Mounting a fireplace mantel

[JMER817]

I'm looking to mount a 6' wide by 9" deep by 2.75 thick cherry wood mantel above the wood fireplace. Trying to figure out the best way to mount it. Don't wish to add corbels below for support. I'm thinking of adding a backer board in between the studs in the wall. Then screwing (lags) from inside the fireplace chase thru the backer board into the mantel. Thinking of also placing a small pc of angle iron in front under the mantel attached to the mantel and screwed into the wall. The angle iron will be covered with stone / mortar. Sounds like it should work right? Only concern is splitting the wood when drilling into from the backside so screw size will be critical. Any thoughts or other options?

 

[dave1949]

Make it a slide-on mantel?

A custom metal bracket firmly screwed to the framing with maybe five 3/4" X 7" round stock bars (sticking out of the room side) that are welded to the bracket. Drill five matching holes in the rear edge of the mantel for the bars to slide on to.

 

[Budweiser John]

Make it a slide-on mantel?

A custom metal bracket firmly screwed to the framing with maybe five 3/4" X 7" round stock bars (sticking out of the room side) that are welded to the bracket. Drill five matching holes in the rear edge of the mantel for the bars to slide on to.

Yup, Dave's got the right idea. Given the thickness of the mantel I think three support rods would be plenty especially using 3/4" bar stock. Simply weld or have welded the bar stock perpendicular to some 1/4 X 3" flat stock about a foot long. Weld in the center so the flat stock can be bolted to the side of the wall studs with the rods pointing outward.
Mark and drill the edge of the plank. I'de use a 1" drill for the holes,slather some construction adhesive in the holes and tap into place. Should be there for a generation or two. Don't forget a groove about 1" or a little more from the wall side for decorative plates and a electrical outlet for the Christmas lights.

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

I had the same dilemma a few years back when I did mine. I took two 18" pieces of 1" x 1/4" flat stock, lagged them to the back of the mantle so there was 10 to 12" above and below the mantle. I also spaced them so they would line up with the studs behind the fire place. Mine was a gas fireplace so no block to deal with. Then just put two 3/8" lag bolts through each piece of stele into the studs. The stone covers up all of the lag bolts and steel. If you were attaching it to a block chimney just use some tapcon screws.

Another option is a french cleat made from a 2x4. Rip one in half at a 45deg angle. Mount one half on the wall and the other on the back of the mantle. Then just set the mantle on the board on the wall and the angles lock everything in place. Google french cleat to see examples.

 

[forgeblast]

Here is mine, http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/213935-rustic-fireplace-mantle.html

 

[cartod]

I too did not want to use corbels but once I cut the ends off of the mantle and looked at them mounted underneath, I was sold.

 

[EddieWalker]

I used a couple of metal brackets from Lowes that where pretty thick and already had some holes in them with some lag bolts. Then I just screwed it all into the studs in the wall above the fireplace. Once in place, the rock went on below and above it to hide the brackets and offer support from the bottom.

Keep it simple

Eddie

 

[Western]

Cartod and Eddie, those turnout great:thumbsup: Eddie like the hidden straps, mantel looks great with the stain.

 

[wawajake]

I did a similar mantle job and did not want support wood underneath........so this hunk of maple in picture (for my daughters house) ....was hung using six 7 or 8 inch long high tensile small diameter lag screws countersunk at 45 degree angle thru mantle from top and into wood I had located previously under the drywall........and then the faux finish stone was added after (concrete product that using clips)
The lags were found at home depot, can't remember name but they were black painted 7 or 8 inch long maybe quarter inch shank thickness with a hex head that was small enough to countersink without easily seeing from top , but big enough to hold wood (tensile strength was boasted about on the package).

 

[Western]

I did a similar mantle job and did not want support wood underneath........so this hunk of maple in picture (for my daughters house) ....was hung using six 7 or 8 inch long high tensile small diameter lag screws countersunk at 45 degree angle thru mantle from top and into wood I had located previously under the drywall........and then the faux finish stone was added after (concrete product that using clips)
The lags were found at home depot, can't remember name but they were black painted 7 or 8 inch long maybe quarter inch shank thickness with a hex head that was small enough to countersink without easily seeing from top , but big enough to hold wood (tensile strength was boasted about on the package).

That one also turned out nice, great job.:thumbsup: