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Mantel Installation

General Tools and Materials

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  • Mollies/Anchors Mollies/Anchors
  • Deck Screws Deck Screws
  • Screw Gun / Drill Driver & Bits Screw Gun / Drill Driver & Bits
  • Caulk Gun Caulk Gun
  • Color Complimenting Textured Caulk Color Complimenting Textured Caulk
  • Loctite® PL® Premium® 3X Construction Adhesive Loctite® PL® Premium® 3X Construction Adhesive
  • Level / Laser Level / Laser
  • Tape Measure Tape Measure
  • Safety Glasses Safety Glasses
  • Pencil Pencil
  • Touchup Kit Touchup Kit
  • Cotton Swabs Cotton Swabs
  • Clean Cloth Clean Cloth
  • Small Paint Brush Small Paint Brush
  • Stud Finder Stud Finder
  • Cut Lumber Cut Lumber
  • Wood Cutting Saw with Finish Blade Wood Cutting Saw with Finish Blade
  • Mantel Mounting Strip Mantel Mounting Strip
24 Hours Before Starting
  • Ensure surface is structurally sound and in good condition. Surfaces such as drywall should be flat and smooth to minimize gaps.
  • Acclimate all materials by storing them flat in the installation location (but away from moisture and direct sunlight or other heat sources) for at least 24 hours.
  • Gather all tools and materials.
Mantel and cut lumber
WARNINGS:
  • Be sure to obey all safety rules and recommendations set forth by tool manufacturers.
  • Always follow any, and all, local, state, and federal building codes.
  • Always comply with clearances set forth by the manufacturer of stoves, fireplaces, furnaces, and any other heat source.
  • Our faux mantels are durable, but are for decorative use only. Mantels are not intended to support heavy weight.
  • Wear safety glasses during the entire installation process.
  • Our products may have screws embedded below the surface. We recommend using a hand saw (not power tools) when cutting these products. You may find these screws with a stud finder. Barron Designs is not responsible for any bodily harm or damage to your equipment.

Click Here for Care and Maintenance info.

Directions

Measure the Inside Dimensions of the Mantel

Step 1

Measure the Inside Dimensions of the Mantel

Tools:

  • Tape Measure

Skip to Step 3 if you purchased a mounting strip along with your mantel.

Turn mantel over on a soft, clean surface and measure the interior dimensions.

Cut Lumber to Fit

Step 2

Cut Lumber to Fit

Tools:

  • Lumber
  • Wood Cutting Saw with Finish Blade
  1. Cut and/or rip the lumber so that it fits inside the mantel with at least 1/8” clearance.
  2. Dry fit the cut lumber inside the mantel to be sure that it does not have to be forced.

NOTE: For deep mantels we recommend stacking two pieces of lumber to create the mounting block.

Locate Studs

Step 3

Locate Studs

Tools:

  • Stud Finder
  • Pencil

Using a stud finder mark each location with a pencil.

Level and Secure Lumber

Step 4

Level and Secure Lumber

Tools:

  • Pencil
  • Laser/Level
  • Screw Gun/Drill Driver
  • Mollies/Anchors
  • Deck Screws
  1. Create a level line one inch below where you want the top of the installed mantel.
  2. Attach the lumber to the wall at the level line by screwing the deck screws through the lumber and into the studs. Use mollies/anchors if there are no studs.

Dry Fit Mantel

Step 5

Dry Fit Mantel

Before securing the mantel make sure it fits over the cut lumber.

Apply Adhesive

Step 6

Apply Adhesive

Tools:

  • Loctite® PL®Premium® 3X Construction Adhesive
  • Caulk Gun

Apply Loctite PL Premium Advanced 3X Construction Adhesive to the top of the mounted lumber.

Install & Secure Mantel

Step 7

Install & Secure Mantel

Tools:

  • Screw Gun/Drill Driver
  • Deck Screws
  1. Slide the mantel over the mounted lumber.
  2. At the top of the mantel, use the deck screws and toe screw the mantel to the lumber. Recess the screws about 1/8”. Be careful not to over tighten.

Touch Up

Step 8

Touch Up

Tools:

  • Painters Tape
  • Clean Cloth
  • Caulk
  • Caulk Gun
  • Touch-Up Kit
  • Small Paint Brush
  1. Apply color complimenting textured caulk to fill screw holes. Blend caulk into adjacent surfaces while it is still wet.
  2. Use paint from the touch-up kit to paint over the caulk.