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Fireplace with mantel.
A well-designed mantel completes the look of a fireplace and of a room.

Framing Your Hearth with a Mantel
Skill Level: Intermediate
 
 
Give your fireplace the attention it deserves by adding a mantel. Putting up a pre-assembled mantel is an easy task for someone who is moderately skilled in home improvement, along with a helper. It can be done in a few hours, and the required tools are probably already in your toolbox. Lowe's is happy to provide this information as a service to you.
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Article Content
Tools & Materials
Installing the Mantel
Making Preparations
Installing the Mounting Boards
Attaching the Mantel
Finishing the Job
Tools & Materials
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Tools

Materials

  • Pre-assembled mantel with mounting boards
  • Silicone adhesive for fireplaces with ceramic or tile facing
  • Shims
  • Wood filler/putty
  • 6d finishing nails
  • 3" wood screws/toggle bolts
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Installing the Mantel

Want to update the appearance of your fireplace? Add a new mantel to improve the look of your hearth. Installing a pre-assembled one will be easy, and you can find one in primed, painted, unfinished oak or finished oak to match your home's decor.

Mantel installation varies based on the manufacturer. The following steps cover installation of a mantel without ceramic or marble facing. If you're attaching the mantel to ceramic or marble, follow the directions provided by the manufacturer.


Idea Good idea: Check the Uniform Building Codes in your area for the required clearance around fireplace inserts.
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Making Preparations
  1. If the mantel is unfinished, paint or finish it before installing it.


  2. Remove any floor moulding that may interfere with the installation.


  3. Butt the mantel against the wall, centering it with the fireplace opening.


  4. Use a level to make sure the mantel is plumb. Use shims if necessary.


  5. Draw an outline of the mantel on the wall. Remove the mantel.

Mantel outline diagram.
Outline the mantel on the wall and mark mounting board guidelines.
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Installing the Mounting Boards
  1. On the top and sides of the outline, measure in 3/4" and draw a level line parallel to the top and sides outline to serve as the guidelines for the mounting boards. (Measurements differ based on the brand of mantel.)


  2. Find studs in the wall along the guideline.


  3. Horizontally center the top mounting board on the inside of the guideline. Attach to the wall with 3" wood screws (based on the thickness of the mounting board).
Mantel centering diagram.
Center and align mounting boards on the inside of the guidelines.
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Attaching the Mantel
  1. Vertically center mounting boards on the inside of the side guidelines. Attach them to the wall with 3" wood screws. If no studs are available, use toggle bolts for the side mounting boards.


  2. Place the mantel on the mounting boards.


  3. Attach the mantel to the mounting boards with finishing nails. It's best to nail in from the top and from the side to prevent damaging the front of the mantel.


  4. Leave about one-quarter of the nail head showing and drive the nail below the surface with a nail set.
Mantel attachment diagram.
Use a nail set to drive nails below the surface.
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Finishing the Job

Cover the nail heads with putty and caulk the seams at the walls if necessary. Trim moulding is also included for full surround mantels.
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These How-To's are provided as a service from Lowe's, the Original Home Improvement Warehouse of How-To information for the World Wide Web. The information in Lowe's "How-To" clinics is intended to simplify jobs around the house. Tools, products, materials, techniques, building codes and local regulations change; therefore, Lowe's assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any project. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed professional if in doubt about any procedures. Please read our terms of use.