit the mounting board into the mantel. Using a tape measure, measure the length from the top edge of the mantel to the bottom edge of the cleat. Tip: Drill and screw into the brick, not the mortar. Brick is denser and will hold screws securely. Note: If you're attaching the mantel to a conventional wood-stud wall, use 3-inch decking screws instead of concrete screws. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from.

By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. How to Install a Fireplace Mantel. By Harry Sawyers. Pinterest Email Pocket Flipboard. Mantel Overview Illustration by Gregory Nemec When dealing with a new wood mantel, there are two major safety concerns: making sure the mantel isn't too close to the fire, and securely attaching the heavy piece to the wall so it doesn't fall over.

Fireplace Mantel Installation 1. Wait until the mantel is installed to apply the final coat of paint or finish. Place the mantel shelf top-down on a tarp or rug. Slide the legs onto the shelf, slotting the dowels into their holes. Wiggle the legs as you apply slight pressure until the leg seams are tight. Twist the screws a quarter-turn to lock the cams.

Hardware varies among manufacturers, but placing the shelf top-down and sliding the legs on is usually the safest method. Center it around the firebox. Place a 3-foot level across the mantel and check for level. Use a torpedo level to see if the shelf is level front to back. Tap shims under the legs as necessary until it's level both ways. Lightly trace the mantel's outline on the wall in pencil, as shown. This will give you a reference to help position the cleats.