A perfect home is a wish for everyone. You will always want a house with just the perfect fitting of anything to eliminate any difficulty and make the look of your home ravishing. In that same context, the height of the fireplace mantel, also called the chimneypiece, should also be perfect enough to be suitable for everyone in the house. If the size is ideal for you, it may be something other than perfect for everyone. So before installing it, everyone’s comfort should be considered along with the safety and security of kids.
In this article, we will see some tricks and tips to find the perfect height for the fireplace mantel. And what are the basic standards that should be considered?
If you are also looking for the perfect height measurement ideas for your fireplace mantel, then this article is exclusively written for you. Here, we have covered many necessary topics and collected information regarding those topics. So, without any delay, let us start.
Before we start, we need to know about the fireplace mantel, where and how it is situated in our house, and its uses.
What is a fireplace mantel?
A fireplace mantel is also called a chimneypiece. It is a hood projected over the fireplace that is used to collect the smoke. They are available in various shapes, designs, and sizes. They give an appealing effect to the house.
You can add beautiful borders or linings over the mantle to make it look bolder and classy. This thing totally depends on the user’s preference. They can be made of different types of materials, but usually, wood is preferred for building them. These days, they are also made of stone and metal.
Fireplace mantels are usually of two types. Let us see them one by one
The first one is a floating ledge ( also called a shelf)
It is the simpler one in which the mind is hovering over the firebox, and it is not supposed to be any other structures such as legs or corbels, etc. It needs a different and contemporary material to build, like brick tile or plastic, as it hangs over the wall. But they can also be made of wood. They are perfect for small spaces.
Another one is the mantel surround
In them, the other structures of the mantel are also made up of the same material, like matching legs or corbels. They also consist of an apron that supports the shelf. They are usually made in large spaces. They give a high-quality and aesthetic look to the room with their well-finished lining and borders of metal or stone that are beautifully carved there.
The size, style, and scale of the fireplace
Before installing the mantel, the size and scale of the fireplace must be considered very carefully, as they play a very significant role in the overall look of the room. The mantel should be placed proportional to the fir box in order to achieve the perfect look. Also, the hanging mantel should be placed at least 3 inches past the fireplace. The mantel is placed at least 12 inches above the firebox.
The optimum height of the fireplace mantel
If we talk about the exact and perfect fireplace mantel height, then it will be 54 to 60 inches above the hearth of the floor. The rest of the modifications depend on the type and design that you have chosen. The other changes, such as extra border, will eventually increase the height.
Let us see the different measurements of the mantel height
Length of the mantel
It is one of the most essential parts of the overall measurement of the mantel. Some professionals measure it from one end of the wall to the other, while others count it as just a bit larger than the firebox. If you want an estimated measurement, consider it 10 to 12 inches larger than the firebox. For example, if your firebox is 46 inches, then your mantle will be 56 to 58 inches long.
Usually, you will get readymade mantels in the market that are roughly 66 to 70 inches long, and you can alter them as per your requirements.
The face height of the mantel
Face height depends on the size of the fireplace. Suppose it is small or large. The size of the room decides the overall size of the fireplace. Usually, spacious rooms have large fireplaces, while small rooms prefer a smaller one.
Depth of the mantel
Depth is the overall amount of traffic that is present around the fireplace. It can be a tiny place or sometimes an ample space that can be used to keep your belongings, such as some decorative items. The overall depth of the mantel is between 10 to 12 inches. You can also go for a more narrow mantel. It totally depends on the user’s choice.
Height of the mantel
Professionals recommend to install a mantel at least 4 to 5 inches above the ground. This allows us to have some space below. According to the NEPA (National Fire Protection Agency), the minimum distance should be at least 10 to 12 inches in order to avoid any mishaps.
Keep this thing in mind before installing a mantel in your house.
Points to be considerate while mounting a fireplace mantel
The space between the bottom of the mantel and the top of the firebox.
According to the guidelines issued by the government, the distance between the bottom of the mantel and the top of the placed firebox should not be more than 12 inches.
The distance between the mantel projection and the wall.
This distance should be at least 1.5 inches. If this distance exceeds more than that, then the firebox will not hang easily, and that gap will create a lot more fust and smoke to accumulate in that space.
safety should be prioritized
According to NEPA (National Fire Protection Agency), the minimum distance should be at least 10 to 12 inches from the top of the firebox. This distance helps to keep the combustible items away from the firebox in order to prevent any mishap.
proportion and balance should be maintained
The height of the fireplace and the height of the mantel in the room. And that ratio should be maintained 1/3 to 1/2 and not more or less than that. This not only keeps an excellent environmental balance in the room but also gives a pleasing and perfect look to the eyes.
consider the ceiling height to get the measurements of the fireplace and mantel
If your house has a standard ceiling height of up to 8-9 feet, then you can consider the heights of your mind as 54 to 60 inches above the level of the ground. And if your ceiling is higher than that, then take some extra measurements.
The personal preferences the user also matter a lot
Ultimately, it is a matter of users’ likes and dislikes. Some people prefer a lower mantel because it gives the feeling of coziness, while others may choose a higher mantel because it provides the sense of a grander statement.
Installation tips for a fireplace mantel
- check for the housing standards and laws set by government agencies before installing a fireplace mantel in your house, as the rules may vary from place to place. Also, check the fire codes that the local fire safety agency of your area issues.
- keep the exact measurements of everything before installing a fireplace mantel, as all measurements, such as ceiling height, firebox height, etc, matter a lot.
- Always keep your mantel fireplace at least 4 to 5 inches above the ground level to avoid any mishap.
- the mantel should always be more extensive than your fireplace. So always keep in mind to take measurements of your fireplace before doing anything and plan everything accordingly.
Conclusions
The fireplace mantel height is based on various factors such as the height of the ceiling, depth of the firebox, size of the fireplace, etc. After considering all these points, only then can we conclude anything, so the average height of the fireplace mantel should be 54 to 60 inches.
It should always be larger than the fireplace and also 3 to 4 inches above the ground level. All the instructions issued by the national agency should be taken into consideration. Installation tips are also given above.
This article was helpful for you, and now you are well aware of all the necessary guides to know the exact height of the fireplace mantel. If you still have some queries, then you can comment them below, and we will try to reach you as soon as possible.
Frequency asked questions (FAQs)
How can you measure the proper height of the fireplace mantel?
To measure the proper height of the fireplace mantel, the proportions of the height of the fireplace and the size of the room should be considered. Our aim should be to give a pleasing look to the room. For this purpose, you can use a long-inch tape.
Can we install a television over the fireplace mantel?
Yes, you can install a television over your fireplace mantel, but keep in mind that you should place it at least 8 to 12 inches above the mantel. On average, you can take at least 10 inches above the mantel to prevent overheating and damage to the parts of the television.
How can you use the extra space above the fireplace mantel?
On that extra space above the fireplace mantel, you can install a television or portraits, or it can also b used as a decorative space. Also, on the sides of the television, you can keep your belongings such as minor soft toys, decorative items, books, etc.