All About Fireplace Mantels

Fireplace mantels first appeared in Italy, during the Renaissance period. Roman and Greek architecture is what inspired the mantels original design. Through the years, mantels have made for a wonderful decorative element to add to your room while serving a purpose as well. Beautiful fireplace mantels can completely change a living room from being dull to lively and elegant. There are full surround mantels and single shelf mantels as well.

A mantel can be made out of many different materials. Construction fiberboard was popular in the first wave of the modern fireplace mantel. Elm, walnut and mahogany woods have always been a favorite choice amongst fireplace owners. But, they make them out of metal, wood, glass, plaster, gypsum and other sturdy materials alike.

You can purchase a mantel by selecting them from the inventory of a store, having one custom made, or by building one yourself with a kit. The custom route would be the most expensive one, while building one yourself with a kit would be the most economic route. Fiberboard fireplace mantels can cost anywhere from $200-300 and of course they would be pre-made. Wood mantels and stone ones are more costly. They can range anywhere from $650 and up. Some mantels are in the thousands of dollars, it all depends on the preference of the homeowner.

A lot of people enjoy the rewarding feeling of having built their own. Whether they used a do it yourself mantel kit or built one from scratch (not so easy), it adds a sense of connectedness to your home, knowing that you added the beauty to it with your own hands.

For centuries, fireplace mantels have been a very big part of people's homes and decorating experience and it doesn't seem like that is going to slow down anytime soon. Just make sure you choose the right one for you, one that you absolutely love!

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You can find out more about Fireplace Mantels as well as much more information on fireplaces and fireplace accessories at http://www.FireplacesA-Z.com