Non combustible mantels

[mcstatz5829]

Anyone have experience with these? I’m thinking ahead to things I want to redo. My pine mantel with heatshield is fine, but I’m guessing it’s not exactly code. Bottom of mantel stays around 125F when stove is running, so I don’t think pyrolysis is a concern at this point.

If I get a bonus this year I will probably redo the stove install and would like to figure out something that is code and won’t look bad if I have to sell house.

 

[jetsam]

There is poured cement, which is cheap but requires you to build forms, and not very decorative unless you tile it or veneerstone it or something.

Masonry (like a surround/mantel made from local rocks you picked out of the river) can be cheap and very pretty.

Either one could require some structural work if the fireplace isn't on a slab. You're adding a lot of weight.

Then there is 'cast stone', which is often thousands of dollars, but can be fairly ornate. Not sure about the weight of that stuff, either.

You could also get creative with other materials- like maybe building a box out of steel studs and Hardieplank or Hardieboard. That would be much lighter and still pretty cheap.

Check with your town first. Maybe the old one is fine...