Fireplace Mantel Measuring & General Info
Always consult your local building codes and firebox specifications before you begin.
If you require assistance, please fill in our “On-Site Measurements Form” with all relevant information. We also recommend that you email us a photo of your current fireplace. After you submit the information our staff will follow up with you to help you on your order.
Certain things to consider:
The size and type of firebox: prefab sheet metal or masonry. The height from floor.The space around the box, Wall width and any obstacles, such as the location of your gas valve and key.Your desired finished height and width of your mantel All these factors may limit your design options.
For wood mantels and surrounds, the opening size of your mantel is also determined by building code or manufacturers' requirements for adequate clearance from the edge of the firebox to a combustible wooden mantel.
You need to choose a size that meets your needs for a properly scaled mantel, but more importantly also meets or exceeds minimum code clearances.
Your builder, fireplace supplier, or local building inspector can tell you the minimum clearance requirements for combustable wood mantels.
Our cast limestone mantels are made with non-combustible materials and may be placed right up to the fireplace opening.
Color Samples
It always helps to have the color samples on hand to compare against your tile, wall color and general color scheme of the actual room it is intended for, because colors will look different when placed against other colors and lighting.
Having samples on hand is also recommended because most orders are custom manufactured specifically for you so making sure the color and mantel you choose is the right choice for you is of utmost importance as we offer no refunds other than to replace factory shipped defective product only, and not including any labor required.
Hearth Options.
The hearth is the extension on the floor underneath the fireplace surround, most fireplaces require a non-combustible hearth extension in front of your fireplace, it may be tile or stone, it can be raised or flat. Your builder, fireplace supplier, or local building inspector can tell you what the minimum requirements are for your fireplace if any.
Aesthetically, the height of the firebox from the floor will determine the possibilities available.
We offer complimentary in home design consultations to our southern California customers and our factory is open by appointment.
Call us @ 760-288-4885 to schedule an appointment.
Overmantel
As the name implies, the overmantel
is the section above the mantel.
Usually extends to the ceiling, but not always.
Mantel Shelf
The term mantel shelf refers to just the
shelf alone.
Fireplace Surround
We use the term fireplace surround to
refer to the entire surround of the two uprights
and the mantel shelf.
Hearth
The hearth is the section beneath the fireplace.
It can be flat on the floor or raised. If there is combustible material on the floor such as carpet, most building codes require some sort of non-combustible hearth to extend in front of the fireplace.
The depth of the hearth will vary per your local building code. Usually 18"-20" deep
2010 Home & Mantel Design Studio
