Mantel Clearance for Fireplaces

Combustible Material

• Guidelines regarding mantel height requirements usually only pertain to mantels made from combustible materials such as wood. A mantel made from marble, on the other hand, is not a combustible material and typically would not have any clearance requirements.

Mantel Depth

• How far the combustible mantel sticks out from the wall is what determines how high from the fireplace you must install it. The deeper the mantel, the higher it should be installed to be safe and in compliance with local building code. Fireplace and mantel manufacturers may also recommend installation heights. If the manufacturer recommends a shorter clearance than your local building code, meet building code first.

Building Code

• The proper amount of clearance between the bottom of a combustible mantel and the top of the fireplace varies among local ordinances. Contact your county, city or town building and planning office, which will direct you to the proper department to verify building code for mantel installation. You can always install a mantel at a higher height than recommended but not lower.

General Height Clearance

• Expect to install a 1 1/2- to 2-inch-thick combustible mantel between 3 and 8 inches above the fireplace. A mantel 6 to 8 inches thick typically must be installed 6 to 12 inches above the fireplace. A mantel that's 12 inches or deeper usually must be at least 12 inches above the fireplace.