How To Make Your Own Fireplace Mantel

A decorative electric fireplace (http://www.portablefireplace.com/fireplace-mantels/) is always a site to behold in any interior space. Other than its ability to provide heat, its design and structure are what makes it all the more interesting. Although the simulated fire and music are what heightens the beauty of an electric fireplace, its mantel is also a contributing element that makes it unique. However, as purchasing a new mantel could be pretty expensive, making your own could save you more bucks that you could use for other things.

Before you proceed with your mantel for your electric fireplace heater (http://www.portablefireplace.com/fireplace-mantels/), you should first know what a mantel is. Basically, mantel is the shelf-like feature that sits on the wall often located above the mouth of the fireplace. This part is often incorporated to enhance the space where a fireplace would be placed and doubles as a decorative feature where a homeowner can place different objects such as photographs and figurines. Commonly, the mantel is available as a separate piece from the fireplace, but can also be bought already assembled with the fire feature.

While you have the option to purchase the mantel of your electric fireplace heater, customizing your mantel is a good way to add character to your fire feature. By constructing your own mantel, you would be able to create a unique fixture based from your chosen concept or theme. Though this project might require more than a DIY ability, your efforts would surely pay off as this is a cheap way to get quality mantel without purchasing. To start your mantel project, be sure to have the following tools: saw, nail gun, crown molding, wood glue, router, level, wooden boards and paint.

Measure your fireplace as well as the location where you intend to place your fireplace mantel (http://www.portablefireplace.com). Be sure to add at 3/4 of an inch to the measurements you made so as to properly accommodate the thickness of the boards that you will use. Don't forget to use a level when marking the location of your mantel in order to avoid squiggly lines. After measuring the fireplace and fireplace location, create your mantel design by following your personal concept and indicate the dimensions of your mantel according to the measurements you've acquired from the fireplace.

Make the legs of your fireplace mantel by making an incomplete box from three boards, which you would eventually mount on the wall. Cut the side and front pieces of each leg and secure them together by gluing and nailing. Mount the legs on the wall by securing the sides of the box with nails. To highlight the appearance of your mantel legs, place pieces of crown moldings around the sides of the legs.

Now that you have already installed the legs of your fireplace mantel, create the mantel shelf and top with the use of a frieze board and then nail and glue it an the top of the legs. To ensure that the mantel shelf and top are strong, nail them to the wall and place crown moldings around its sides for decoration. To achieve smoother edges, use a router to scrap of tiny particles on the edge of your mantel. Then, paint it according to your desired color scheme to complement the interiors of your home.

About The Author You want to accentuate your boring electric fireplace heater (http://www.portablefireplace.com/fireplacemantels.html) but you don't really know where to start? You might want to try your hands on customizing your fireplace mantel (http://www.portablefireplace.com/fireplacemantel.html). By doing your own mantel, you would surely achieve the look that you want for your fireplace. Changing the mantel of your electric fireplace heater would require more than just DIY expertise, so it would be preferable to ask tips from professionals before you proceed doing things yourself.