Three Unique Styles of Fireplace Mantels
Different mantel designs, different materials, and different techniques all yield great results.
年代ynopsis:这里有三个代表优雅在3个壁炉e eye-catching architectural styles. You will find descriptions of both the history and construction methods for each style. There’s also a brief discussion of fire codes and a useful jig for preassembling miter joints. Read the overview on this webpage, but be sure to view the entire article, including detailed illustrations of each style of mantel, by following theview PDFlink at the bottom of the page.
Let’s face it; fireplaces are a vestige, of no more use than your appendix. Furnaces and electric ranges have long since usurped the role once played by an open flame. But while the need for a fireplace may have vanished, the desire still burns.
即使日志已经演变为陶瓷管汇with gas jets, nothing seems to diminish our abiding affection for watching flames dance. We all still crave a fireplace. And as with the photographs we’ll display there, we also want a decorative frame to go around it.
But houses vary, as do budgets and tastes. No one fireplace mantel will suit every situation. So we decided to present examples built by three of our long-time contributors. Each mantel combines traditional architectural styles with modern materials and innovative techniques. Gary M.Katz’s Federal-period mantel is made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and built in four pieces for easy transport. Gary Striegler rips stock porch columns on a tablesaw and uses the two halves to imitate the look of turned pilasters on his classic mantel. And on Sebastian Eggert’s Craftsman mantel, white-oak rails and stiles are shaped with a router and joined with biscuits.
1. Four-Piece Federal
![four piece federal fireplace mantel](http://m.ecmna114.com/images/app/uploads/2004/03/23161230/h161eg82_9405-e1650572508535.jpg)
I can’t build a fireplace mantel without thinking of the classical orders of architecture because most mantels are based on these orders. An order is an architectural form made up of a pair of columns with a beam across the top. This Federal mantel is a perfect example of order in contemporary architecture, with the pilasters representing the columns, and the frieze, cornice, and shelf representing the beam.
End blocks and modern codes
During the Federal period (c.1790-1830),mantels were simple and followed the classical orders with only two slight differences.The first is that Federal mantels have endblocks. On some mantels you’ll notice that thepilasters support the frieze. But on a Federalmantel, the pilasters extend up to the cornice创建结束块两边的效果of the frieze. I use a series of moldings to givethe end blocks the appearance of a capital.
The other difference between a mantel designed today and one designed during theFederal period is modern building codes.While the minimum distance from the topof a firebox to the nearest combustible material is almost always 12 in., clearances onthe firebox sides can differ. You can build anauthentic-looking mantel, but you must research local codes andknow the clearances.
Because this mantel will be painted, I builtit with MDF. However, for the top of theshelf, I used a preprimed finger-joint boardfrom Windsor One (www.windsorone.com)for greater durability. If I can’t build the mantel in place, I screw together the pilasters andfrieze temporarily and leanthe mantelagainsta wall to add the moldings and the shelf. ThenI break it into four pieces for easy transport.
2. Classic Eclectic
![classic eclectic fireplace mantel](http://m.ecmna114.com/images/app/uploads/2004/03/23161226/h161eg81_8220-e1650572766322.jpg)
For years I collected photos of traditional mantels to use for inspiration.Although some of my favorite designs included turned columns and carvedmoldings, they were always the first to getpassed up when it came time to build a mantel. I knew that I could buy carvings to use forthe capitals, but I also knew that I’m not verygood on a lathe. Then one day I realized thatone half of a porch post would work as amantel pilaster. As it turns out, ripping thepost was no problem, and this mantel has become one of my favorites.
Perfect fit for a tight spot
When there is not a lot of wall space arounda fireplace, building codes can make it difficult to squeeze in a mantel. This designworks well in a tight spot because it requiresonly 20 in. of wall space on each side of thefirebox: 8 in. of clearance as required by localbuilding codes, 8 in. for the pilasters, and 4 in.for the crown-molding return.
The turned pilasters add character to themantel and support a tall frieze that becomesa backdrop for the carvings. The carvings Iused on this mantel came from White River(www.mouldings.com). Most of the mantel ismade of plywood, so even with the cost of thecarvings, the mantel isn’t too expensive. Carvings add a timeless look and are always a hitwith my customers. And this mantel comeswith a bonus. Someone is bound to ask,“How did you turn those columns?”
3. Custom Craftsman
![custom craftsman fireplace mantel](http://m.ecmna114.com/images/app/uploads/2004/03/23161223/h161eg80_1359-e1650572843792.jpg)
In the early 1900s, the Greene brothers designed homes and furniture in SouthernCalifornia that would come to define theCraftsman movement. So when I was asked todesign a mantel to complement a collection ofCraftsman furniture, I knew where to turn forinspiration. The mantel has a traditional Craftsman look, balancing simple lineswith bold features and celebrating joinery.Coincidentally,my assistant, Joshua Greene, built the mantel.But as far as we know, there’s no relation.
Authentic look, artificial fireplace
The mantel uses the same aesthetic devicesthat the Greene brothers used, including hierarchy in the details. For instance, the stileson the outside of the mantel differ in thickness and width from the stiles in the center.Also, the rails are routed in the traditionalcloud-lift shape, and ebonypegs sit proud ofthe rails to dress up thescrew holes. Becausethe mantel is in a tallroom, we added an over-mantel. A mirroron theovermanteldistractsattention from the overall size of the piece.
The mantel surrounds an artificial fireplace,so the code clearances are only 6 in. Handmadetiles(www.ravenstonetiles.com) line the fireplace opening for an authentic Craftsmanlook. We selected quartersawn white oakwith strong grain patterns for the rails andstiles, and for the panels we used quartersawnwhite-oak-veneer plywood…
To view the entire article, including detailed illustrations of each style of mantel, please click theView PDFbutton below.
From FineHomebuilding #161