Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - making a mantel for my existing fireplace
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panthrcat
02-01-05, 07:59 PM
Hi and I hope this topic hasn't been addressed, I looked but couldn't find anything regarding this......
my question: How do I go about building a mantel for my already existing gas fireplace? it sticks out from the wall and is off center between two windows, and thought that if there was a mantel made to help it, I could manage to accent the one lopsided side with something. there must be a code of sorts for how close the mantel can be, or what it's made from,, any advice or help in this area would be greatly appreciated! :thumbup:
panthrcat/Sue :)
my question: How do I go about building a mantel for my already existing gas fireplace? it sticks out from the wall and is off center between two windows, and thought that if there was a mantel made to help it, I could manage to accent the one lopsided side with something. there must be a code of sorts for how close the mantel can be, or what it's made from,, any advice or help in this area would be greatly appreciated! :thumbup:
panthrcat/Sue :)
Mike Swearingen
02-01-05, 08:21 PM
You can check with your local Building Inspection Department regarding code, but normally a mantle should be at least 12" or more above a fireplace opening.
You can mount a solid beam mantle or build a framed-and-boxed mantle by drilling into the mortar between bricks with a masonry bit, driving lead plugs into the holes, matching up the plugs and screwing lag bolts into them for framing for a framed-and-boxed mantle.
If you decide to do a solid beam, come back on this same thread, and I'll tell you how to do that too (a little different...I've done both.)
Good Luck!
Mike
You can mount a solid beam mantle or build a framed-and-boxed mantle by drilling into the mortar between bricks with a masonry bit, driving lead plugs into the holes, matching up the plugs and screwing lag bolts into them for framing for a framed-and-boxed mantle.
If you decide to do a solid beam, come back on this same thread, and I'll tell you how to do that too (a little different...I've done both.)
Good Luck!
Mike
winjer
02-02-05, 09:16 AM
but they differ from municipality to municipality. These codes define how far above the fireplace opening the bottom of the mantel must be (there is a minimum distance requirement). There are also codes for the fireplace surround - which must be a non-combustible material (marble, stone). I think you're safe almost anywhere if you have at least 8 inches of surround on the sides and top.
For instance, when I made my own mantel for a new fireplace I put in, I designed it to stick out 10 inches from the wall - according to code I had to make certain that the mantel was at least 21 inches above the fireplace opening. Check your county's website or give them a call to find out. You can also contact a local retailer that is selling the fireboxes and they should know, or at least put you in touch with an installer who knows.
To make a mantel, I just got two different sizes of crown molding (one with dentil to make it fancy) and attached them to some 2x4's that bolted to the wall above the fireplace - looks as good as any mantel I've seen in a store and cost about 1/2. If you've ever cut and hung crown molding, then this is an easy way to custom make a very nice mantel.
If I were you, I'd look at centering the fireplace between the windows. If it sticks out from the wall that shouldn't be too hard of a job. If you're going to the effort, you might as well make it perfect.
For instance, when I made my own mantel for a new fireplace I put in, I designed it to stick out 10 inches from the wall - according to code I had to make certain that the mantel was at least 21 inches above the fireplace opening. Check your county's website or give them a call to find out. You can also contact a local retailer that is selling the fireboxes and they should know, or at least put you in touch with an installer who knows.
To make a mantel, I just got two different sizes of crown molding (one with dentil to make it fancy) and attached them to some 2x4's that bolted to the wall above the fireplace - looks as good as any mantel I've seen in a store and cost about 1/2. If you've ever cut and hung crown molding, then this is an easy way to custom make a very nice mantel.
If I were you, I'd look at centering the fireplace between the windows. If it sticks out from the wall that shouldn't be too hard of a job. If you're going to the effort, you might as well make it perfect.
panthrcat
02-03-05, 05:13 AM
hello and thank you for your response!
now the fireplace is off center (like I said) and in regard to what you said about moving it to be center between two windows.. would that not be a tough job? that was why I thought I would try to work it into a mantel,, with the gas lines and such ,, it sticks out from the wall only a few inches,, but the vent goes out behind it, and up the outside wall,, all seems like a lot of work.. I often wondered what the people were thinking when they installed it,, musta been an oversight on their part huh
Sue
now the fireplace is off center (like I said) and in regard to what you said about moving it to be center between two windows.. would that not be a tough job? that was why I thought I would try to work it into a mantel,, with the gas lines and such ,, it sticks out from the wall only a few inches,, but the vent goes out behind it, and up the outside wall,, all seems like a lot of work.. I often wondered what the people were thinking when they installed it,, musta been an oversight on their part huh
Sue
winjer
02-03-05, 07:48 AM
If the fireplace was added after the house was built, then I'd guess whoever put it in was replacing a door or window - that would explain why its off center between the surround windows.
The person who installed the fireplace perhaps didn't want to mess with moving the header on a load bearing wall, so they just put the fireplace into the slot where the door or window used to be. (The header is a piece of heavy lumber that spans over the top of a door or window to bear the weight - obviously a door or window opening cannot bear any weight). You don't want to mess with headers unless you have to.
Anyway, my comment about moving the fireplace was based on my assumption that the existing fireplace was NOT built into the wall (I thought it stuck out into the room the depth of the firebox.).
So, if you have to start tearing into the load bearing wall, this becomes a much more complicated job. No impossible, but more complicated because you need to build a false load bearing wall before you can move headers and add reinforcement to the existing load bearing wall.
Unless you are a highly motivated DYI'er, I wouldn't chance it.
The person who installed the fireplace perhaps didn't want to mess with moving the header on a load bearing wall, so they just put the fireplace into the slot where the door or window used to be. (The header is a piece of heavy lumber that spans over the top of a door or window to bear the weight - obviously a door or window opening cannot bear any weight). You don't want to mess with headers unless you have to.
Anyway, my comment about moving the fireplace was based on my assumption that the existing fireplace was NOT built into the wall (I thought it stuck out into the room the depth of the firebox.).
So, if you have to start tearing into the load bearing wall, this becomes a much more complicated job. No impossible, but more complicated because you need to build a false load bearing wall before you can move headers and add reinforcement to the existing load bearing wall.
Unless you are a highly motivated DYI'er, I wouldn't chance it.
winjer
02-03-05, 07:53 AM
Hey I just realized from your handle that we probably live in the same area - mountains to the Northwest and Mrytle Beach to the Southeast.
Wait until next season, when they are healthy again (Cross fingers).
Anyway, good luck with your mantel project. Give the "Banbridge Crew" a call, I'm sure they won't charge you more than $30,000 or $40,000!
Wait until next season, when they are healthy again (Cross fingers).
Anyway, good luck with your mantel project. Give the "Banbridge Crew" a call, I'm sure they won't charge you more than $30,000 or $40,000!
winjer
02-03-05, 08:29 AM
OOps! You're in Canada - I thought the Pantercat referred to the Carolina Panthers (NFL) - sorry bout that.
:wall:
:wall:
panthrcat
02-03-05, 07:05 PM
LOL for a second there I thought we were neighbours!!! but I knew that Mrytle Beach just ain't anywhere near me!! but nice try
ok now for a little history,, nope, the fireplace is put into an addition that was added to the house, and from many many issues regarding said house,, nope, the dummy just picked a spot and decided that was the one he wanted fireplace :wall: the guy obviously had no direction.. it's on an empty wall,, I fear of what's really behind it, we have found some nightmares behind these ol walls.. live wires being the most scariest
Sue from Ontario :rolleyes:
ok now for a little history,, nope, the fireplace is put into an addition that was added to the house, and from many many issues regarding said house,, nope, the dummy just picked a spot and decided that was the one he wanted fireplace :wall: the guy obviously had no direction.. it's on an empty wall,, I fear of what's really behind it, we have found some nightmares behind these ol walls.. live wires being the most scariest
Sue from Ontario :rolleyes: