How to Install a Mantel on a Stone Fireplace

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How to Install a Mantel on a Stone Fireplace | Ask This Old House

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4 жыл бұрын

Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough travels to Chicago to install a wood mantel on a homeowner’s 1980s contemporary fireplace
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Mark McCullough
Time: 3-4 hours
Cost: $300
Skill Level: Difficult
Tools:
Miter saw [amzn.to/3b3i05f]
Drill driver [amzn.to/35xOgMs]
Tape measure [amzn.to/3dvKyGf]
Level [amzn.to/2YIx6ut]
Hole saw [amzn.to/2W72VLv]
Masonry drill [amzn.to/3dvKQgj]
Masonry hammer [amzn.to/2W5ZAML]
Socket wrench [amzn.to/3dkGl7U]
Shopping List:
Mantel [www.bairdbroth...]
2x4” framing lumber [www.homedepot....]
Framing screws [amzn.to/3bdkFtf]
Wedge anchors [amzn.to/2W3IejD]
Brass screws [amzn.to/2W3ILSF]
Steps for installing a fireplace mantel:
1. Start by assembling a cleat that will be mounted on the face of the fireplace to accept the mantel. This can be done by cutting the 2x4” material with a miter saw to the dimensions of the mantel. Secure the cleat together using framing screws and butt joints.
2. Determine the height of the mantel. Mantels are usually about 54” from the floor. With stone fireplaces, it’s important to find a mostly flat section to securely mount the cleat and the mantel to. it’s possible a stone might stick out proud of the mantel and make it more challenging to mount the cleat. In that case, it usually makes sense to go a little higher.
3. With the height of the mantel identified, determine the center of the fireplace and mark it at the determined height.
4. Determine the center of the cleat and mark it.
5. Hold the center of the cleat up to the center of the fireplace. Place the level on top of the cleat to ensure it’s level. With the cleat still against the fireplace, identify locations to secure the bolts. Depending on the type of stone, it might be safer to pick mortar joints over drilling directly into the stone. Before pulling the cleat back down, check for any bumps in the stone that might make it challenging to secure the cleat and mark those areas on the cleat as well.
6. Cut out any sections of the cleat that were just marked using a hole saw.
7. Drill holes through the marks on the cleat to accept the bolts.
8. Hold the cleat back in place. Drill holes through the cleat and into the fireplace using a masonry drill.
9. Hammer the wedge anchors into the holes and then tighten them in place using a socket wrench.
10. With the cleat secured to the fireplace, slide the mantel onto the cleat.
11. Secure the mantel to the cleat using brass screws.
Resources:
Mark installed the Red Oak Contemporary Box Mantel Style #5 [www.bairdbroth...], which was prestained in Early American and finished in a clear finish. It was provided by Baird Brothers Fine Hardwoods
(www.bairdbroth....
Mark used concrete sleeve anchors [amzn.to/2W3IejD] to secure the mounting board to the masonry fireplace. These can be purchased at home centers and hardware stores.
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Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Jenn Nawada.
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Keywords:
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How to Install a Mantel on a Stone Fireplace | Ask This Old House
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Пікірлер: 48

@davidriley7659 4 жыл бұрын

im glad he had a spare mantel in the truck. that was lucky

@walterflores3992 4 жыл бұрын

And that he already had it finished to match the other finished trim inside

@billiebarton1674 3 жыл бұрын

😁

@KS-gf3tv 3 жыл бұрын

I audibly gasped when I saw her holding that hammer drill lmao. She did great! Very wholesome content!

@mshighdefinition7463 2 жыл бұрын

This video helps a lot and it was clearly discussed how to do it. Thank you so much & more power!!!

@klbittick 4 жыл бұрын

This is actually a simular situation to what I'm facing. When they built my fireplace they used rocks as shelves and it looks hideous and shoot out of the wall in the most random spots. I'm going to need to level those off and then this mantle project is what I'm going to be doing to mine after I do some heavy prepping to the fireplace itself (Cleaning, doing a german smear, getting it professionally inspected, etc). Thanks for giving me a clue as to what I'm in for.

@oligawen 4 жыл бұрын

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

@Hewdino 4 жыл бұрын

Scribe that mantle!

@timothyschriefer2822 4 жыл бұрын

I bet Tommy would have.

@JasonHoningford 2 жыл бұрын

What are the bricks attached to though? I believe it's a drywall and wood frame. A lot of fireplaces are only an inch thick so I wouldn't be using a concrete anchor. I don't know how you'd find the stud though.

@kubtastic 4 жыл бұрын

Solid. A typical 80's fireplace is just some drywall with a steel mesh, some mortar, and cement stones that are maybe 1" thick. And it's easy to fake depth with corner blocks.

@DaleWyman 8 ай бұрын

Hello. Great video. I have wrought iron corbels I plan to attach to stone for a cedar mantle. Can you suggest the proper type fasteners for my application. The wrought iron corbels are pre-drilled with 5/16” holes. The stone is very flat. Thanks.

@davidburkholder7360 6 ай бұрын

Good info overall but termination was not discussed. In particular the gap between the mantel and the stone.

@andreimtriscas6626 2 жыл бұрын

According to code that mantel is too low because of the gas fireplace and those stockings can catch fire, so that's quite a fire hazard but, beautiful fireplace....

@darylfitz4189 4 жыл бұрын

All you gotta do is tap it in.... just taaap it in..... just taaaaaaaap it in.

@hecticdmc 4 жыл бұрын

Give it a little tappy. Tap, tap, tap-a-roo.

@FootandFurrowFarm 3 жыл бұрын

That stone is not 8" thick. It is a cast stone. Most likely drywall behind it.

@JasonHoningford 2 жыл бұрын

Ya it's drywall for sure. This video did not help me at all.

@danielmurzellotheunknownma7481 3 жыл бұрын

Amazing and Beautiful video.. So interesting and Helpful information👍👍👍 Thanks for sharing... And yes... It's never to early for Christmas. . Do keep posting👌🆕 Warm regards and Best wishes The UnknownManCub 👍😎👨‍🏭

@elizabethludden7182 3 жыл бұрын

What kind of epoxy should you use for the second method mentioned at the end?

@VanessaTJ 2 жыл бұрын

Our house is actually a fully Adobe brick house, and it is difficult to find videos dealing with that material. Could we mount shelves on our walls using this same technique?

@japan-e9j 4 жыл бұрын

Marvelous

@anaphylaxis2548 3 жыл бұрын

It looks nice, but why would you want to use brass screws?

@AndreaOwen17 3 жыл бұрын

Come do mine now!

@Ted_E_Bear 4 жыл бұрын

Wow

@alanzo428 4 жыл бұрын

Where in Chicago is this exactly?

@TheSlipperyNoodle 4 жыл бұрын

I would not touch that project with a ten foot pole ... it just screams something is going to get messed up and be impossible to fix.

@juanjr00 2 жыл бұрын

Paused the video at @5:20 and that mantle looks super crooked.

@user-kj8bz4bc6l 6 ай бұрын

I think it's awfully unprofessional to leave screws on the top of the mantel.

@boydjohnston4178 4 жыл бұрын

Clearance to combustibles?

@Gino20202 4 жыл бұрын

Looked like she was holding that drill crooked - drilling slightly up instead of level. Some things are better left to the pros than worrying about “feel goods” of participating in the project.

@pizzaivlife 4 жыл бұрын

does the bolt being at an angle have any meaningful impact on strength though? I'm willing to bet those anchors are way stronger than they need to be, so as long as the cleat is level and flush with the stone, it should be fine

@paulhughes2894 4 жыл бұрын

Hi pail

@tedmangione4156 4 жыл бұрын

A lot of know-it-alls commenting below.

@johnny310xx 4 жыл бұрын

That gap

@scallywag1716 4 жыл бұрын

"All it is, is going to slip right in..." That's what she said...

@andrewgeorge6351 4 жыл бұрын

It too cheep it should have been a stone mantle up to Mach the wall and fireplace as I put up a marble one in my house last time.

@JeffWeight 4 жыл бұрын

Honestly I think many like the look of a wood mantle in a stone or brick fireplace. My wife had me put a larger wood mantle over a smaller brick mantle. The benefit of a wood mantle is that it’s a flat and even surface too. That stone, if thy matched it, would have been a difficult surface for things to sit on.