How to Hang Mantels

A mantel is a striking addition to your living room and can help accentuate the fireplace as a centerpiece. With the correct tools and materials, a mantel can be easily hung onto a traditional wall or a brick wall. A mantel can be hung by nailing it to an internal baseboard or by using a cleat. Cleats eliminate the need to nail through the mantel itself. Use a cleat if your mantel has precious wood or a finish that you cannot nail through.

Things You'll Need

• 2-by-4 or 2-by-6
• Wood or concrete screws
• Table saw
• Chop or miter saw
• Drill
• Level

Instructions

1. Sand, prime and apply the first coat of stain or paint to the mantel. Set it aside to dry.

2. Measure and mark the height and center point of the mantel on the wall. A mantel should be hung at least 20 inches above the top of the fireplace opening. Traditionally mantels are hung 60 inches high. Hold a board onto the wall where the mantel will hang, use your level to even it out and trace a line on the wall along the top edge of the board. This is where the top of the mantel will be.

3. Mark along this line where the wall studs are.

4. Use a 2-by-4 for a baseboard. Use a 2-by-4 or a 2-by-6 for a cleat. Measure and cut the board to fit inside and at the top of the mantel. Make a cleat by also ripping the board down the middle (cutting it lengthwise) and positioning your table saw blade at a 45-degree angle. This will create two halves that lock together.

5. Hold both halves of the cleat together on the wall (if using a cleat) so that the top is sitting on the mantel line you traced earlier. Trace a line along the bottom edge.

6. Pre-drill pilot holes for hanging the baseboard or the bottom half of the cleat. Use a masonry drill bit with a carbide tip if screwing into a brick wall. Screw the baseboard or bottom half of the cleat with wood screws if you are screwing into a studded wall or with concrete screws if you are screwing into brick. Attach the bottom half of the cleat to the wall, following the cleat line you drew in Step 5. Position it with the flat side against the wall, and the angle side facing up. Place the low end of the angle against the wall. Screw the top half of the cleat to the top, inside of the mantel. Position it so it will lock into the bottom half of the cleat that is on the wall.

7. Set the mantel onto the cleats or baseboard. If you are using a baseboard, nail finish nails along the back edges of the mantel to affix it to the interior baseboard.

References

• How to Install a Mantel
• Hanging a Mantel
• Installation