How to Install a Fireplace Mantel Shelf

When you first start browsing all of the many fireplace mantel shelves available today it can be dizzying. The choice of your mantel shelf not only depends on your house but also on the type and size of your fireplace. Thankfully the process to find the fireplace mantel shelf you need is often not hard and the average homeowner can install their own mantle shelf in an afternoon with a little hard work. A good friend that's gifted with tools never hurts either!

The first decision you will have to make is what size mantel your fireplace will require. The National Fire Code has a set of guidelines for fireplaces but it is also good practice to check on your county's particular ordinances. Look up the building inspections department under your county's name and give them a call. Im sure they'll be glad to let you know what the requirements for installation are. Otherwise, the National Fire Code requires that your mantel be 1 inch away from the edge of the firebox for every 1/8th inch that it comes out from the wall. That means that if your mantel shelf sticks out four inches it needs to be 32 inches above the hearth portion of the fireplace. Easy enough eh? Now that you know how high your mantle shelf will have to be, find a website with some different shelf selections. Take a look at each mantel's width and then figure out how high it will have to be according to the specs we talked about. A thin mantel can always go higher than necessary but a wide mantel can't go lower than recommended so keep this in mind.

Next measure the width of your fireplace across the top where you will place your mantel. Most mantle shelves come in a standard size of 5-7 feet across, but there are a wide range of sizes available on the internet. Figure out how wide of a mantel you need and then factor this into your choice of shelf.

Materials You Will Need

• Mantel - Depending on how your kit came this could be all that you need. Note that we are only looking at how to attach a mantel shelf and not a full surround
• 2 x 4 lumber for cleats, can be cut at local hardware store
• 2 1/2-inch-long 1/4-inch concrete screws
• 2" Finish Screws
• Wood Putty if you want to fill the screw holes

The installation can get a little tricky, but if you have a little home improvement knowledge installing a new mantel is fun and gives you a good sense of accomplishment. The first thing that you will need is called a "cleat." This is a board that we will cut to fit snugly on the back inside of the shelf, where it is hollow. This is just a piece of wood that is cut from a piece of lumber and will hold your mantel up. Measure the width of the inside of the back of the mantel and then measure the depth. Subtract two inches from the interior width and this will be the length of the piece of wood you need. Then measure the depth of the inside of the mantel and this will determine the width of the cleat. Take these measurements to your local home improvement retailer and they can quickly cut you a piece to your exact measurements.

Now that you have your cleat you will want to attach it your wall. Double check the height your mantel will need to be placed at and mark this height on the brick where the bottom of the cleat will go. Take the level and line it up against this line, moving it slightly until it is level. Mark the bottom line where you will line up the cleat. Next mark three holes for your screws on your piece of wood for the cleat: one toward the left, one in the middle and one on the right. Once you have all your spaces marked line up the cleat and drill through the wood to your brick with the concrete screws. After you have all three screws in you have successfully installed your cleat. Slide the mantel onto the cleat and push it back until it is flat against the wall. Finish the project by placing 2" finishing screws every twelve inches along the back of the mantel, drilling down into the center of the cleat. Congratulations! You just installed your brand new brick fireplace mantel shelf! If you are looking for another great fireplace tutorial, please take a moment to read my article on fireplace refacing.

As the weather warms up, many people want to do a little redecorating but don't know where to start. Lighter, warm colors are a good choice for the warm weather as they tend to reflect more sunshine. White or beige colors tend to bounce sunshine around a space and can help to cut down on energy bills at a time when everyone could use some more dough. Several options are available for every budget, so let's take a look at how to redo your home today.

Candles are a great way to redo any room simply by choosing a few good colors. Pier 1 is currently running big sales where you can purchase many of their candles for under $10. Take a look at the Aspen Flower Candles for something to match your home decor.

If you have a brick or stone fireplace in your home, I always like to recommend the Brick-ANew fireplace cleaner to take off all of the grime that may have gotten on your fireplace over the winter. With a little elbow grease you can bring out the true beauty of your brick or stone and even get it ready for a coat of fireplace paint.

To round out our list of items for this summer, take a look at the latest collection from West Elm. I recently picked up a sweater rug to go in front of my fireplace with great results. A small rug starts at $89 so you can pick up all three items listed here for less than $130. Happy Decorating!

I have been working hard on a website that features eco-friendly home products. At City Market Gifts you can find all sorts of earth friendly laundry products in addition to all sorts of other home wares. Please take a moment to look over our new website and let me know what you think!

I help decorators in Georgia find items for their decorating jobs in addition to my family (which is a full time job itself!). If you have a second please see the site for my brother, a surveyor and civil engineer in Georgia, and my sister who works at an clothing boutique and decorating store in Valdosta if you are looking to purchase or decorate a new home.