A fireplace should not only be a source of warmth for your home, but it should also act as a focal point, a statement feature and a reflection of the overall style and ambience of your house.
Therefore, choosing the right fireplace mantels is essential; otherwise, you will end up with a fireplace that diminishes, rather than enhances, your property.
Before deciding what mantel you want to use, you need to assess a number of key elements:
What type of heating appliance do you have or would you like to have installed?
What is your home décor like?
What size do you need?
What would you prefer your mantel to be made of?
After thinking about the above, if you are still unsure about what type of fireplace mantel you would like for your home, keep reading to explore the pros and cons of each option available to you.
Marble
Arguably the most luxurious type of fireplace, marble is a unique type of rock, which means that no two marble mantels will ever be the same. Ideal for a classic or traditional looking home, you can find pieces inspired by most historic periods including Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian. Marble is not even as expensive as you may think.
The only downside is that marble may crack under intense heat from a solid fuel fire so if you would like your hearth to be in matching material to your mantel and you plan to burn coal, marble is not the best option.
Cast iron
Perfect for period properties, cast iron mantels are durable and incredibly impactful in your home. Admittedly, they are not the budget option but they are very sought-after by people who like original features, so purchasing a cast iron mantel for your home should be seen as a solid investment.
Be careful of moisture though, as cast iron is susceptible to rust. If your polished cast iron mantel needs a bit of spruce up, buffing it with a little WD40 will work wonders.
Antique stone
An antique fireplace is suited to contemporary and traditional homes alike, with an opulent and grandiose feel to them. Built to last, strong and incredibly elegant-looking, an antique stone mantel will be the show-stopping feature of your home.
The only downside is that limestone is porous and stains easily, so be careful with spillages.
Wood
A cost-effective option you could consider is wood. The great thing about this type of material is that there are different types of timber to choose from that will suit every budget and the look of the property. Wooden mantels come in a wide variety of period designs and can be supplied with traditional waxed finish or painted any colour you want. Some of the main advantages of timber mantels are easy installation and being non-imposing, making it ideal for first-time homeowners or those who are not yet sold on the idea of a fireplace in their home. Most of the designs can be made to measure to fit very narrow chimney breasts.
However, you will need to be careful having it over a wood-burning / multi-fuel stove or a high efficiency gas fire, plus it is not recommended to have a timber mantel over a cast iron insert if you’re planning to burn solid fuel.
Slate
Slate is dark in colour and perfect for those who favour having something a bit different. You can add a minimalist feel to your home by choosing a simple and modern design, or pick one of the antique slate mantels with period properties. Slate is 100% fireproof so it is compatible with all fire types including electric, gas and wood-burning.
If you would like more information on how to choose a fireplace mantel for your home, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us here at Fireplacechoice, where our professional and highly knowledgeable team are waiting for your call.
MDS Cheminee offers tailor-made fireplaces, with high quality finishes and personalized advice according to your wishes and your habitat.
We install your fireplace everywhere in Morocco.MDS Cheminée offers you products and services such as:Sale and Installation of closed fireplaces, inserts, wood and pellet stoves and Ethanol fireplaces.Transformation, dismantling and renovation of your fireplaceAll types of flues and chimney casingsSale of bricks and refractory cementsConstruction of traditional fireplaces.Sale of fireplace accessoriesSale and delivery of compressed logsChimney sweepFireplace in MoroccoMarrakech fireplacefireplace in Casablancafireplace log holderethanol table fireplace
