Mounting A Heavy Mantle To A Wall

By using a method that distributes the weight and pressure on to the studs behind the wall instead of the wall.

Mounting a heavy mantle to a wall.

The challenge is to mount a fireplace mantel to the wall without putting screws or nails through the fireplace mantel wood. Make sure to measure and mark accurately so that the mantle holes will align perfectly with the lag bolts. Then use the drill to insert screws through the mantel and into the cleats. Push the mantel against the wall using the drawn lines.

Mount the fireplace mantel. Hold the mantle up against the wall where you intend to install it. Drill mantel holes mark on the rear of the mantel where the lag bolts will hit. I will share soon how i disguised the old mantel slab gap.

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 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. Turn the mantel face down and measure the distance from the mantel s top edge to the gap in the.

Attach the template board to the wall using 2 screws on the outermost studs. The solution is a french cleat. Our beam was 6 tall so nate drilled down 3 determine desired height of your mantel. The mantel should fit around the cleats which hold it in position.

How to install a heavy slab floating mantel. Tim carter demonstrates how to use a hidden french cleat to attach a gorgeous fireplace mantel to a wall. To sum it up here are the quick steps to take if you are trying to figure out how to install a mantel. Because of the weight you may need someone to help you lift the mantle from the floor and hold it in place.

These screws should be roughly 16 inches apart fasten the mantel to the cleats along the top shelf and along the two. Drill 1 2 holes across the back of the mantle to accept the lag bolts. Once the mantel was hung i seriously couldn t believe how different the fireplace looked. 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.

Drill holes half of height of your beam. A heavy log mantel needs plenty of support to stay in place once you ve installed it.