How to Construct a Fireplace Mantel

Mantels are a common accessory for fireplaces. Their function is often to hold pictures, collectibles and stockings for Christmas. Mantels are commonly made out of a hardwood such as oak or walnut, and are usually attached to a brick or stone wall above the fireplace. Building a mantel isn't necessarily a difficult task, especially when the design is kept basic, and shouldn't require more than a couple of hours' labor. Building your own mantel will also save you a reasonable amount of money when compared with paying a carpenter to design, build and install one.

Oak board, 1 by 4 by 48 inches 2 oak boards, 1 by 1 by 46 inches Oak board, 1 by 6 by 48 inches 2 oak boards, 1 by 4 by 5 inches Screw gun Hammer drill Drill bit, 3/32 inch Concrete drill bit, 1/8 inch Level Sand paper, medium and fine grades Tack cloth Wood stain 20 wood screws, 1 3/4 inches 4 concrete screws, 4 inches

Instructions

- 1
  Lay the 1-by-4-by-48-inch board flat and horizontal. Position one of the 1-by-1-by-46-inch boards along the top edge so it is flush with the 48-inch edge and 1 inch away from both ends of the 48-inch board. Pre-drill four evenly spaced holes with your 3/32-inch bit through the 1-by-1-by-46-inch board and halfway into the 48-inch board. Attach the 1-by-1-by-46-inch board to the 48-inch board with the 1 3/4-inch screws. Repeat this process on the bottom edge of the board with the other 1-by-1-by-46-inch board.
- 2
  Lay the 1-by-6-by-48-inch board flat and horizontal. Position the boards that were screwed together in the previous step so it is on edge, and so one of the 1-by-1-by-46-inch boards is 1 inch from the top edge and 1 inch from each end. The top edge of the 1-by-6-by-48-inch board should be flush with the 1-by-4-by-48-inch board. Pre-drill four evenly spaced, 3/32-inch holes through the 1-by-1-by-46-inch board that is lying on the 1-by-6-by-48-inch board, and drill halfway into the 1-by-6-by-48-inch board. Fasten with four 1 3/4-inch screws through the 1-by-1-by-46-inch board into the 1-by-6-by-48-inch board.
- 3
  Lay a 1-by-4-by-5-inch board flat, so the 4-inch sides are horizontal. Pre-drill two 3/32-inch holes through the top corners of the board. The holes should be 1/2 inch from the top and 1/2 inch from the ends of the board. Position the board so the holes line up with the center of the ends of the 1-by-1-by-46-inch boards and screw it to those boards. Repeat this process with the other 1-by-4-by-5-inch board on the opposite end of the mantel.
- 4
  Sand the entire project with the medium- and fine-grain sandpaper. Wipe it down thoroughly with the tack cloth, then apply the wood stain. Let the stain dry according to its instructions.
- 5
  Drill four evenly spaced, 1/8-inch holes through the 1-by-1-by-46-inch board that is not attached to the 1-by-6-by-48-inch board. Use the level to position the mantel above the fireplace. Drill through the pre-drilled, 1/8-inch holes into the stone, brick, or concrete above the fireplace with the hammer drill. Attach the mantel to the fireplace using the 4-inch screws.

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