Floating Fireplace Mantels

Aug 22, 2022

Floating Fireplace Mantels

A popular element of fireplace mantel design in Cincinnati is often a floating fireplace mantel, on which various decorative elements can be placed later. You can plan and install the fireplace mantel both at the initial stage of the construction and after all the work has been completed. But before starting the process, you need to familiarize yourself with the types of floating fireplace mantels and figure out how to set them up better.

Floating Fireplace Mantels

The Material 

It is not necessary to use the same material in the fireplace mantel design for your Cincinnati home as the entire fireplace for the floating fireplace mantel. On the contrary, it is advisable to highlight the upper shelf and emphasize its presence, so that it can stand out from the rest of the finish.


The most popular materials for floating fireplace mantels are:


1. Wood


Wood is a strong, durable, and very beautiful material. Moreover, it is possible to use valuable wood, or painted wood, for one fireplace mantelpiece. Plus, a Cincinnati home fireplace mantel design made of wood can be cut, polished, and finished to your taste. Plus, the very smell of wood, together with the fire in the fireplace, will make the atmosphere in your house even more pleasant. A rustic version is half a log, not sanded on one side. Such a natural material will suit the interior in the style of a chalet or country cabin decor. Wood belongs to the category of environmentally friendly, strong, and durable materials. The floating fireplace mantel can be made from both budget-friendly and quite expensive types of wood. This fireplace mantel design will make your fireplace look both expensive and noble. The wood mantel will serve you for a long time and, at the same time, maintain an impeccable appearance.


2. Stone


One of the most expensive options for a floating fireplace mantel is natural stone. Natural minerals such as granite and marble are very popular fireplace mantel designs in Cincinnati. It is durable, massive, and strong. Natural stone is characterized by a high degree of fire resistance and is extremely easy to maintain. A natural stone mantel will be forever very beautiful and durable. A natural stone floating fireplace mantel is not a DIY project. Special tools and skills are required. An alternative to natural stone is an imitation stone material that you will have to buy ready-made, ordered according to the required size of the structure.


3. Concrete and gypsum


A concrete floating fireplace mantel is simply poured into a mold from a concrete solution, which is then sanded. This Cincinnati home fireplace mantel design is not for everyone from an aesthetic point of view, but it is durable and relatively inexpensive. Gypsum is another less-expensive option that is strong and can be decorated like stone or wood.


4. Polyurethane


As another synthetic material option, polyurethane mantels are popular. A typical polyurethane floating fireplace mantel available from a home improvement store is styled to look like wood. However, since finish and color is determined at the time of manufacture, finding the perfect fit for your decor can be challenging.

Burning fireplace in the living room

Mounting methods


When it comes to the mounting location of a floating fireplace mantel, then there are only two options: to mount it in the fireplace structure or to attach it to the wall above the fireplace. The location should be considered in the fireplace mantel design for your Cincinnati home. Depending upon the weight, a wooden floating fireplace mantel supports can be attached to the structure of the fireplace with the help of special brackets and clamps, or attached to the wall with anchors sufficient to support the weight of the mantel.


Due to their weight, mounting of heavy stone floating fireplace mantels is complex. Natural stone mantels are usually ordered at the design stage of the fireplace, as they usually are an integral part of the structure. If you’re considering a natural stone fireplace mantel, be sure to consult a fireplace specialist.


Floating fireplace mantels can be very different in material, weight, cost and installation difficulty, but in any case, they are the most important part of the decor of the entire hearth. Choose the right material for the fireplace mantel in your Cincinnati home so that it serves you for many years and fits into the interior decor of the entire room.


If you have any questions about fireplaces or fireplace mantel design for your Cincinnati area home, don’t hesitate to get a fireplace expert on the phone. Call us at (513) 900-1589.

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