How Do You Build Simple Fireplace Mantle Shelves?
Whether there is a natural or synthetic log burning within the hearth, the fireplace becomes the focal point of the room. Surrounding the mantle with memories and symbols of your personality makes that focal point personal and comfortable. It’s easy and inexpensive to design, build and install simple mantle shelves to suit specific personal artifacts. Sand the planks, corbels and mounting brackets incrementally from an 80 grit smoothness to a 220 grit smoothness. Apply a bead of wood glue along the back and top edge of each corbel. Pre-drill and screw the mounting brackets to the back and top edges of each corbel. Measure three inches in from the outside edges of the hardwood planks and draw a thin pencil line perpendicular to the front and back edge. Apply a bead of wood glue just inside the pencil line. Pre-drill and screw the corbels to the planks from beneath. Stain or paint the shelves to suit.
