How to Mount a Fireplace Mantel With Electric Insert
A mantel can make your fireplace look more elegant. It's also a great spot to hang decorative items that reflect your style and personal taste.
It's important that you know the height at which the mantel should be hung to avoid it appearing awkward in the room. Consider the location where the TV will be placed and the design.
Mantel Shelf
Mantels are a classic feature of homes everywhere and can add a lovely accent to your living space. They're typically used to display family heirlooms, such as vase, pictures, and trophies. You can also use them to hang seasonal decorations like Christmas ornaments and lights. The right mantel selection will ensure it fits in with your home's interior design and creates a focal point for the room. Installing your fireplace mantel using an electric insert at the proper height will ensure that it looks its best. There are several factors to take into consideration when determining mantel's height.
The size and style of the fireplace mantel is the most important thing you should consider. Although there are many designs and materials to pick from, some are more suitable for lower or higher mounting. For example, natural stone and concrete are able to be mounted lower because they're non-combustible materials. Wood however must be installed at a higher height because it's fire-proof.
The fireplace installation manual will show you the best height to put your mantel. It usually lists the recommended heat clearances, and this is typically the maximum distance at which you can put your mantel away from the firebox. You should also consult your local building codes to learn more about heat clearances as well as other installation requirements.
After you've determined the size of your mantel, prepare the cleats that will secure it to the wall. To measure this, you need to measure the inside width of your mantel to determine its cleat's length. Cut a 2x4 cleat to this measurement and dry-fit it to the mantel to ensure that it's placed correctly.
Once you have the cleat installed and you are ready to nail it to the wall using a power drill and masonry screws. Use trigger clamps to hold the face board so it does not move when you nail it to side pieces. After you've attached the face board to the side pieces, apply a coat of wood stain to your mantel. While staining, remember that each piece of unfinished wooden has its own distinct characteristics and will accept stain in a different way.
Fireplace Corbels
There are a variety of ways to decorate the brick fireplace with an open grate, a wooden mantel and a brick grate. Make use of eucalyptus limbs and other greenery to give height and freshness to your fireplace. You can also hang a wreath, or even a few small, framed artworks.
The addition of corbels to your fireplace is another way that you can enhance the appearance of your home. They come in a variety of styles and can be made from different materials. Some are made of wood, and others are constructed of limestone or touchstone. They are sold in pairs and come with decorative finishes. They are typically light brown, but they can be stained or paint to match the decor of any room.
It is important to remember that the corbels support the weight of the mantel, and not the grate, or the fireplace. Therefore, it is important to read the fireplace manufacturer's instructions thoroughly and comprehend the installation requirements. Check your local building codes.
To put up a fireplace mantel with corbels, first mark out the position of the mantel against the wall using pencil. Then, use a level to connect the marks and draw an outline of the cleats' placement. Once the lines are marked then screw the cleats into. The edges of the cleats that are angled will lock and allow you to hang your mantel on them.
When decorating your fireplace, simple designs are often best. By using a single color, you will create a beautiful appearance, and you can also choose to repeat patterns. This can add a bit of uniformity to your fireplace's mantel.
Displaying family photos is one of the easiest and most common ways to decorate your fireplace mantel. A few of your favorite photos in your home will always remind you of them. Another option is to display framed works of art or shells from the beach. Make sure to consider the height of the decorative items and place taller items at the ends and shorter ones at the middle. This will create a balanced look.
How to install a Fireplace Inset
Install an electric insert into your existing chimney if you want the look of an open fireplace but without the hassle. This will not just increase your home's efficient on energy, but reduce the amount of creosote (a explosive residue) within your chimney, which can cause chimney fires. Check with your local fire inspections team before beginning. They may require you to hire a professional installer to ensure the installation is done properly, which will safeguard your home from fire hazards.
If they don't, the process isn't difficult and can be completed by a homeowner who has basic carpentry skills. Select a power outlet which is easily accessible to the fireplace unit. Measure Wood freestanding electric fireplace with mantel of the fireplace opening as well as the mantel for the fireplace to determine which type and size fireplace insert will fit the best. Then, you can order the required items for the task. You'll need to make frames out of boards such as pine or spruce that are the same thickness of the walls in your home in the event that you're installing a wall-mounted fireplace. You'll also require drywall and non-combustible caulking for the frame and drywall.
Once the frame is set, you can begin working on the actual fireplace. If you have freestanding fireplaces, place it on the mantel. To avoid the destruction of tile and hardwood surfaces, it is essential to put a piece of cardboard or a piece of wood on the hearth to safeguard them during the move of the unit. This is particularly important for older masonry fireplaces, which often have loose mortar and bricks that could be blown away while working.
A chimney liner is required in the event that you plan to install an insert into an existing masonry fireplace. This will prevent smoke and toxic fumes from entering the room through the fireplace opening and will aid in sealing your house throughout the year. Check the instructions of the manufacturer before you begin the project to find out how to prepare your fireplace insert and chimney.
You'll have to do more work to install an insert into an masonry fireplace than you would a wall-mounted unit, because you'll have to construct the chimney's frame. This is a job that any homeowner can complete by following the instructions and take their time.
Decorating the Mantel
One of the great things about mantels for fireplaces is that it can be decorated to appear like a work of art. Mirrors with glitter and window frames that have been distressed, rows of scented candles and more can turn the area into a stunning focal point that can enhance any style of decor. Some homeowners use the area to display small items like old bottles, ceramics or antique clocks.
The area around an electrical fireplace with flowers and plants is another option. You can choose to use trailing vine plants such as devil's Ivy and Boston Ferns to bring natural beauty and draw attention away from the artificial fire of the fireplace. Other options include mistletoe or succulents.
If you prefer a more contemporary style, think about displaying large pieces of sculpture or abstract artwork on the mantel. This type of decoration is especially effective when combined with an unobtrusive color scheme.
Rustic farmhouse art has also been gaining popularity in recent times. It typically features pastels and white, which can look stunning when used on a fireplace mantel.
Avoid cluttering the area around the electric fireplace. You can create a striking look by arranging a few objects in a clean, organized way. A row of lanterns in different sizes can be a great option for a fireplace mantel that is electric, and they can be filled with anything from vase fillers to candles. The lanterns can be decorated with simple bows and ornaments.
Electric fireplaces are a great alternative for those who want to decorate their fireplace in a stylish and functional way. This kind of fireplace offers warmth in winter and a cozy space that doesn't require heating in the summer. It is also easy to set up and comes with a remote that allows you to alter the speed of the flame and color.