Build a template using an old board.
Hang old beam mantle on wall.
Make sure those marks are level centered and extend far enough to cover the mantel s length.
Most mantels are placed about 60 above the floor.
I gave my hunky husband this job.
A mantle is often the finishing decorative touch for a fireplace installation and allows the space to hold pictures ornaments and even televisions that build on the attention catching atmosphere of a fireplace.
Cut the board to the width of your fireplace.
Drill pilot holes into the template board not attached to the wall at this point at the locations of the studs.
These mantle pieces are often heavy and require seriously strong fasteners to be secured to the wall.
Once the mantel was hung i seriously couldn t believe how different the fireplace looked.
Mark the grout line that is closest to the desired height.
Step 3 place the 2 x 4 on the backside of the beam and mark it with a sharpie.
Step 2 using a chainsaw shorten the beam to the desired length.
The existing mantel was 3 feet wide and went to the outside fireplace wall so we couldn t remove it as it would have destroyed the integrity of the stone wall.
Place marks on the grout line every 16.
Locate the studs and mark.
Determine the height of the mantle on the brick fireplace.
The board must be at least 3 4 of the height of your beam.
Using your template place the 2 4 onto the mantel and level it with a long level.
How to install a barn beam mantel.