Before choosing a mantel for your home, there are a few things that you should consider to ensure that the mantel you have selected gives your fireplace the dramatic visual impact that it needs. I am Melissa from NorthlineExpress and today I will cover 5 tips you should use as guidelines to help you choose the perfect fireplace mantel for your home.
First consider clearances, all combustible material must be 1 inch away from the firebox opening for every 1/8 inch it protrudes from the surface, with a minimum 6-inch clearance all around to be compliant with the National Fire Code. Keep in mind that your local code may be different, so advise you to check your local codes as well.
Next measure your space. Once you know the required clearances for your mantle it is time to get a few measurements to start process of choosing a mantle. You will need to get dimensions of your fireplace, the firebox, and perhaps a few other measurements. The dimensions you will need to fit your fireplace with a mantel will vary depending on whether or not you have a hearth area surrounding your fireplace and whether or not you have a fireplace facing. Whether you are replacing an old fireplace mantel or fitting your fireplace with a new mantel surround will also affect the measurements that you will need.
Consider the size of the room when choosing your fireplace mantle so you’re choosing one that flows nicely with the interior design of the home without overpowering the room. For example you wouldn’t want to choose a large fireplace surround that is going to overwhelm a smaller fireplace and vice versa. Take a look at the style and surroundings in the room and make sure that the fireplace mantel you choose is going to blend and complement the rest of your décor so it can naturally become the focal point of your home.
What will your mantle be made of? The most common of the various materials used to make fireplace mantels is wood because it is fairly easy to work with and builders can easily carve and manipulate the wood to create a variety of styles and fireplace mantel shapes. Keep in mind that wood fireplace mantels require clearances to combustible materials on the top and sides of the fireplace. Wood mantles are often able to be installed by you average DIY homeowner where other materials like cast stone will require professional installation. Our selection of mantels are made from an Asian hardwood call Choi which is a light colored, tight grained wood that is similar in grain character to American White Oak.
How much do you want to spend on your mantle? Wood fireplace mantels tend to be the most affordable and can range in design from simple and traditional to elegant and more dramatic. The price of a wood fireplace mantel will vary depending on size, the type of wood used, the finish of the fireplace surround, and the carving details in the wood.
I hope that you have found this information helpful. If you still have questions about choosing a fireplace mantle you can call us at 866-667-8454. At NorthlineExpress, home of the “Buy and Try” satisfaction guarantee, we are always happy to help.