How to Design & Make a Wood Mantel

Measure your hearth's width using your measuring tape. The hearth consists of the brick flooring that extends outward from the fireplace itself.

Write "M" on one of the 1-by-6 in planks using your pencil, designating it as the mantle. The mantle consists of the horizontal board that serves to support decorations and knick-knacks.

Write "H" on one of the 1-by-6 in planks using your pencil, designating it as the horizontal support.

Write "L" on one of the 1-by-4-inch squares and "R" on the other 1-by-4-inch squares using your pencil, designating them as left and right joint supports.

Cut the "M" plank to the same width as your hearth using your circular saw.

Cut the "H" plank to 2 inches less than your "M" plank.

Mark your "dado" joint marks at 6 inches in from each outer edge of the M plank, using the measuring tape and pencil. A dado joint consists of a slot cut into the wood, so you can glue the pieces together.

Mark your dado joint marks at 5 inches in from each outer edge of the H plank using the measuring tape and pencil. Because the horizontal support beam measures 2 inches shorter than the mantle plank, you want to split this difference, which equals 1 inch. Subtracting this inch from the 6-inch distance of the mantle's dado joint mark leaves you with 5 inches.

Adjust the table saw's depth lock to a depth of 1/4 inch. This will position the blade 1/4 inch above the table, so it will cut 1/4 inch into a board.

Cut 1/4-inch deep dado joints into the mantle plank and the horizontal support plank using the table saw.

Spread a 1/16-inch layer of wood glue in the dado joints.

Clamp the 1-inch-by-6 1/4-inch joint support planks length-wise into the mantle's dado joints and widthwise into the horizontal planks dado joints using the wood clamps. Wipe away all excess glue that spills out as you tighten the clamps using a wet cloth. Allow the glue to dry for 24 to 36 hours.

Paint the mantle using the white heat-resistant paint and the paintbrush.