DIY Wood Gas Fireplace Mantel
When fireplaces were a necessary part of dwelling construction, the mantel was an important part of the design. It provided the support to hold the bricks or stones around the top of the opening. Today's mantels are decorative, and making your own is easy and gives you a conversation piece in your home. Installing a floating mantel is basically the same no matter what type of material is above the fireplace. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Hand-hewn wood beam 4 to 6 feet long, 4 inches thick, 8 inches wide.
- Measuring tape
- Masking tape
- 2 pieces of 1/2-inch thread rod, 8 inches long.
- Electric drill with 1/2-inch wood bit and 1/2-inch masonry bit
- Contact adhesive and sealant
- Pipe wrench
- Rubber maul
- Utility knife, or an alternative drywall cutter
- Drywall compound
Instructions
-
Brick
-
1
Measure the length of the area above the fireplace where you plan to put the mantel. Divide the length into thirds, and mark those two spots with small pieces of masking tape. For example, if the mantel is 36 inches across, you would place tape at the 12-inch and 24-inch marks at the level of the mortar between the bricks.
-
2
Drill a horizontal 1/2-inch hole 3 inches deep into the mortar between the bricks one-third of the distance from the right end, as marked by the tape. Put masking tape 3 inches from the end of thread rod. Lightly coat the last 2 inches of the end of the thread rod with the adhesive and screw it into the hole. Clamp the thread rod with the pipe wrench if necessary to gain enough leverage to screw the rod into the hole until it reaches the 3-inch depth noted by the tape on the rod. Drill a hole and add a rod in the same way at the other spot marked by the tape.
-
-
3
Drill two 5-inch-deep holes with the wood bit into the 4-inch side of the beam. Make sure the location of the holes aligns with the holes drilled into the mortar. Also ensure that the holes are drilled straight into the wood, not at an angle, because the beam needs to slide onto the two metal rods projecting from the wall.
-
4
Spread a thin layer of adhesive along the rods. Lift the beam, and slide it onto the rods toward the wall. If the beam begins to stick as it slides, hit the front with the rubber maul to push it into place. Keep pushing the beam until it is seated against the wall.
Drywall
-
5
Locate studs in the wall that are about an equal distance apart to give a solid support to the beam. A precise measurement is not necessary as long as both sides of the beam are supported by a rod.
-
6
Remove a small piece of drywall directly over the stud to allow you to see the entire stud. This will be covered by the beam later.
-
7
Drill a 1/2-inch hole 3 inches deep in the middle of the stud with the wood drill. Secure the rod into the hole with the same procedure used with the brick. Spread drywall compound around the hole to prevent any air loss.
-
8
Slide the beam onto the rods the same way you would with a brick wall.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
A hand-hewn oak, maple, ash or poplar beam 4 inches thick and 8 inches wide typically costs less than $10 per running foot, based on prices listed by various timber companies at the time of publication, and it gives a rustic look to the fireplace.
Finished beams provide a more modern look and can be stained and painted in any color.
Holes drilled into the mantel must be as horizontal as possible. After you drill the hole, stick a pencil in the hole and check whether the pencil is level. If it is not, you can drill another hole 1 or 2 inches away. The first hole will be covered by the mantel.
A drilling jig for a hand drill can help keep your holes aligned and straight if you are an inexperienced driller.
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
