Fireplace Mega Deals

Choosing a fireplace mantel can be overwhelming if you have no set ideas on what you want as there is such a range of types, materials and styles available for the home owner. A beautiful mantel that matches your selected theme is probably the most essential fireplace accessory you can buy as it will always contribute towards the overall look and charisma of your fireplace; so if your intend for your fireplace to be the centerpiece of a room it is important to get it right first time.

Your final choice will depend on several factors including how much time and money you want to invest in adding a fireplace mantel to your room. Of course if you have plenty of cash to splash a custom designed fireplace mantel is always going to be the best option especially if you want a fireplace mantel specifically to enhance the look of the décor in your room.

There are plenty of willing consultants and designers who can work with you when designing a custom fireplace mantel. However, before calling someone in to help you design the fireplace mantel of your dreams, make sure you do some homework by looking at fireplace mantels online, or in magazines, and compare styles and prices.

If on the other hand you aren’t fussed about having a bespoke mantel, or how the overall dimension of the fireplace relates to the rest of your room you can’t do better than going online to look for ready-made mantels. There are lots of great designs, available in all sorts of exciting materials, but one of the best options when purchasing a mantel is to buy it as part of a fireplace package.

This means you get to choose the fireplace, surround and hearth you want with the appropriate mantel. This makes it so much simpler as the supplier usually has a very good idea of what type of mantel looks good with which type of fire. Electric or gas fires are often sold as a complete fireplace where the mantel is actually part of the fireplace suite; again this makes it easier as you only have to select one complete package.

Fireplace mantel designs are made from many different materials, with wood being one of the most popular materials used. There are many different natural wood finishes available including cherry, mahogany, oak, birch and ash or alternatively you can opt for a paint finish which can look stunning if you have a carved mantel and you pick out the detail in a different but complementary colour.

Cast Iron mantels, which are still popular today were first introduced in the eighteenth century as hob grates and then as the more familiar cast iron fireplace inserts and combination fireplaces in the Victorian era.  At the start of the Edwardian period most fireplaces would still have been composed of a cast iron frame incorporating tilesets on sliders on either side and smaller cast iron frames known as canopies on legs.

Natural stone, including limestone and sandstone, or marble fireplace mantels are usually more expensive, but also more dramatic. If you want a carved stone fireplace mantel, which can look amazing in a large country house, it is always advisable to go directly to a stone carving manufacturer, or an expert craftsman, who will quote you the best price for the quality and employ their own design skills to help you with the various styles and materials.

Another option is of course antique fireplace mantels. These can be found either at reputable antique dealers, architectural salvage companies or specialist antique fireplace companies. Be aware though that dealers will often charge you through the nose for what you may be able to pick up cheaply from a demolition company who are happy to make just a few pounds while knocking down a derelict property; but you will need to keep your ear to the ground to pick up a worthwhile bargain.

Be careful however, when buying an antique mantel as these days fireplaces can so easily be cleverly reproduced and passed on as being authentic and antique, when in fact they are being manufactured elsewhere. You should be able to tell the authenticity by the quality of the craftsmanship and possibly by wear and tear. Another problem with antique mantels is that they are only available in the size that they were made in, so if you buy an antique mantel do make sure it fits your space and covers the firebox appropriately.