How to Make Your Own Mantel

A fireplace comes to life with the appropriate mantel. Some fireplaces have large brick mantels, and some are tiled, but making your own mantel means you can be as creative as you choose. The process only requires a small amount of material and a little bit of know how.

Things You'll Need

• 1-foot by 6-foot pine lumber
• 1-foot by 10-foot pine lumber
• Power miter box
• Table saw
• Stud finder
• Level
• Chalk
• Pneumatic nail gun
• Wood glue

Instructions

1. Measure and cut three pieces of 1-foot by 6-foot pine lumber, two for the sides and one for the top of the fireplace surround (the border around the outside of the fireplace opening). Use a power miter box for cutting across the grain and a table saw for cutting along the grain.

2. Locate the studs in the wall with a stud finder and attach the three pieces of the surround to the fireplace. Draw a level line across the top and nail the top piece to the wall studs. Use a pneumatic nail gun.

3. Apply wood glue to the backs of the side pieces and attach them to the tile. Do not nail them into the tile.

4. 

   Form the mantel piece by cutting 1-by-10 pine and two-inch decorative molding to size. Cut the molding to fit underneath along the edges of the mantel. Glue and nail them in place.

5. Attach the top mantel piece on top of the pine surround using wood glue and nails. Nail straight down through the top of the mantel into the surround with the pneumatic nail gun.

Tips & Warnings

• After your mantel is constructed, fill the nail holes with spackle, apply primer and then two coats of paint.

• Make sure to nail your surrounding boards to wall studs for maximum strength, and use plenty of wood glue when applying wood to tile.