How to Build a Rustic Stone Mantel

Making the Mantel

• 1

  Measure the width and length of the fireplace where you want to install the mantel. Add 2 inches to the width and 4 inches to the length. Cut a piece of 3-inch-thick wood to match the measurements. If the fireplace is flush to the wall, make the width a minimum of 6 inches.

• 2

  Paint or stain the wood piece as desired. Apply two coats, if necessary, for thorough coverage. Let the paint or stain dry overnight between coats.

• 3

  Turn the wood piece onto its 3-inch side. Apply liquid construction adhesive to the back of small stones or river rocks. Place the stones along one of the 3-inch sides on the front and sides of the board. Place the stones into any pattern you desire, whether close or far apart. Let the adhesive dry overnight. Keep the size of stones to a maximum of 1 inch; otherwise, they will be too large to adhere to the wood.

Installing the Mantel

• 4

  Hold the mantel against the wall above the fireplace where you want it to hang. Use a level to check the mantel for evenness. Have an assistant draw a line across the top of the mantel on the wall to indicate where the top edge rests. Remove the mantel.

• 5

  Run a stud finder over the wall where you drew the line to locate the studs. When the stud finder beeps, mark the location on the wall. Most homes have one stud every 16 inches.

• 6

  Hold the mantel back up to the fireplace and rest the top edge along the line you drew in Step 1. Use a handheld drill to make a pilot hole through the top of the mantel at a 45-degree angle. Place one pilot hole at each stud, spaced 1 inch in from the back edge of the wall

• 7

  Attach the mantel to the wall by using the holes you drilled in Step 3. Use 4-inch nails or wood screws through the holes into the studs.

• 8

  Place an L-shaped bracket on the underside of the mantel on each stud. Place the bend of the bracket against the mantel where it meets the wall so that one leg rests on the wall and one rests on the mantel. Secure the bracket to the wall and the underside of the mantel with screws. Place one screw through each hole on the L-bracket.