Fireplace Mantel Shelf Construction in 12 Steps

Creating a beautiful and easy fireplace mantel shelf to your fireplace can not only add a touch of elegance to a room, but give you a convenient place to display pictures or keepsakes.

Tools and Materials

• 1 3/4 inch x 10 inch x 105 inch wood for top piece
• 1 1 inch x 1 1/2 inch x 107 inch wood for front cove molding
• 2 1 inchx 1 1/2 inch x 11 inch wood for side cove moldings
• 1 6 1/4 inch x 105 inch wood for front crown molding
• 2 6 1/4 inch x 11 inch wood for side crown moldings
• 1 1/2 inch x 5 3/4 inch x 96 1/2 inch wood for bottom
• 1 3/4 inch x 6 1/4 inch x 96 1/2 inch wood for brace
• 1 1/2 inch x 1 1/2 inch x 105 inch wood for front nailer
• 2 1/2inch x 1 1/2 inch x 8 1/2 inch wood for side nailers
• 1 1 inch x 3 inch x 100 inch wood for ledger
• 1 inch finish nails
• 1 1/2 inch finish nails to secure cove and crown moldings
• 2 inch finish nails to secure mantel assembly to the ledger
• 2 1/2inch drywall screws
• Table saw
• Radial arm saws
• Wood glue
• Power miter

Procedure

1. Use table and radial arm saws to cut lumber to proper widths & lengths for top, bottom, brace, front nailer, side nailers & ledger.
2. Glue and nail nailers to under side of top. Make sure nailers are flush with the front & side edges of the top. Nail from the bottom side.
3. Glue and nail brace to top so it hangs vertically flush with wall.
4. Cut the side cove moldings to 45 degrees for the front corners and 90 degrees on the other ends so they will sit flush to the wall
5. Glue and nail side cove moldings to the side edges of top. Make sure cove moldings are positioned flush with the top of top piece.
6. Cut both ends of the front cove molding to 45 degrees and then glue and nail into position. Nail to top and side cove moldings.
7. Cut the side crown moldings to 45 degrees for the front corners and 90 degrees on the other ends so they will fit flush to the wall.
8. Glue and nail side crown moldings to the nailers and brace.
9. Cut both ends of the front crown molding to 45 degrees and then glue and nail to front nailer and side crown molding.
10. Cut bottom to fit, and then glue and nail to brace. Also nail all crown moldings to the bottom.
11. Measure and mark wall for desired height and position of ledger. Cut ledger to proper length and then attach to the wall using 2 1/2 inch drywall screws. Make sure ledger is level and screws go into wall studs. Locate center of studs.
12. Position mantel on wall ledger and secure by nailing top to wall ledger.