How Do You Install A Fireplace Mantel On Brick?
If you have a dull-looking brick fireplace, you can spruce it up with a fireplace mantel. The mantel is a decorative facade piece that frames the firebox using ornate or simple molding to create columns that support a shelf. Unless you are a carpenter and can build your own, it is best to purchase a prefabricated mantelpiece for the fireplace. Installing the fireplace mantle on the brick yourself can save quite a bit of money. Place the mantel against the fireplace, positioning it to the desired location. Center it around the firebox and leave at least a 6-inch clearance. Use the 3-foot level to check across the length of the mantle, and use the torpedo level to check levelness of the width, front to back. Place wooden shims under the legs until both levels are balanced. Using the pencil, trace the outline of the mantelpiece as it lays flush against the brick and wall. This will help you measure where the wooden supports, called cleats, will be secured to the wall and brick. Remove the
