The Patio Expert Pages

The external covering surrounding the fireplace, protecting from smoke, is called the fireplace mantel. Since physical fuel sources have been replaced with electric energy, mantels are no longer needed to do this anymore. Electrical fireplaces now use mantels, making them seem more natural and elegant. You can get mantels in so many divergent styles, as well as building materials.

Mantels are great to use with electric fireplace heaters. Although they use efficient modern technology to address heating needs, they're designed to be reminiscent of actual fireplaces, like the ones your grandfather used to have in their homes. Some of these attempt to replicate the look and sound fireplaces to varying success.

Take these particulars to mind before you purchase any fireplace mantels. There are specific controls over a mantel's height and width. What I'm referring to here is clearance, the distances stove, smoke pipe or chimney and combustible materials such as wood furniture or carpets as regulated by fire or building codes.

Aside from that, buying a fireplace mantel requires careful room planning. You can decide to give the mantel center stage, as the room's central furniture. But if you're getting one you may as well redecorate and reorganize the room when adding it. There is also a wide selection available, in terms of different styles and also building materials.

Consider these specific examples of fireplace mantel materials. Cherry wood is particularly high quality but a bit hard to find. Violins, among other valued items, are made with it. Stone as a building material, is distinct from wood. Stone mantels match stone and wooden fireplaces, and are built to last and makes for a better shelf.

For some people the artificial look of firewood facades is unattractive and breaks the illusion. If you don't like the facades used in electrical fireplaces, you can get electric log inserts for a more realistic look. And then there are the fireplace media centers, which allow for use with TV, video players and game consoles, as well as custom fireplaces.