How to Attach a Mantel on a Wood Fireplace in a Brick Wall

A fireplace mantel acts as a frame for the firebox opening, adding a decorative touch to the fireplace and providing a shelf for pictures or other items. Fire safety regulations require that mantels be kept a certain distance away from the firebox opening to prevent combustion. Check your local building codes to find out the specifics before purchasing or making a mantel. When mounting a mantel, use a hammer drill attachment, which fits onto a power drill and both rotates and taps the bit through masonry. These devices are available at hardware stores and home centers.

3-foot level
Torpedo level
Shims
Pencil
Tape measure
Saw
2-inch by 4-inch lumber
Hammer drill attachment
Drill
1/2-inch-diameter carbide-tipped masonry bit
Screwdriver bit
2-1/2-inch concrete screws
2-inch drywall screws

Instructions

- 1
  Set the mantel in place and centered over the fireplace opening. Level the mantel left to right with a 3-foot level, and use a torpedo level to determine whether it is level front to back. Place shims under the legs of the mantel to bring it into level. If your mantel is a shelf style, not a surround type with legs, steady the unit at level in both directions.
- 2
  Trace the outline of the mantel onto the wall, using a pencil and a light touch.
- 3
  Measure the size of the cleats you will need to cut by using a tape measure to determine the lengths and widths, measuring on the back side of the mantel. Start with the cleat for the top of the mantel, and then measure what will be needed for each leg. The cleats should fit tightly against the back of the mantel face and not extend farther than the back edge --- the edge that will rest against the brick wall.
- 4
  Cut 2-inch by 4-inch boards to the correct dimensions, using a table or circular saw.
- 5
  Measure the thickness of the mantel top and legs to determine how far back you will need to mount the cleats from the reference lines you scribed in Step 2. Transfer those measurements to the reference lines and mark them on the wall.
- 6
  Chuck a hammer drill attachment into a power drill and chuck a 1/2-inch-diameter carbide-tipped masonry bit into the attachment. Hold the top cleat in the exact location where it will be mounted. Drill four pilot holes, evenly spaced, through the cleat and into the brick behind it. Make sure you drill into the brick, not the mortar, since brick is more dense and will grip the mounting screws better.
- 7
  Switch the hammer drill attachment to the "drill only" setting and chuck a screwdriver bit. Attach the top cleat to the brick with 2-1/2-inch concrete screws.
- 8
  Repeat Steps 6 and 7 for the two legs, if present on your mantel.
- 9
  Slide the mantel over the cleats and push it flush to the brick wall. Screw 2-inch drywall screws through the back top of the mantel into the center of the top cleat. Next, screw the legs to their respective cleats the same way. Space the screws about 16 inches apart.

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