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A decorative electric fireplace is something that could readily catch anybody's attention. Aside from its ability to provide warmth during cold seasons, this fire feature's aesthetics adds a touch of class to its visual appeal. Though the simulated fire and music are what makes an electric fireplace attractive, its mantel is also an important element that makes it stand out from the rest of the furnishings inside the home. However, as purchasing a new mantel could be pretty expensive, making your own could save you more bucks that you could use for other things.
Before you make a mantel for your electric fireplace heater, it is essential to identify first what a mantel is and how it functions. Basically, mantel is a shelf-like fixture attached to the wall, sitting on top of the fireplace opening. This part is often incorporated to enhance the space where a fireplace would be placed and doubles as a decorative feature where a homeowner can place different objects such as photographs and figurines. Usually a mantel is separate from the fireplace, but can also be purchased already connected to the said fire feature.
Though you can simply purchase the mantel of your electric fireplace heater, building your own custom mantel is a great way to enhance the character of your fire feature. By constructing your own mantel, you would be able to create a unique fixture based from your chosen concept or theme. Though this project might require more than a DIY ability, your efforts would surely pay off as this is a cheap way to get quality mantel without purchasing. To begin your mantel project you would need the following items: saw, nail gun, crown molding, wood glue, router, level, wooden boards and paint.
Measure your fireplace and mark the location where you will place your fireplace mantel. Be sure to add at 3/4 of an inch to the measurements you made so as to properly accommodate the thickness of the boards that you will use. Make sure to use a level when marking to achieve straight lines. After measuring the fireplace and fireplace location, create your mantel design by following your personal concept and indicate the dimensions of your mantel according to the measurements you've acquired from the fireplace.
Create the legs of your fireplace mantel with the use of three boards to form an incomplete box on the wall. Cut the side and front pieces of each leg and secure them together by gluing and nailing. Mount the legs on the wall by securing the sides of the box with nails. To decorate your mantel legs, install crown moldings around the sides of the legs.
Now that your fireplace mantel legs are already in place, the next thing to do is to create the top and shelf of the mantel from a frieze board, and then secure it at the top of the mantel legs. To ensure that the mantel shelf and top are strong, nail them to the wall and place crown moldings around its sides for decoration. For smoother finish, form the edge of your mantel by using a router. Finally, paint the mantel with your desired color but be sure that your chosen hue would complement your home's color scheme.
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