How Wide Should A Fireplace Mantel Shelf Be

The mantel shelf over the fireplace is one of the most important elements in integrating a fireplace into a room s decor.

How wide should a fireplace mantel shelf be.

Just for an example. Add an inch to the distance for every inch that the mantel protrudes. My fireplace is 12 feet high and 75 inches wide. My actual fire box is 42 inches my mantle or the big chunk of wood i am putting on it will be 71 long but how wide should it be.

In the taller room the mantel would make a more unified statement with a wider and possibly thicker mantel. This mantle or wood piece is to small for me. Most housing codes and the national fire protection agency nfpa state that the bottom of the mantel must be at least 12 away from the top of the fireplace box. But never less than the width of the stiles.

If you re thinking about mounting a mantel or flat screen but aren t sure how high should a mantel shelf be above a fireplace we ve got you covered. Let s break down what you need to know to get the job done and done right. The treatment should extend up the wall not stop at the 8 foot mark to chop the room. As a general rule a mantel is placed about 12 inches above the fireplace opening.

However in order to fully reap the benefits of a mantel shelf it is important that you properly place it. If only i knew what size it is has a staring off p. A 42 inch fireplace will probably have a mantel width of 54 inches. For a quick calculation on size make sure that the mantel shelf width divided by 2 is less than the width from the fireplace center to any wall window door or shelf.

We recommend installing the mantel 4 5 from the floor. The average height for a fireplace mantle varies by personal preference as well as locality. Below the mantel shelf is the entablature the same as in the classical orders. Or at least the same width.

As a general rule they range between 50 and 60 inches but are a number of factors can influence the actual height ranging from the type of stove or fireplace you are installing to the material your mantle is created from plus national and local fire codes. A good mantel can complement the fireplace s aesthetic while simultaneously making its own decorative statement. This allows room for stockings during the holidays. The main factor for distance will come down to the face height of your mantel.

The entablature below the shelf and crown should be deeper than the stiles legs of the mantel are wide.