We all share memories and visions of a cold evening with a roaring fire in the perfect fireplace. Hot cocoa, a good book, and a comfortable chair are the easy parts of the picture, but it is the mantel that really makes the difference. And an antique mantel is the best of all.

Mantels are one of the most attractive features of a house. If you are thinking of installing an antique one, there is some basic information that you will need. Salvaged antique mantels almost always have higher quality and better handcraftsmanship than new ones. A bonus is that you can be sure that your neighbor won't have the identical model! Generally, reclaimed mantels are more affordable than new ones of comparable quality. A vintage mantel is also a good investment that will at least retain its value, and may appreciate. Remember also, that if you are installing a mantel, you can always take it out, and take it with you when you move!

The Fire Code

Any mantel must comply with the fire code. To avoid stressful house inspections, you need to understand what a fire-safe area is. It is any non-flammable surface such as marble, stone, slate, tile or brick. Most codes dictate eight inches of fire-safe surface around the entire opening of the firebox. Existing fireboxes should also comply with the new code for safety. Your city building inspector will give you detailed specifications.

If you are using stone, the fire code is rarely an issue. Stone is a non-flammable surface that can abut the firebox opening, and most stone fireplaces are at least 8 inches wide. Wooden mantels need to be larger to allow for a fire-resistant surface around the firebox. This can be an attractive feature if it is made of tiles or marble.

Styles of Mantels

Now the fun begins. If you are completing a restoration or addition, the period and style of the house will guide your choices of style and materials.

Wood, marble, stone, slate; traditional, Federal, Victorian, Arts and Crafts – the choices are almost endless. But mantels come in two basic forms – a standard fireplace surround, and a surround fitted with an overmantel. An overmantel has a frame that sits on top of the standard mantel for a mirror, painting or carved panel. It may come as two pieces, or as a single unit. Ceiling height and personal taste will tell if an overmantel is right for you.

Stone Mantels

It is a common misconception that stone mantels are pricey, hard to install, and even harder to find. Don’t close the door on stone yet. Marble and slate are the most common stones used in mantels in the United States: limestone was often used in Europe.

Marble mantels come in many colors and styles. White marble was the most commonly used. Prices vary by style, color detail, size and age. Starting at $900, and averaging around $2,500, marble mantels dating from the mid-nineteenth century to the first quarter of the twentieth can fit into many budgets. Eighteenth-century ones start at $4,000 and go up from there. New carved marble mantels are hard to find. Most of the new mantels are made of a pressed cast marble dust. Distinguishing old from new can be difficult at first, but all old mantels are hand carved or incised.

Slate mantels were usually faux painted to resemble marble in the mid to late nineteenth century. You may choose to leave the Victorian faux painting or to strip the paint if it is damaged. Many different colored slates were used, and stripping the paint may reveal an interesting variety of natural earthy colors. Slate mantels range in price from about $500 to $2,000. Most cost about $1,200.

Old European limestone mantels were imported in the late nineteenth century, and reproductions are being brought in today. Limestone mantels are beautiful, but buy one only from a reputable dealer.

Stone mantels can have either a square or an arched top to the opening. They can also have scalloped and shaped edges. Most square fireboxes can be easily modified to accommodate these shapes. Installing a stone mantel is easier than you might think. Most masons will take pleasure in being able to work with such beautiful antiques. But do make sure when buying your mantel, that all the necessary pieces are there, and that they are numbered on the back to guide the installer.

Wooden Mantels

A wooden mantel may suit you better than a stone one. You will find a range of woods and finishes to choose from. Mantels were made in many types of wood — oak, chestnut, fir, pine are some of the most common.. If you are going to paint your mantel then a secondary wood, such as poplar, pine or fur will be sufficient. But if you want a natural finish, you will be better off with a primary wood, such as oak, chestnut or cherry. Antique mantels were usually made of old growth timber, and have excellent graining. They have also stabilized over time. The detail on them may be carved into the wood, carved in separate pieces and applied, or cast in composition and applied.

Wooden mantels are priced by size, style, detail and age. They can start as low as $600 and go up from there. Average late nineteenth to early twentieth century are about $1,400 to $1,600. Eighteenth century American wood mantels start at $1,000 and average around $2,000.

Tips

A resource book to help you decide which is the most appropriate style for you is The Elements of Style by Stephen Calloway, published by Simon and Schuster. For a more hands-on approach, visit you local salvage yard (the web and the yellow pages will help you find one). Or you can search regionally on the web under “architectural salvage”.

When you go to inspect possible mantels, make sure you take with you a copy of your blue prints, and drawings or photographs of the space where you plan to install it. One final tip: don’t be tempted to buy your fireplace accessories until after you have decided on your mantel!