How to Install a Fireplace Mantel

I’m always looking for DIY projects that are low cost with high impact. Earlier this year, I tackled my brick fireplace and in addition to painting, I decided to add a wood beam. Not only did this give us a place to hang our Christmas stocks, it added a lot of warmth and design to this space. While drilling into brick is a little intimidating, it’s a relatively easy project. Here, I’m sharing all my tips and sources on how to install a fireplace mantel.

black brick fireplace with white oak mantel

This fireplace was a basic brick hearth without any mantel. I kind of loved the minimal look but also wanted a mantel for some functionality. Often, pre-existing floating mantels are hung and somewhat easy to lift and remove. Here, it was a clean slate. So, after painting, I decided to hang a white oak wood beam with simple L brackets.

The beam itself is hollow core and comes with floating bolts but I’ve never had the best of luck with that type of fastener. I opted for a more sturdy bracket design and used Cascade Iron Co. brackets – my brother’s business who helped me with this install.

Mantel Supplies

White Oak Wood Beam Mantel
Heavy Duty Brackets – I used Black but also really like the Clear Coat
Painter’s Tape to mark placements
Level
Power Drill
Masonry Bolts for brick (use correct hardware for type of installation)

brick fireplace painted black with painters tape marking wood beam mantel placement — I used painter’s tape to help plan and visualize mantel placement

Measure Mantel Placement

The first step I took was measuring and marking the mantel placement. A common height for a mantel is 54” – 60” from the floor. Once you determine the wood beam placement, mark the holes for the bracket installation. I used a 72″ mantel that was exact width of my existing fireplace, this gave it a clean modern look.

Check for Level

For this fireplace mantel we used a laser level to make sure everything is even but a regular long level works well too. This is the time to double check and make sure everything is even – it’s hard to re-do brick installation.

Fun fact, some fireplaces can be inherently out of level so try not rely on the surround itself. For example, it’s very slight but the bricks in this fireplace are slightly uneven so if we had used the mortar lines as a guide, we would’ve end up with an unlevel mantel.

Drill Holes

Next, you’ll drill the holes into the bracket to install the brackets. It’s important to use the right drill bit for this. We used a Carbide-tipped drill bit which is specific for brick and concrete.

For installing into a wall, you’d use regular suggestions for drywall or wall stud hardware.

installing brackets into brick with masonry bolts

Install Mounting Brackets

Then, we installed the heavy duty metal brackets to hold the wood beam. We used specialty fasteners, called masonry bolts, which are super strong and intended for brick.

Choose whatever hardware works for what it’s being installed into. For example, directly into a wall would use bolts for wall studs or anchors for drywall.

Add Wood Beam Mantel

Finally, we placed the wood beam on the brackets and secured them with smaller bolts. To prevent the wood from splitting, we marked and then pre-drilled holes in the wood beam.

I selected a white oak wood beam that have a hollow core. So the sides are made with solid oak but it’s made like a box. This makes it lighter and easier to install. It’s still pretty heavy and requires substantial support. If it was a completely solid beam, it would require much more support.

Fireplace Mantel FAQs

How high should I install a wood mantel?

Most mantels are hung 54–60 inches from the floor.

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, follow clearance requirements- typically the mantel must be 6–12 inches above the firebox depending on depth.

How deep should the fireplace mantel be?

Common depths are 6-10 inches. Remember that deeper mantels may be heavier and need more support.

What is the most common mantel length?

A typical mantel is 60–72 inches long, but this varies based on fireplace width and wall size.

Can my mantel be the same width as the fireplace surround?

Yes the mantel can be the same width as the entire fireplace. A mantel that lines up with the surround edges gives a modern, clean look especially with stone or brick.

living room with black painted brick fireplace with oak wood mantel

Final Thoughts on Fireplace Mantel

Overall, I’m really happy with this DIY project. It adds a lot of warmth from the wood and design details with the metal hardware. Not to mention it’s super functional and I’m having a great time styling it. I hope this post is helpful in planning your project and gives you information on how to install a fireplace mantel.

If you’re looking for more fireplace ideas, check out How to Paint a Tile Fireplace or Tips for Whitewashing a Brick Fireplace. Also, consider safety guidelines when tackling a fireplace update.