Fireplace Mantel Install

[Andy78]

Hi all,

I am about to install 2 timber fireplace mantels and was wondering what the best way is to fix them to the chimney?

A person at the fireplace shop mentioned using liquid nails. One of the chimney's has solid plaster over the brickwork and the other plasterboard cornice cemented to the chimney.

I am a little worried that the liquid nails won't work on the solid plaster given it is quite fragile.

The other idea is to use figure brackets attached to the mantle to screw into the brickwork.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated?

[TermiMonster]

Nail or screw with spagetti.
TM

[Frank&Earnest]

The original 1920's one at my place is nailed with 4" nails to wood plugs in the wall. The bullet heads are sunk and covered with coloured putty. Almost invisible but rather primitive and destructive when I took it off the wall to restore it. If you do not mind the putty, screws and spaghetti is the way to go.

I made another to match and hang it to 2 solid screws plugged into the wall and protruding into holes protected by metal rings screwed to the back of the mantel, that take all the weight, then put some liquid nails just to keep it in place. Should I ever want to take it off the wall, I can just lever it off from the bottom to rip the liquid nails from the plaster and unhook it.

Forgot to mention: these are 6" tall panelled oak, not the 4" fake marble ones. For the small ones, liquid nails is probably sufficient. You can always stick them up again in case of accidents.

Good luck.