Read this guide to make sure the new addition to your home or office is secure and ready to handle anything!
You’ve ordered and received the perfect wood mantel, picked out the ideal spot, and are ready to make it the new centerpiece to your space. Before firing up your drill, read this step-by-step guide to make sure the installation goes smoothly.
Note: It is strongly recommended that the mantel be installed after any stone or rock for the fireplace is in place. If possible, before stoning or bricking, locate the studs in the wall or frame a horizontal 2×6 to the studs where you want the mantel to be hung and bring around it. This provides an easy way to locate wood for the following procedures.
Steps for Installing a Mantel When Studs can be Located:
Materials You’ll Need:
- Longest lag bolts that you can find at a big box store (1/2 in. diameter at 10 in long is typical)
- Drill with 5/16″ and 1/2″ bits
- Socket and socket wrench for your 1/2 in. lag bolt
- Level
- Mallet
- Scrap piece of wood that is 1 in. thick or less and the length of your mantel
- Hacksaw or angle grinder with cutoff wheel
- Speed square
- Construction adhesive
Step 1: Locate the studs behind where you want your mantel hung.
Pre-drill 5/16″ holes into the studs behind the location of the mantel. Using your level, ensure the predrilled holes are level to each other. Do your very best to pre-drill level and square to the wall. If anything, make sure your holes are at a slight angle down. It is better if your mantel is hung slightly high in the front than slightly low in the front.
Step 2: Screw in the lag bolts.
Using the appropriate socket and socket wrench, screw the lag bolts into the studs in the pre-drilled holes leaving at least five inches of the lag bolt exposed. Again, make every attempt to keep the lag bolts level and square.
Step 3: Cut off the head of the lag bolts.
Using your angle grinder and cut off wheel or hacksaw, cut off the heads of the lag bolts.
Step 4: Mark your scrap wood.
Place your scrap piece of wood under the lag bolts you just installed. Make sure it is square on your fireplace and square over the firebox opening. Using your speed square, mark lines on your scrap wood on both sides of each lag bolt.
Step 5: Drill a 1/2 in. hole in the middle of the scrap wood and between the lines that you marked with your lag bolts.
Step 6: Check to make sure your scrap wood is level.
Slide the scrap wood over the lag bolts and make sure it will slide all the way to the wall of the fireplace. Place your level on the top of the scrap wood and ensure it is level.
Step 7: Use the scrap wood as a template.
Remove your scrap wood and use it as a template. Place it on the back of your mantel and use the top of the scrap wood to level with the top of the mantel (as best as possible, knowing that the undulation of the mantel will make it difficult to be absolutely perfect). Mark holes in the back of the mantel using the scrap wood holes as your guide.
Step 8: Drill into your mantel.
Drill 1/2 in. holes where you marked your mantel, ensuring the holes are 1 in. deeper than the lag bolts stick out of your wall. IMPORTANT: Do NOT drill all the way through the front of the mantel!
Step 9: Mount your mantel on the lag bolts.
Place a small amount of adhesive in the holes in the back of the mantel. Pick up the mantel and slide it onto the two lag bolts. Use your mallet to gently tap the mantel on each side until it is all the way against the rock on your fireplace. Check for level. If the mantel is dramatically out of level, you may have to remove the mantel before the adhesive cures and tap your lag bolts one direction or another with your mallet to hep level your mantel.
Steps for Installing a Mantel When Studs Cannot be Found:
Materials You’ll Need:
- Masonry anchors and matching all-thread (you will need two pieces of all-thread about 8 in. long)
- Masonry drill bit that matches the masonry anchors
- Drill
- Wood drill bit that is the same size as the all-thread you purchased
- Level
- Mallet
- Scap piece of wood that is 1 in. thick or less and the length of your mantel
- Speed square
- Construction adhesive
Step 1: Find and mark where your mantel will go.
Find the location on the stone you want to hang the mantel. Come in about 8 in. from each side of the mantel and make a small mark on your stone/brick. if possible, find the nearest grout line and mark that. Ensure your two markings are level with each other and will be covered by your mantel.
Step 2: Follow manufacturer’s instructions for installing masonry anchors.
Using the appropriate masonry bit, drill a hole into your stone brick (grout lines are easiest) for the appropriate anchor.
Step 3: Tap the anchor into the holes you just drilled.
Step 4: Thread the all-thread
Thread the all-thread into the anchor as far as you can and leave at least five inches of all thead sticking out of the stone/brick.
Step 5: Mark your scrap wood.
Remove your scrap wood and use it as a template. Place it on the back of your mantel and use the top of the scrap wood to level with the top of the mantel (as best as possible, knowing that the undulation of the mantel will make it difficult to be absolutely perfect). Mark holes in the back of the mantel using the scrap wood holes as your guide.
Step 6: Check to make sure your scrap wood is level.
Slide the scrap wood over the all-thread and make sure it will slide all the way to the wall of the fireplace. Place your level on the top of the scrap wood and ensure it is leve.
Step 7: Use the scrap wood as a template
Remove the scrap wood and use it as a template. Place it on the back of your mantel and use the top of the scrap wood to level with the top of the mantel (as best as possible, knowing that the undulaton of the mantel will make it more difficult to be absolutely perfect. Mark holes in the back of the mantel using the scrap wood holes as your guide.
Step 8: Drill into your mantel.
Drill holes that are the same diameter as your all-thread where you marked your mantel ensuring that they are 1 in. deeper than the lag bolts stick out of your wall, but DO NOT DRILL, ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE FRONT OF THE MANTEL.
Step 9: Mount your mantel.
Place a small amount of adhesive in the holes in the back of the mantel. Pick up the mantel and slide it onto the pieces of all-thread. Use your mallet to gently tap the mantel on each side until it is all the way against the rock on the fireplace. Check for level. If the mantel is dramatically out of level, you may have to remove the mantel before the adhesive cures and tap the all-thread one direction or another with your mallet to help level the mantel. Be very careful with this step because you could loosen the anchors.