What Kind of Material Can You Use Around a Wood Fireplace?

Wooden Mantels

• Fireplace mantles can be made of many types of wood, but mainly are fabricated from hardwoods such as oak, maple, cherry, walnut or mahogany. Flat panels may be made of solid hardwood or veneered plywood. Moldings typically are made of poplar or the same hardwood as flat panels. Inexpensive wooden mantels may be made of birch or pine with hardboard panels. Prefabricated wooden mantels are sold either ready to stain or ready to paint.

Stone Mantels

• Fireplace mantles and surrounds may also be made of natural carved stone, cast stone or cast concrete. Common stone materials for mantels and surrounds are slate, marble, limestone, travertine, sandstone and granite. Fireplace surrounds may also be made from ceramic tiles in various designs and finishes. A major advantage of stone and concrete mantels is that they are noncombustible and don’t require a noncombustible stone or tile surround between the mantle and firebox unless desired for appearance

Mantel Safety

• National fire safety codes are fussy about use of decorative wood around a fireplace. They specify that wood or wood-based combustible materials used in a fireplace mantle must be at least 6 inches from the edge of the firebox, with a noncombustible material like a tile surround placed between firebox and mantel. This rule applies for projections less than 1.5 inches from the face of the fireplace. The mantle shelf and any other parts of the surround that project more than 1.5 inches must be at least 12 inches away from the firebox’s edges. Local jurisdictions can enact more stringent regulations, so you should check with your local building inspector regarding wooden mantle/surround clearance requirements.

Installations

• When installing a surround and mantel, you should have appropriate cutting and fastening tools and work clothing. Coat stone or ceramic surround tiles with clear sealer before installing. Mix up thinset mortar according to product directions and spread it over the ends of the firebox bricks and framing. Also, spread it over the backside of each tile. Press tiles into place and tap lightly with a rubber mallet to set them. Use spacers between tiles and a support for the horizontal tiles over the firebox. After the tile dries, set the mantel against the wall and mark its edges. For wooden mantels, screw wooden mounting cleats into wall studs. Set your mantel on the cleats, check for fit and screw or nail the mantel to the cleats. For stone mantels, secure to the wall with thinset cement and fasteners specified by the manufacturer.