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As a general rule, the mantel is placed about 12 inches above the fireplace opening. Then adding an inch to the distance for every inch that the mantel protrudes. So a mantel 6 inches deep, would be attached 18 inches above the firebox opening.
How high should a mantel shelf be above a fireplace?
By National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), the bottom of the mantel must be placed at least 12” from the top of the fireplace box. Usually, the average mantel height is around 54 inches above the floor of the hearth. The hearth is, in most cases, placed just a few inches (up to 1 foot) above the floor.
What is code for a fireplace mantel?
Fire codes require that mantels made from combustible materials (such as wood) be mounted at least 6 inches above the fireplace opening. A non-combustible material must also be installed between the mantel and fireplace. If you wish to mount the mantel closer, using non-combustible materials is an absolute must.
How high should a mantel be above a gas fireplace?
As a general rule, a mantel is placed about 12 inches above the fireplace opening. Add an inch to the distance for every inch that the mantel protrudes. So, a mantel 6 inches deep would be attached 18 inches above the firebox opening.
What is the depth of a fireplace mantel?
Depth: A typical mantel depth is 6 to 7 inches. This allows you to place decorative items on the mantel top. A mantel with a smaller depth may lose its presence and be disproportional to the fireplace. The depth of the mantel shouldn’t be too deep, however, since heat can become trapped and damage the mantel.
How far should mantle stick out?
A mantel should stick out at least 6 inches (15.24cm) from the wall. It’s the perfect depth that allows you to have a mantle effectively deflect heat without compromising aesthetics. You can extend it to have more depth for your decorative pieces, but we don’t recommend having it less than 6 inches (15.24cm).
How far should a fireplace hearth stick out?
So how far should a fireplace hearth come out? InterNACHI recommends that for fireplaces that have an opening of 6 square feet (0.56 square meters) or smaller, a hearth should extend at least 16 inches (406mm) out into the room from the opening, and by at least 8 inches (203mm) away from the sides.
How big should my mantle be?
Your mantel should be wider than your fireplace. Typically, a mantel should be a minimum of 3 inches past the firebox on each side. However, more can be better. The average mantel is approximately 6 inches wider than the fireplace on either side, and some can be even wider.
Do all fireplaces need a hearth?
Gas fireplaces are considered gas appliances, not true fireplaces. Some gas fireplaces are built with “zero-clearance” fireboxes, meaning you can put combustible materials right up to the sides, front and bottom. Not all gas fireplaces are zero-clearance, however, and some may require a hearth.
How far does a gas fireplace stick out from wall?
It depends on the unit, but if we are talking a good quality EPA zero-clearance fireplace like the BIS Traditions then figure the chase (indoor or out) to be around 26 to 28″ deep.
Does a hearth need to be raised?
If you have any solid fuel burning stove, it is absolutely vital that you have the correct hearth for it to sit on. For this reason, regulations also state your hearth should be ‘visually apparent’, with the edge ideally raised above the level of the floor.
What part of a fireplace is the hearth?
The hearth is the floor of the fireplace, providing a fireproof area on which to build a fire. Generally composed of brick, stone or cement, the hearth extends beyond the firebox into the room providing a layer of protection for your home’s floor.
How do you level a fireplace hearth?
2 Answers. If there are high points above the desired end level, use a silicon carbide block (you’ll find them in the masonry section, with grooves in the face and a big plastic handle on the back – roughly 4x8x2 inches) to grind them down. They work surprisingly well.
How big does a wood stove hearth need to be?
Generally speaking, wood stoves require pads 48″ and larger to protect from falling embers.
Can you put a gas fireplace on an interior wall?
Their inner and outer shell construction allows for maximum heat insulation.” As long as you have a natural gas connection or propane availability, you can install a gas fireplace almost anywhere in your home—under a window, in either an outside or inside wall, at wainscot or floor level, in a corner or even in the Feb 16, 2021.
Do gas fireplaces use a lot of gas?
Depending on the age of a gas fireplace and its maximum heat output, a gas fireplace can use a relatively large amounts of gas if used at max settings for a number of hours per day. However, gas fireplaces be a very cost-effective form of heating, especially if using natural gas rather than propane.
Does a gas fireplace need to be vented?
Traditional gas fireplaces, like their wood-burning cousins, require an exhaust flue (vent) to remove harmful fumes from the home. When possible, an existing chimney is used to run a new flue, but in a home without a chimney, the high cost to install venting can sideline the project permanently.
What size should fireplace hearth be?
If your fireplace opening is less than 6 sq ft, your hearth should extend 16 inches in front of your fireplace and 8 inches to the sides. For fireplaces openings that are larger than 6 sq ft, your hearth needs to extend 20 inches to the front and 12 inches to the sides.
Can you put a hearth on wooden floor?
There is no need to destroy your floors, the hearth can sit on top of the hard wood.
Can you raise a fireplace hearth?
Hi Westview, yes you can raise the firebox. You’ll need to remove the wall surface(s) in front of the fireplace to remove the firebox and the lowest section of duct inside the wall. The firebox can then be re-installed at the new height, and a new shorter section of duct added and new wall surface patched etc.
