What are the Different Types of Mantles?
The fireplace is usually considered the heart of the home, where people gather to enjoy its warmth. What makes a fireplace truly special is its mantle, its defining characteristic. Mantles can make a fireplace understated and warm, or a dramatic showpiece. When building a new fireplace or updating your existing one, there are countless types of mantles to choose from. Mantles come in a variety of materials and styles. Whether your taste is modern or traditional, there is a mantle out there that can set the mood for your entire home. The basic types of mantle materials include stone, antique, wood and cast stone. In addition to the basic mantle, there are accessories available such as mantle shelves, caps and overmantles, which extend the mantle to the ceiling. If you tend towards the dramatic and stately, stone is a good choice for a mantle. Stone is very versatile and can fit any style, from modern to Victorian to rustic. Since there are so many types of stone, such as sandstone, gran
