How high should a mantel be above a gas fireplace?
Feb 01, 2022 · Typical Combustible Clearances A gas fireplace might require a one-inch combustible clearance behind it, six inches at the sides, 36 inches out in front and 36 inches above. A typical clearance to a six-inch wide mantel shelf above the fireplace is four inches. Watch for evidence of overheating above the firebox.
What is the standard height for a fireplace mantel?
Mar 20, 2020 · How high should a mantel be above a gas fireplace? As a general rule, a mantel is placed about 12 inches above the fireplace opening. Add an inch to the distance for every inch that the mantel protrudes. So, a mantel 6 inches deep would be attached 18 inches above the firebox opening. Click to see full answer.
How to select and size your fireplace mantel?
Jun 25, 2018 · Based on mantel height codes and recommendations from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), sources indicate that the bottom of the mantel must be at least 12 inches above the top of the firebox. [image] Next, you need to know what is the mantel projection distance from the wall. If the mantel placement projects less than 1.5 inches from the wall, you …
How wide should a mantel be?
Mar 13, 2020 · How high does a mantel need to be above a gas fireplace? As a general rule, a mantel is placed about 12 inches above the fireplace opening. Add an inch to the distance for every inch that the mantel protrudes. So, a mantel 6 inches deep would be attached 18 inches above the firebox opening. Click to see full answer.
How high should a gas fireplace mantel be?
Mantel Height: We recommend installing the mantel 4.5' from the floor. This allows room for stockings during the holidays. Most housing codes and the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) state that the bottom of the mantel must be at least 12” away from the top of the fireplace box.Dec 6, 2018
How close can wood mantle be to gas fireplace?
The National Fire Code dictates that any combustible material (e.g., wood mantel or similar trim) must be at least six inches from the firebox opening. An additional inch of clearance is needed for every 1/8 inch the combustible material or trim protrudes.
What is code for a gas fireplace mantel?
The standard building code is 6 inches of minimum clearance around the opening of the fireplace and it must be surrounded by a noncombustible material. However, if the mantel projects more than 1 1/2 inches from the face of the fireplace, the top noncombustible clearance must be at least 12 inches.
How low can mantle be above fireplace?
As a general rule, it's important to mount the mantle an average of 12 inches over the fireplace opening, which is a general rule from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) to ensure it's up to code. The mantle can also be 4 1/2 feet above the floor.
Does a gas fireplace need a mantel?
A freestanding natural gas fireplace looks like a traditional fireplace, complete with a mantel. A range of wood styles is available. Gas log sets offer a more realistic wood-fire look. Gas fireplaces can be turned on with a simple switch or even a remote control.
How thick should a mantle be?
7 inchesA depth of 7 inches is ideal for most mantels, as it allows plenty of room to accommodate decorative objects. Keep in mind that the top and the sides of the mantel should be the same depth.
How far should a mantle stick out?
A mantel should stick out at least 6 inches (15.24cm) from the wall. It's the perfect depth that allows you to have a mantle effectively deflect heat without compromising aesthetics. You can extend it to have more depth for your decorative pieces, but we don't recommend having it less than 6 inches (15.24cm).
Do you need a hearth in front of gas fireplace?
Natural vent gas fireplace inserts will typically have an open front so that the fireplace can use the air within the room and vent it up through the chimney. An open front means that natural vent gas fireplace inserts typically require a more suitably sized hearth for safety reasons.Aug 3, 2021
How much depth do you need for a gas fireplace?
Typically, a depth of 2 to 4 inches is the recommended amount of lava rocks for most gas fireplaces.
How high should a fireplace mantel be?
Again, “proper” height is relatively subjective to your fireplace, but average or standard fireplace mantel height construction is around 54” above the hearth’s floor. Your fireplace may fit this dimension or it might be on the shorter or taller end of the spectrum when it comes to mantel height above fireplace.
How high should a mantel be above a firebox?
Based on mantel height codes and recommendations from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), sources indicate that the bottom of the mantel must be at least 12 inches above the top of the firebox. [image] Next, you need to know what is the mantel projection distance from the wall.
Is it realistic to decorate a home?
When it comes to home decorating, it’s clear that one-size-fits-all projects aren’t realistic. What works for a friend or family member’s home doesn’t mean it will work for your home. With different dimensions, styles, aesthetics, and layouts, there are no “universal rules” that apply across the board. Rather, there are “best practices” ...
How far can a mantel be from a fireplace?
Any mantel or supports that are more than 12 inches above the fireplace opening has no limit as to how far it can protrude from the wall. In simple terms: If the mantel or supports for the mantel are a combustible material such as wood, they need to be more than 12″ above the fireplace opening if they protrude more than 1.5 inches.
Where to measure for a fireplace mantel?
If the mantel has a combustible support or bracket made from wood, then the measurement must be taken at the bottom of the support because that’s the closest point to the top of the fireplace . If the bracket is a metal support for the mantel, since it’s a non-combustible material, then the measurement would be from the bottom of the mantel.
How far above a fireplace can a combustible material be installed?
Absolutely no combustible material can be within six inches above the top of the fireplace! To determine where the mantel is to be installed will depend upon how far the mantel protrudes from the wall. The further the mantel protrudes, the further above the fireplace opening the mantel needs to be.
What are the problems with chimney inspection?
As chimney sweeps, one of the common problems we see during a chimney inspection has to do with the fireplace mantel. In most cases, the fireplace mantel is too close to the firebox opening. This is a potential safety issue.
Why were smoke canopies created?
Smoke “canopies” were developed to help with the inherent smoking problems that these fireplaces had. In time, fireplace mantels developed from the smoke canopies. Carved fireplace mantels became fundamental pieces of elaborate art, especially in European castles, mansions, and historic grand buildings.
What is the CA code for exposed combustible mantels?
The 2016 California Residential Code R1001.11 states: “Exposed combustible mantels or trim may be placed directly on the masonry fireplace front surrounding a fireplace opening providing such combustible materials are not placed within six inches of the fireplace opening.
When did fireplaces become popular?
Fireplaces became more popular once the concept of chimneys was developed . The smoke canopy–A precursor to fireplace mantels. Photo credit: Wikipedia. By the 12th century, fireplaces were moved to an exterior wall where a chimney was incorporated to vent the smoke.
How high should a mantel be on a fireplace?
According to national fire codes, your mantel needs to be a minimum of a certain number of inches higher than the top of the fireplace’s firebox. This is the flat area of the fireplace, not taking into account any curvature for the flue. The minimum clearance is based on the depth of your fireplace.
How far out should a fireplace mantel be from the wall?
If your fireplace protrudes from the wall, you’ll need to add depth to your mantel by that same amount so that the mantel is always 3 inches further out from the wall than the fireplace is.
How deep should a fireplace mantel be?
This means that if the fireplace is fully inset into the wall, your mantel will be at least 3 inches deep. This enough to block any sparks jumping out of the fireplace and absorb the bulk of the heat as it rises out of the fireplace. If your fireplace protrudes from the wall, you’ll need to add depth to your mantel by that same amount ...
Why should a fireplace mantel be the same length as a raised hearth?
If you have a raised hearth, you may also want this to be of the same length as the mantel to ensure everything looks symmetrical and that the fireplace is even centered length wise between the two. If your mantel or hearth is too long, it will make the fireplace look smaller; too short, and the mantel will look out of proportion compared to ...
How high should a mantel be above the floor?
Mantels are generally between 4 feet and 6 feet above the floor. If you have a room-sized 180 square feet or more, aim to have your mantel six feet above the floor. A room of 120 square feet should have a mantel centered at about 4.5 feet above the floor.
How thick should a mantel be?
Here’s where fire safety may seem counterintuitive. If you’re using thinner materials to make the mantel, such as wood planks, it only needs to be 3 inches thick. But if you’re using some thicker material, like decorative logs, it needs to 7 inches thick.
Can you put a TV on the wall of a fireplace?
This third option is the most common. Because the fireplace is generally centered on the wall so that it can serve as a focal point in the room, it makes sense to place the TV in the same area. In this case, you might have shelves on either side of the fireplace for storing game systems, DVDs, ROKU boxes, etc.