Mantel clearance issues

[quebee]

I posted another thread a few weeks ago and got some nice help selecting a zero clearance fireplace. We are going with the Ambiance Elegance 36. I was looking through the manual and noticed the mantel clearances are minimum 51.5" from the base of the unit.

https://ambiancefireplaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/24SF_OM_MAR20.pdf

That seems quite high. Definitely higher than the current mantel above our old Heatilator Mark 123. From some google searching, if I want to mount the mantel closer to the top of the fireplace, it looks like my mantel options are to go with a noncombustible mantel, or to choose a combustible mantel but use a mantel shield. Is that right? Are there other options?

If I choose a combustible mantel, can I just have a thin piece of steel fabricated and screwed into the bottomo the mantel so that it is more or less invisible? I'm thinking my wife is going to want a wood mantel.

 

[begreen]

That's correct, for a 3" deep mantel. It goes up depending on the depth. This ZC will produce much more heat than the old unit. The manual says nothing about reducing mantel clearances.

Note that a mantel cannot be installed below the minimum clearance of 51.5 inches (from the bottom of the mantel to the base of the unit). A non-combustible mantle doesn’t require a minimum distance from the fireplace.

Also, the face framing must be non-combustible so consideration for anchoring weight of the mantel needs to be considered.

 

[quebee]

Thanks. I wonder if I choose a natural wood mantel, could I use a fireproofing spray to make the wood noncombustible?

Fire Retardant For Exterior Wood - Up To 5 Year Durability

Flamex PF-2 fire retardant for exterior wood has been lab tested for both Class A fire rating and exterior durability.

natfire.com

Otherwise non-combustible mantel it is then.

 

[begreen]

Thanks. I wonder if I choose a natural wood mantel, could I use a fireproofing spray to make the wood noncombustible?

Fire Retardant For Exterior Wood - Up To 5 Year Durability

Flamex PF-2 fire retardant for exterior wood has been lab tested for both Class A fire rating and exterior durability.

natfire.com

Otherwise non-combustible mantel it is then.

This is an exterior fire retardant. It does not make the wood non-combustible.

 

[quebee]

That product does mention it has a permanent lifespan for interior application. Looks like they also make an interior product.

I’m concerned I won’t be able to make our project work because we also need to put the TV up there.

 

[EbS-P]

I don’t think it would pass inspection with the fire retardant. What design aesthetic are you going for? How will the tv/what kind of tv mount will you use. How far will itE from the top/bottom of the unit? How expensive is the TV.

with an 8” deep stone mantle that’s18” above my stove in my fire place with my tv hanging 24” above the stove and12” away from the wall(no direct radiation from stove), The bottom of the tv can get to 140 degrees easily. It’s not ideal.

 

[BCC_Burner]

I don't think those fire-retarding products prevent pyrolysis, which is the concern/issue with a combustible mantel.

 

[begreen]

The best solution will be a non-combustible mantel. There are some good products on the market that are quite good looking. As noted, a tv over the fireplace is not ideal due to the heat on the electronics.

Non-combustible mantels

Starting a thread for folks that are looking for non-combustible mantels. These are very realistic, but made from concrete: http://magrahearth.com/natural-wood-series-gallery MagraHearth website http://magrahearth.com/

www.hearth.com

 

[quebee]

Thanks everyone. We stopped over at our dealer today and went through the measurements carefully. We currently have a raised hearth. If we put the hearth directly on the floor, the clearances should not be an issue. Whew.

 

[begreen]

Good. It helps to have the whole picture.

 

[kennyp2339]

I often wonder after seeing many videos of people pouring there own counter tops if it would be wise to make a mold to pour a mantel, seems like that would help by-pass clearance issues

 

[EbS-P]

Looking at the decorative stamped concrete it seems like this could be neat. I also think the wood grained tiles could make a nice mantle 8”x48” tiles might not even need grout joints in the face. It’s definitely not and organic look but could really fit well with a more modern look.

 

[begreen]

I often wonder after seeing many videos of people pouring there own counter tops if it would be wise to make a mold to pour a mantel, seems like that would help by-pass clearance issues

If out of concrete then yes, but if out of a resin-based stone, then no.

 

[quebee]

I'm happy to make a new thread for this other quesiton, so mods please let me know if I should do that.

How can I tell if I need the outside air kit for this fireplace? My house was built in 1979 and while it's not drafty, I would bet it's not sealed as tight as some modern homes.

 

[PaulBunyun]

I don't know if this is what your looking for but I recently got this all metal non-combustible mantel from mantelsdirect.com. Manufacture say's it needs to be 12 inches from the opening of the firebox. It looks nice and we are happy with it. They are rather deep at about a foot or so. Here is the link https://www.mantelsdirect.com/68-titus-metal-shelf.html