Fireplace Mantels & Surrounds

Mantel and surround types at a glance

Non-combustible or wood

Lexington Hearth mantels are molded from antique timbers and stone, cast in Burncrete or concrete and certified non-combustible under ASTM E136, and Lexington designs them to mount closer to a heat source than wood. The three-piece Hitching Post surround frames the fireplace on three sides with a 78.5" top rail and two 56" posts. Majestic's Design Series shelves are Supercast concrete with a wood-grain finish, and Majestic rates them for indoor or outdoor use.

Wood mantels come in traditional, transitional, rustic and modern styles, and you can finish them yourself. Primed MDF is ready for paint, and unfinished maple and distressed knotty alder take paint or stain. A wood mantel has to meet the mantel clearances in your fireplace manual, so check that distance before you choose between wood and non-combustible.

Shelf, flush mantel or cabinet

A mantel shelf is one piece on the wall above the opening. Majestic's Fillmore and Ozark shelves come in 48", 59" and 72" lengths, and Empire's Profile shelves in 48", 60" and 72". A flush mantel adds two legs and frames the opening. Empire notes that its Profile flush mantels need a tile, stone or other non-combustible surround, and that plinths make the mantel taller while cutting the pilasters makes it shorter. Majestic sells optional bases for its Kenwood mantels.

Cabinet mantels hold the fireplace itself. Empire's wooden cabinet mantels come as standard or corner cabinets in cherry, dark oak, oak, white or unfinished hardwood for its 32", 36" and 42" Breckenridge Deluxe fireboxes and its Vail fireplaces, and its peninsula mantel top and base fit the 36" peninsula models. For electric fireplaces, SimpliFire floating mantel kits and build-out kits, Modern Flames Studio Suites and Allwood media walls, and the Dimplex Storm Surround Collection give a built-in look without major construction.

Stone surrounds

The Majestic stone surrounds, along with the Monessen and SimpliFire sets, are natural marble, granite or slate cut into the pieces that face a fireplace. Majestic offers Set 1, Set 2 and Set 3 as single packs (70", 60" and 49") or in packs ordered in multiples of 6, in Absolute Black and Steel Gray granite and Driftwood, Bianco White, Blue Tundra and Parchwood marble, among others, and rates them for most wood-burning and gas fireplaces.

Slate headers, legs and a 70" x 20" slate hearth can be ordered on their own, along with Driftwood marble linear headers and risers for most linear gas fireplaces. Each stone has its own pattern and color, so pieces vary from the photos.

Metal surrounds

Metal surrounds are made for one fireplace, so check the model in the title before ordering. Superior's 3-piece and 4-piece surrounds fit its 35", 40" and 45" direct-vent fireplaces, and its DS surrounds in black matte or stainless fit the DRL and VRL linear fireplaces. Kingsman's picture frame surrounds include safety screens. Remii's wall mount surrounds come in bronze or dark grey for WM fireplaces, and its black semi-flush surrounds finish a WM-B fireplace set 4" into a 2 x 4 wall. Kingsman and Barbara Jean also make stainless surrounds for outdoor fireplaces.

Trim surrounds for fireplace inserts, such as the metal surrounds for Majestic's Ruby, Jasper and Trilliant inserts or the IronStrike panels for the Montlake, are not in this collection. Each one is sized to its insert, so contact us with your insert model and we will match the right surround.

Mounting and clearances

Lexington mantels hang on a steel bracket screwed into the wall studs. Empire's Profile shelves mount on a 1" x 2" x 42" wall cleat with three 3" drywall screws and finishing nails.

Clearances come from your fireplace manual and local code. Lexington's install guide, for example, calls for at least 6" above equipment under 50,000 Btu and 12" above equipment at 50,000 Btu or more, and your fireplace manufacturer's numbers come first.

FAQs

What is the difference between a mantel shelf and a flush mantel?

A mantel shelf is a single shelf mounted above the opening. A flush mantel has a shelf and two legs that frame the fireplace and its stone or tile facing, and it comes in set sizes, such as Majestic's A, B and C.

Can I paint or stain a mantel?

Primed MDF mantels are ready for paint, and unfinished maple, knotty alder and hardwood mantels can be painted or stained. Lexington mantels arrive hand-painted, and Lexington's warranty does not cover painting or refinishing.

Are the stone surrounds real stone?

Yes. The Majestic stone sets are natural marble, granite and slate, so the pattern and color vary from piece to piece.

Which mantels and surrounds can go outdoors?

Majestic rates its Design Series Supercast concrete shelves for indoor or outdoor use. Kingsman and Barbara Jean make stainless steel surrounds for their outdoor fireplaces.

Do you carry surrounds for my fireplace insert?

Insert surrounds are not in this collection because each one fits a single insert. Browse Fireplace Inserts or reach out to our team with your insert model.

Still deciding?

Pair a mantel with a fireplace from Gas Fireplaces, Electric Fireplaces, Vent Free Fireplaces or Wood Fireplaces. If you would like help matching a mantel or surround to your fireplace, contact us with the fireplace model and wall width and we will suggest a fit.