Cast Stone Mantels
Your fireplace is likely a focal point and a gathering place for friends and family. Today’s fireplaces and fireplace mantels are designed in contemporary styles and colors. The mantle on your fireplace is its signature. Mantles made of stone a student earthy warm personality and give your fireplace its own character. Stone mantels have been used for many years.
Today cast stone mantels are widely used and are the material of choice for the discriminating homeowner. Cast stone mantels are very versatile, durable, and come in a wide selection of colors. Some of the colors are limestone, granite, slate, travertine or marble. For the do-it-yourself homeowner can still mantels are relatively easy to install, requiring only a few simple hand tools and limited skill.
Cast stone mantels range in price from several hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars, depending on the size and availability of the product. Cast stone fireplace mantel’s are great choice, mainly because they are lighter weight stone. This means easier installation as well as more options with customization for a homeowner.
Most on mantels in general are fire resistant and allow for a zero clearance from combustible material. This is why cast on mantels are such a good choice for those who will using gas or wood fireplaces.
Many suppliers provide fast and free shipping on standard and even custom orders. Most of the orders also come with easy installation instructions for either the homeowner to install, or a private contractor.
Fireplace Mantel Cabinet
Some people prefer the idea to use the fireplace mantel as a cabinet. There are plenty of cabinet makers out there that can make it a nice place to hold your important memorabilia. The various designs of mantel cabinets can give your fireplace the needed touch to feel complete. It is also a nice home improvement to add value to your home. If there are private things that you wish to keep from others, or things you would like to store in there that you would like to give as a gift later its a great idea.
There are non metal or metal electric fireplace cabinet mantels that you can get built if you want a more natural look. If you want to have a media console its also another option. You can use it to store videos if you want it to act as an entertainment center then you can set a flat screeen tv on top of it.
There are faux fireplace mantel cabinets, but they are the route to go if you don’t want something natural. They also are a lot less expensive. Whatever type you decide on, make sure that you do get an idea through pictures from a cabinet maker. That ensures you are on the same page with the maker, and that you get just what you need.
Fireplace Mantel Decorating
If you are thinking of decorating your fireplace mantel, there are several things we might suggest for you to try. Creating an antique design out of your mantel is one option. You can do this with the right paint as well as the right tools to make some etching as if the wood is aged.
Another option is to add a fabric to the mantel. Depending on if your mantle is made of oak or another material, you should be careful so that you don’t add something to it that would damage it.
There are numerous books on fireplace mantels and custom designing if you decide to read up. We have mentioned several places you can get them in a previous article.
Another option is animal hide. You can hang a deer, bear, or zebra rug or hide over the mantel to give it some flare and beauty. Cast fireplace mantels have fewer options for decorating, but if you have a creative mind there are quite a few things you can do that are safe.
Fireplace Mantel Shelves
Most of the time when people buy fireplace mantel shelves its because they want to put up family heirlooms or they want to add pictures of friends and family in a convenient place. If you are considering getting a specific mantel shelf for this purpose then you should also think about your overall cost for your fireplace being built because the shelves are not cheap.
Depending on the style of shelfing you are wanting, you may want to consider the style and location of your fireplace as well. Wooden fireplace mantel shelves are probably one of the most common purchased. This is because they have a natural look, and a homely look for those who are going for a warm feeling in the room.
If you decide to go with one of the finished fireplace mantel shelves then you will have a sealant to make sure it doesn’t get ruined. If you decide to go with an unfinished shelf, just keep in mind that you will need to make sure the wood is treated and ready for any type of heat that the fireplace may add to the wear of the mantel.
Most modern homes are going with a rustic fireplace mantel shelf to give it a more modern look and also to add a bit of color if the fireplace is dull on its own.
If you decided to build a fireplace mantel shelf on your own I would suggest you get a manual from lowes or from Home Depot that would show you all the steps. Its important that you get the measurements and the cuts of wood right so that the finished product fits correctly. If you were going with a stone fireplace mantel shelf as your selection then its probably going to be best just to let a mason take care of that along with the actual fireplace.