Use a Phillips screwdriver bit to drive 2-inch finish screws (a.k.a. Place a level over the mark, and adjust the level until the bubble is centered between the reference lines in the glass tube. It's basically a frame for the fire, an extremely elaborate piece of molding. Simply drill holes into the brick to a depth matching the two-thirds width of the mantle. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Squeeze a moderate amount of adhesive into each of the holes in the back of the mantel, then lift the mantel and position it into place, aligning the holes in the back of the mantel with the support rods. When working with power tools, always wear protective safety glasses to protect your eyes from debris. Then use the masonry screws and screw your wood shelf support directly into the brick at your desired height. The inside scribe molding is used to cover the gap between the mantel legs and the fireplace facing material of brick, tile, marble, granite or slate. Since hardwood mantels are quite heavy, they need to be securely attached not only to the brick fireplace, but to the wall studs behind the brick. Temporarily clamp the mantel to the backer board. Allowing the shelf to tilt slightly back toward the wall helps hold it in place during installation. Using a hammer and 4d finish nails, attach thin pieces of edge molding along the mantel's inner opening to cover the gap between the mantel legs and the brick. You can see his work in publications such as "Consumer's Digest," where he wrote the 2009 Best Buys for Power Tools and the 2013 Best Buys for Pressure Washers. Lifting the mantel can be a challenge, but it's easily assembled and attached to the wall, $400 to $1,400 (depending on style, size and wood chosen), Tankless Water Heaters: What You Need to Know Before You Buy. How are fireplace mantels attached to brick? Learn how to install a wood mantel on a brick fireplace. Twist the screws a quarter-turn to lock the cams. 5 inch or 6 inch lags are usually sufficient length. Measure the distance horizontally from the center mark above the fireplace to one of the drill hole positions. Attach the backer board to as many studs as possible with 2 lag bolts per stud from the front face of the fireplace. For hanging your mantel or shelf, we suggest that you use the hanger board included in the box. Tip: Drill and screw into the brick, not the mortar. If you plan to paint the mantel, caulk any gaps along the wall. Putty over the screwheads (or fill them with plugs if you're not painting). Place the mantel against the wall (you may need a helper for this). To do this, pre-drill holes straight through your wood support into the wood with the included bit that comes in this pack. Slide the legs onto the shelf, slotting the dowels into their holes. Push the mantel onto the rods until the back of the mantle is against the bricks. You’ll want to pre-drill a countersink hole so that bolt head is flush with the backer board’s surface. The Olde Mill's founder and leader Richard Ourso shows you how to install a hollow, floating fireplace mantel. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our experts–straight to your inbox. If using a hammer drill, be sure to switch from hammer-drill mode to drill-only mode for this step. Sand, then prime or stain the mantel before you begin. 0 0 No More If you have an odd-size firebox, a stock mantel may create a disproportionate-looking reveal around the opening, so you may have to custom order to get the mantel to look right. Squeeze a moderate amount of adhesive into each hole in the bricks, and tap one rebar support rod into each hole using a two-pound hammer. Note how it sticks out on the left, causing soooo many bruises: 6. Many mantel-kit companies suggest merely toenailing the piece through the shelf directly to the wall, or even gluing it with silicone caulk. Measure and cut a rod for each mounting hole from a piece of 1/2-inch rebar using an angle grinder. (On some mantels, the cleats may have to be installed in pieces to accommodate blocking.). Let’s learn how to attach wood to bricks! © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. A hammer drill and angle grinder can be rented from nearly any tool rental shop. To hang them on the wall, you simply attach them to a couple of screwed-on pieces of lumber; as This Old House technical editor Mark Powers shows, the whole job takes less than a day. Use a driver bit to drive 2-inch finish screws every 16 inches along the back of the shelf above the center of the top cleat. radius to the edge of a 3/4-by-6-in. Do the same through the outer edges of the legs (not the face) into the side cleats. How to paint your fireplace and mantel or mantle. Press all edges flush against the wall before fastening. Cut 2x4 cleats (double up for a thicker mantel) and dry-fit them inside the legs. Things You’ll Need. To make it look like one chunky piece of wood, we attached a 1×2 to the edge. Tap shims under the legs as necessary until it's level both ways. Cut a 2x4 to this measurement and dry-fit it in place inside the shelf. Locate the desired spot for hanging the mantel over the fireplace, and make a pencil mark directly centered over the fireplace marking the center of where the mantel should be mounted. Hold the top cleat against the wall. Then drill three inches into the wall stud until the tape on the bit reaches the brick face of the fireplace. Mark the distance on the wall at several points inside the pencil scribe of the mantel's outline. The type of hardware (not included). you will use for mounting your hanger board will depend on the medium your mantel or shelf will be attached to (i.e. A mantel on any fireplace serves as both a practical shelf and a personalized centerpiece to your home's living room, and it makes a great addition to a stone fireplace that may not have originally come with one.Mantel options can be in wood, brick, stone, or other materials, though finely-finished wood is quite popular. Also, for safety, be sure that the fireplace mantel is mounted at least 12 inches above the fireplace surround. Here’s what you need to know about choosing, installing, and living with a tankless water heater. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Installing a mantel on a brick wall is a challenging but doable DIY project if you have the right tools and a little know-how. Once the mantel was hung, I seriously couldn’t believe how different the fireplace looked. This will give you a reference to help position the cleats. Then you screw the mantel to the cleats along the back of the mantel shelf and the sides of the legs. I found that to be enough shelf space to decorate … Let me show you how I painted my fireplace and mantel while my husband was out of town. Fit the mantel over the cleats, aligning it with the outline marks on the wall. I have a list as long as my arm but I checked another item off! One cleat runs horizontally under the mantel shelf, and the others run vertically inside the legs (most mantels are hollow in back). But when the dust (and fiberglass) settles, you'll enjoy a fatter bank account and more comfortable indoor temps year-round. This allows seams to be hidden from the front. Place a 3-foot level across the mantel and check for level. Mantel Shelf. Tired of running out of hot water? Center it around the firebox. These require a flexible adhesive that can bond quickly and effectively to brick allowing a window of opportunity to arrange the mantel into the desired position before the solution begins to cure. If the floating mantel will be mounted to brick or stone, you will need to use special masonry tools and hardware, such as a hammer drill and concrete screws. Most importantly, the mantel is attached to a single row of bricks. of an … Putty over the screwheads (or fill them with plugs if you're not painting). Of course, the very first step in adding a mantel above your brick fireplace is to find the perfect shelf. How to Install a Fireplace Mantel: 14 Steps (with Pictures) The knockdown mantel, or surround, is supported by columns on both sides. If you're remodeling and choose to swap one for the other or just need to update, either type can be removed using ordinary hand tools. Turn off the drill's hammer action. If you’re bored with your mantel’s appearance, why not rip it out and get a new one? If the floating mantel will be mounted to drywall, you will need to locate the wall studs and mount the mantel to those for additional support. Then with some wood glue and more nails, we attached a second piece of 1×8 cut to the same length. Lightly trace the mantel's outline on the wall in pencil, as shown. Wood Beam Mantel DIY Steps. Is that possible? Reclaimed mantels may vary in condition and often come with undulating surfaces that have to be attached to the brick fireplace. Then make similar marks on the back of the mantel corresponding to the remaining drill hole locations on the brick fireplace. Attach the side cleats in the same manner. Sharp, detailed models come in kits that lock together with a few twists of the Phillips-head. Any advice? Masonry or brick is a very hard material, that’s why a normal wood hammer will not work particularly well. I recommend going no deeper than 10” due to weight. I love that old brick, but a brief investigation shows that the fireplace brick is uglier, so removing the paint wouldn't give a good look. If you have a fireplace surround that is constructed with wood beams, you would not want to follow this tutorial (you would use a method involving locating the studs and using them to anchor your mantel). Be ready to use your creativity and carpentry skills here as this guide speaks more about high-end steps, with lesser pictorial descriptions. Use a torpedo level to see if the shelf is level front to back. Slide the wood bit into one of the holes in the brick until the bit touches the wood. I hate the cutout and want to even it out. Drill a hole parallel to the top face of the mantle through each of the marked hole locations on the back edge of the mantel. Insert a 1/2-inch masonry bit into the chuck of a hammer drill, and drill a 1/2-inch hole horizontally into the brick at each of the marked locations. I start tomorrow morning Rob. Repeat with the other holes, drilling three inches into each wall stud. Apply the final coat of paint or finish. Once your lag bolts are in place, it’s time to prep your wood mantle for installation. It is important to wear safety glasses for eye protection, to prevent small brick chips or concrete from entering the eyes while you are working. If the cleats are properly positioned, the mantel should fit over them like a sleeve. If necessary, position a stepladder in front of the fireplace so you can access the drywall above the brick fireplace to locate the wall studs. Fasten the cleat to the brick with 2 ½-inch concrete screws. Ask This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman explains the uses and purposes of different types of electrical boxes. Mark the grout line that is closest to the desired height. Then scribe a center line vertically across the midpoint of the back of the mantel as a reference line. To remove a fireplace surround and mantel: Try to understand how the surround or mantel is attached to the wall, whether its with screws, nails, bolts or simply held in place. Do the same through the outer edges of the legs (not the face) into the side cleats. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Place the mantel shelf top-down on a tarp or rug. Feb 20, 2019 - Explore Lydia de la Cruz's board "Brick fireplace and mantle" on Pinterest. Satisfying the second concern is all about good carpentry. Insert a tube of construction adhesive into a caulk gun, and cut off the tip of the nozzle on the end of the tube with a utility knife. The bricks support each other's weight, sitting on a foundation wall of course, but the brickties are necessary to attach the whole brick wall to the wood frame, to keep it all together. How to Install a Floating Mantel – Step Three. This is done with the help of a 1 ¼-inch dowel stock. Here’s what you need to know. Eventually I inherited it, and hauled it 3,500 miles back to Seattle. Locate the wall studs behind the brick fireplace using a stud finder. Using a hammer and 4d finish nails, attach thin pieces of edge molding along the mantel's inner opening to cover the gap between the mantel legs and the brick. Copyright © 2020 This Old House Ventures, LLC. Note that our fireplace is a masonry or brick fireplace, covered with cement board and a concrete overlay. Drill the holes in the masonry in the locations you marked. In the shop I routed a 3/8-in. Here's how an inventive redo made an 1830s artifact just right for a 21st-century household, How to Turn a Reclaimed Beam into a Fireplace Mantel. With the mantel face-down on the floor, measure the inside width of the shelf to determine the length of the horizontal cleat. Since hardwood mantels are quite heavy, they need to be securely attached not only to the brick fireplace, but to the wall studs behind the brick. Hardware varies among manufacturers, but placing the shelf top-down and sliding the legs on is usually the safest method. With the top cleat positioned, measure for the length and the depth of the vertical leg cleats. Note: If you're attaching the mantel to a conventional wood-stud wall, use 3-inch decking screws instead of concrete screws. (If stricter local codes exist, these supersede national codes). Step 1 Choosing A Mantel. Wrap a piece of masking tape around the bit three inches from the brick to serve as a depth gauge. Determine the size of your mantel. Brick is denser and will hold screws securely. The chimney is permanent, but the mantel's just a front. As for the mantel, probably something heaver attached with lags to which the finished mantle will be attached. Place marks on the grout line every 16". The following is a guide to installing a wooden mantel above a brick fireplace. You will want to ensure proper height for placing a mantel over your fireplace/ A moderate amount of adhesive is squeezed into each of the holes and a half-inch rebar support rod tapped in using a two … Remove the tape from the drill bit. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. The mantel spent the next 17 years in my garage because our house didn't have a place to put it up. Apply the final coat of … After measuring for your new mantel, decide how deep you want it to be. Stop drilling when the masonry bit reaches the wood wall studs. We are going to whitewash tomorrow and add a mantel. The existing mantel was 3 feet wide and went to the outside fireplace wall so we couldn’t remove it as it would have destroyed the integrity of the stone wall. Since neither option is very sturdy, we recommend you attach the mantel to a cleat—a simple piece of lumber securely fastened to the wall. The … Wait until the mantel is installed to apply the final coat of paint or finish. Stop drilling when the tape reaches the back edge of the mantle. Use the 3-foot level to connect the dots and mark where to hang the cleats. Fireplace with the old mantel still attached. When dealing with a new wood mantel, there are two major safety concerns: making sure the mantel isn't too close to the fire, and securely attaching the heavy piece to the wall so it doesn't fall over. Ask This Old House carpenter, Nathan Gilbert helps a homeowner turn a reclaimed mantel into a fireplace mantel. Push the mantel onto the rods until the back of the mantle is against the bricks. Materials Needed to Install a Mantel On a Brick Fireplace. Work the pry bar between the edge of the mantel and the drywall, starting at the lowest point, and slowly push the mantel away from the wall. That’s not a problem with one of these compact, ultra-efficient units that heat water as you need it. Attached is a pic. Because we already had a brick mantel, we decided to basically wrap the existing mantel in the common board. Tip: Mantels are top-heavy. Typically, mantels are attached with nails, screws, or bolts, so you’ll need the right tools to remove these pieces. Drive the screws through the pilot holes you previously drilled in Step 4. Squeeze a moderate amount of adhesive into each of the holes in the back of the mantel, then lift the mantel and position it into place, aligning the holes in the back of the mantel with the support rods. Now it’s time to measure and drill holes into the back of the mantle so they match up with the brick bolts. Set the screwheads just below the surface so they can be concealed later. Using a pry bar or crowbar, gently pry the mantel from the bricks or wall behind it. Use the two-pound hammer with a short piece of scrap wood as a spacer if you need to tap the mantel to get it to move onto the rods. Make sure those marks are level, centered and extend far enough to cover the mantel’s length. Remove the drill bit and measure from the tape to the tip of the bit. Determine the height of the mantle on the brick fireplace. Chris Baylor has been writing about various topics, focusing primarily on woodworking, since 2006. trim head screws) every 16 inches along the back of the shelf above the center of the top cleat. Wiggle the legs as you apply slight pressure until the leg seams are tight. You can attach a wooden mantel to a brick fireplace in an afternoon with common hand-operated tools. It will just be some 1x2 pine strapping to which the finished panel unit will be attached. Fit your mantel onto the mantel support The mantel in this project is 8” deep. Solid piece of wood for the mantel (we found ours at a surplus building material store local to us) Corbels (depending on your mantel these could be structural or just for decor purposes) Drill with a masonry bit; 10″ x 3/8″ lag bolts (we used 5 of these) Rubber mallet Our fireplace mantels are designed to be installed easily. Always consult a professional. video for How to Turn a Reclaimed Beam into a Fireplace Mantel. Set the screwheads just below the surface so they can be concealed later. I finally did it. Also, if your fireplace is solid brick, there will be no wall studs into which to drill. I have a full brick fireplace and want to shiplap over the top half as it has a cut out. Yes, it's a messy job. Most of the time fireplace mantels are held in place with glue and wooden pegs; therefore, proceed slowly to avoid cracking or damaging the bricks or wall to which the mantel is attached. For a single mantel by itself without a surround, look for screws either on top of the mantle or underneath, near to the wall. Most mantels are placed about 60" above the floor. Using a carbide-tipped masonry bit in a hammer drill, bore four evenly spaced ½-inch-diameter pilot holes through the cleats and into the brick. The area above the fireplace is just plaster. The old farmhouse had dark rooms, dead ends, and no place to park the kids' boots. Measure the length and height of the wooden mantel to be installed using a tape measure. Satisfying the first concern is a matter of ordering a mantel that is sized correctly for your fireplace. See more ideas about fireplace, brick fireplace, fireplace makeover. Tip: Don't wrestle with the cleats' lengths—their position should be precise, but they don't need to butt snugly together. Transfer this distance to the back of the mantel, and mark a drill location on the mantel. A wooden mantel is a hardwood shelf mounted above a fireplace that can provide an attractive location for displaying photos and knick-knacks, as well as a traditional place for hanging stockings for the holidays. Add this length to a measurement equaling two-thirds the width of the mantel to get the length of the support rods you will need to cut. To create the mantel shelf, we nailed an 1×8 cut to length on top of the breastplate and legs. How To Attach A Mantel To Brick Attaching a mantel to brick is achieved through masonry rods and construction adhesives. Check the National Fire Protection Association guidelines (see the link in the Resources section) for more information on how close to place the mantel to the fireplace opening. My mother salvaged the mantel when the house had to be torn down, and she had it in her home for many years. Replace the masonry bit with a long 1/2-inch wood bit in the hammer drill, and turn the hammer function of the drill to the off position. You'll pull the legs flush with the wall as you screw to the cleat. I think I will try the Tapcons in the mortar joint and see where that goes. wide board and then used my Delta thickness planer to bring the board’s thickness down to just about 3/8-in. I was just sitting around bored on a Saturday ... Read More about How to Paint Your Fireplace Brick & Mantel All rights reserved. Cut the top board the length of the mantel. Cut face board length of mantel PLUS an additional 1.5”. I will share soon how I disguised the old mantel slab gap. Measure from the tip of the bit the two-thirds width of the mantel, and place another piece of tape onto the bit. Make a pencil mark on the bricks at each point where the level aligns with the center of a wall stud behind the brick to denote drill hole locations. The National Fire Code says that all combustible material must be 1 inch away from the firebox opening for every 1/8 inch it protrudes from the surface, with a minimum 6-inch clearance all around. brick, stone, drywall…).. Here is how we did it. Step 1 - Remove the Old Fireplace Mantel. Antique Woodworks: Fireplace Mantel Installation Tips, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association: Construction Tips and Standards, Everybody's Building Code: Fireplaces and Chimneys, National Fire Protection Association: Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances. When attached the shelf to a brick surface, you must use the masonry lag bolts. Measure the thickness of the mantel edges that will sit flush against the wall on the legs and shelf. In this article, we’re going to show you how to remove both a shelf and a knockdown mantel, as well as discuss best practices and safety tips for this project. Mark the location of the holes to be drilled by marking through the holes on the bracket. The traditional mantel, also known as a mantel shelf, is connected to the wall and supported by corbel braces. If you plan to paint the mantel, caulk any gaps along the wall.