Mantel above Alcove?

[Fetz]

Hi again everyone, I have posted a couple times about my fireplace remodel and you all have been super helpful. We are putting a BK Ashford 30.2 into a combustible alcove. This stove requires 37" of clearance above the stove and does not specify a maximum alcove depth. We are finishing the ceiling of the alcove at 37" above the stove. Is there any reason we couldn't/shouldn't put a mantel above the alcove? There are lots of pictures of this online, but with AI and all you can't really trust a picture on its own. This picture (also AI generated) shows the design we are aiming for.

I am hoping to use a reclaimed barn wood beam. If we are able to go this route, are there certain woods we should avoid? Certain stain materials? Should we just go with a non-combustible mantel out of an abundance of caution, or skip it all together? It will be a bit high for a mantel, 68.75" above the floor to be precise.

Side-note: This stove only requires ember protection which we are accomplishing with porcelain tile. Is there any reason we should consider adding some form of hearth insulation value?

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[begreen]

As long as the mantel is above the clearance requirement it should be ok.

FYI - If clearances are an issue, consider a non-combustible mantel. There are several good looking ones to choose from.

Thread 'Non-combustible mantels'

Apr 23, 2020

Starting a thread for folks that are looking for non-combustible mantels. These are very realistic, but made from concrete:

Natural Wood Series | MagraHearth

MagraHearth offers mantels with a wooden appearance with our Natural Wood Series.

magrahearth.com

MagraHearth website

MagraHearth | Non-Combustible Fireplace Mantels

MagraHearth's non-combustible products include mantels, fireplace surrounds, hearth boards, and stove pads.

magrahearth.com

• begreen
• Replies: 10
• Forum: The Hearth Room - Wood Stoves and Fireplaces

• 

A tile hearth on standard cementboard will be fine.

 

[Fetz]

Thanks. It'll be above the clearance requirement. It just feels a little bit naughty.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Thanks. It'll be above the clearance requirement. It just feels a little bit naughty.

The bottom of the mantel where the hot air rolls up around it will be the hottest. I had a similar situation with the wood
surround/mantel on my natural gas fireplace. That was the hottest spot where it was wood. I measured the surface temperature of the wood to convince myself it was OK. In the end I still wished I had more clearance, as there were many fan/heat settings and all that made a difference.