Mounting A Heavy Mantle To A Wall

Learn this clever way to attach the mantel to the wall without using screws or nails.

Mounting a heavy mantle to a wall.

The existing mantel was 3 feet wide and went to the outside fireplace wall so we couldn t remove it as it would have destroyed the integrity of the stone wall. Drill 1 2 holes across the back of the mantle to accept the lag bolts. How to install a heavy slab floating mantel. Drill mantel holes mark on the rear of the mantel where the lag bolts will hit.

Push the mantel against the wall using the drawn lines. Place a level on the. These screws should be roughly 16 inches apart fasten the mantel to the cleats along the top shelf and along the two. Because of the weight you may need someone to help you lift the mantle from the floor and hold it in place.

Hold the mantle up against the wall where you intend to install it. The solution is a french cleat. A heavy log mantel needs plenty of support to stay in place once you ve installed it. Our beam was 6 tall so nate drilled down 3 determine desired height of your mantel.

Hold the mantel above the fireplace at the height you wish to mount it at least 6 inches away from the firebox. Attach the template board to the wall using 2 screws on the outermost studs. Make sure to measure and mark accurately so that the mantle holes will align perfectly with the lag bolts. Step 3 trace the shelf of the mantle against the wall leaving a pencil line on the wall to mark the height of the mantle.

The mantel should fit around the cleats which hold it in position. Drill holes half of height of your beam. I will share soon how i disguised the old mantel slab gap. By using a method that distributes the weight and pressure on to the studs behind the wall instead of the wall.

Mount the fireplace mantel. Turn the mantel face down and measure the distance from the mantel s top edge to the gap in the. To sum it up here are the quick steps to take if you are trying to figure out how to install a mantel. Tim carter demonstrates how to use a hidden french cleat to attach a gorgeous fireplace mantel to a wall.

Drill pilot holes into the template board not attached to the wall at this point at the locations of the studs. Remove the old mantel add support by drilling holes for lag shields then install lag bolts into the brick measure carefully and drill corresponding holes for the wood mantel push the wooden.