It’s that time when you want to cozy on up to the hearth and warm up by the fire. If you find yours somewhat lacking, how about dressing it up with a simple yet impactful floating mantel?
Unlike other mantels that require lots of know-how, materials and steps, this one is fairly simple and straightforward to build. Frank Ripley of Ask Frank Designs in Orillia, Ontario, shows us how.
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STEP 1
Once you’ve found a nice piece of reclaimed wood or other surface for your mantel, figure out where you want the mantel to go. Most mantels are placed about five feet above the floor; measure the height on your wall and draw a horizontal line the length of the mantelpiece. If you have drywall, use a stud finder to locate the studs, and mark those spots; typically, the studs will be spaced about 16 inches apart. If you have a brick wall, simply mark the line every 16 inches, for the bolts to go in. Make sure your marks are level and that they cover the width of your mantel.
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STEP 2
Use a 3/4-inch masonry bit and wrap a piece of tape around the bit at the three-inch mark, so you know how deep to drill. Drill holes at each mark.
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Step 3
Insert lead sleeves into the holes.
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STEP 4
Insert a 10-inch lag bolt into each sleeve and tighten to secure. Use an angle grinder to cut off the bolt heads.
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STEP 5
After you’ve installed the lag bolts, transfer those measurements to the back of the mantel, using a tape measure. Use a 1/2-inch drill bit and drill into your marks a 1/2 inch deeper than the length of the lag bolts after you’ve removed the heads. The extra 1/2 inch ensures that your mantel will sit firmly against the wall.
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STEP 6
Apply high-temperature silicone to the end of all the bolts. Lift the mantel into place, pushing firmly into the bolts.
