How to Measure for a Fireplace Mantel

Measuring for a Fireplace Mantel

Sitting in your living room area, you might be considering the purchase of a new fireplace mantel or replacement of an old one. This can be a smart way of updating the look of your room to match your style. When planning for a fireplace mantel, accurate measurements play a crucial role since they form the basis for crafting the mantel. Taking the correct measurements is not only important, but it can also be a challenge sometimes. Remember that your fireplace mantel is like a picture frame put around a photo, and frames the surrounding facing material you wish to reveal. Facing material, typically brick, tile, marble, or granite, is the material that surrounds the fireplace opening.

Steps to Measure for Your Fireplace Mantel

Begin with measuring the width and height of the fireplace opening including the facing material. This is to determine the inside opening of the mantel surround. For example, for a fire place opening of 36 inches that has six inches of tile on either side, a mantel with an inside opening of no greater than 48 inches (36+12) will be needed. Similarly, for a fireplace opening 32 inches tall with eight inches of tiles above that opening, an inside opening of no greater than 40 inches (32+8) will be needed. It's a usual practice to let the inside opening of the mantel overlap the facing material by half to an inch, depending on the area. In some cases, there is a hearth (area in front of the fireplace) that may be either flush with the floor or raised by as much as a foot. This is a very important when measuring for your fireplace mantel since it determines whether you can have the legs of the mantel ‘‘sit'' on the hearth, sit on the outside, or wrap around the hearth.

If you need further customization, seek advice from experts and you will have a mantel that meets your specific needs and suits your style.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lisa Becker is an avid home decorator and writes for Fireplace Mantels 123: Shop For Your Perfect Fireplace Mantel and Surround. Her expertise regarding fireplace mantels and surrounds provides insight into the world of interior design and home decorating.

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