Congratulations on your new fireplace mantel! Many people purchase an unfinished mantel so they can paint or stain it to match the d�cor of their home rather than having the factory paint or stain it one of their standard colors. I have found that after receiving their new mantel, many people have questions and want advice on the best ways to go about finishing a fireplace mantel.
�People want big mantels, like those you found in the 1880s�grand, palatial mantels with mirrors and columns,� Pigott says, adding traditional styles don�t have to contrast with modern fixtures. �You can hide a flat-screen TV behind a mirror on your mantel.�While it is not really necessary to finish a mantel after you install it, it does make the job easier if you do this while it is on the wall; it is similar to painting any other wood trim. If you finish it and then mar the mantel when putting it up, you will have to repair it. Certainly many people paint or stain their fireplace mantel prior to installing it. It is really a personal preference.If you have that kind of structure, don�t fret. It just means the slim boards are that much easier to remove. If it�s a substantial fireplace mantel that just isn�t eye-catching, examine the installation. You�re likely to find you won�t need a contractor to remove and replace it. And since sites like http://Brick-Anew.com offer manufacturing and shipping on fireplace mantels�something that used to be unheard of�it�s easier than ever to side-step that contractor and select a brand-new fireplace mantel on the Internet.1.Before you light a fire you should place the kindling, draw the screens or curtains in the room apart, and open glass doors. Once you open the damper and window you can start the fire. By lighting a match and swiftly blowing it out you can check whether the smoke is going up the chimney or not.Let's have a look at some easy tips and precautionary measures we could take:Economy Fireplace Mantels3.Water damage can be avoided by using a chimney cap. It also helps to prevent small animals from nesting or debris clogging the shaft. If not taken care of, this could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. A spark arrester also needs to be used to stop sparks from flying out.If you�re considering replacing your fireplace mantel, Georgia fireplace mantel manufacturer Park Pigott suggests first re-thinking your mantel�s importance. �Number one, a mantel is a piece of furniture. It just happens to go around a fireplace,� Pigott says. �A fireplace with a mantel should be a focal point of a room. When you walk in you should be able to say, �Wow, isn�t that lovely!��o Test your stain color on an inside area of the mantel before you install it to ensure the color is what you want to achieve. (If you will be using a polyurethane finish over the stain, I recommend testing the polyurethane on top of the stain so you can see the final appearance of your mantel.)Fireplace Mantel TrendsIf you want to decide the style, scope and cost of your fireplace mantel, a custom fireplace mantel may be the answer. Previously, homeowners were restricted by the material available at local lumberyards and the cost of carpenters. Now, it�s easy to measure your fireplace, decide on the building material, choose your style and e-mail in a request for an estimate. When your custom fireplace mantel arrives, it�s easy to install as a do-it-yourself project, or hire a local handyman for the job. Custom mantels are so simple to order and install that Pigott says 50 percent of all of his orders are for custom mantels.Tips for Staining Your Fireplace MantelIf you want traditional style but have a more modern budget, recent manufacturing technology has created an array of MDF, or presswood, fireplace mantels. Easy to install and costing hundreds less, economy fireplace mantels can be dressed up with fireplace screens and tool sets in stunning finishes that offset the mantel�s paint, which is applied in the absence of real wood grain.Finishing a fireplace mantel is a rewarding experience; once it is done you can see how the new mantel enhances the look of the room.
Finishing a fireplace mantel is a rewarding experience; once it is done you can see how the new mantel enhances the look of the room.
Author: Carol Agee
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