Mantel Heights - Advice wanted

[Hills Hoard]

Hi, I have an insert in a brick wall and want to build a mantel above it. Just wondering if people can advise on best the height? I have researched and found figures range from 54 inches to 70. or about 1.3 m to 1.7m.

This is the only pic o have right now.

 

[webfish]

I just talked to the owner of the shop making our mantel. Had same question. He said it really varies , most are around 5 feet. He said different clearances, styles, etc...can be variables but not one set height.

 

[Hills Hoard]

Is the 5 feet from the floor or the top of the hearth? Either way, I think i have narrowed it down to about 5 feet or 1.5 m from the floor.

Thanks for your help.

 

[begreen]

The mantel clearance will be determined by the insert. This should be listed in the insert installation manual. It will vary depending on the insert make and model. In very general terms the more flush the insert the lower the mantel clearance usually is.

 

[webby3650]

Typically a flush or nearly flush insert wants 24" to the mantel. If the insert projects they want 30-36" from the stove top. The further the mantel projects into the room, the higher it needs to be. All inserts require different clearances, you really need the owners manual..

 

[Hills Hoard]

Typically a flush or nearly flush insert wants 24" to the mantel. If the insert projects they want 30-36" from the stove top. The further the mantel projects into the room, the higher it needs to be. All inserts require different clearances, you really need the owners manual..

It might be dumb luck, but the height I have chosen is exectly 24" (60cm) from the top of the insert. The insert is quite flush against the wall too. Also the mantel is only 22 cm deep. A nice length of red gum. I am planning on treating with linseed oil. is this a bad idea?

 

[begreen]

What height above the insert does the manual call for?

 

[Lake Girl]

(broken link removed to http://www.masportheating.co.nz/files/downloads/Install%20Manuals/Woodfire_Install_Manual.pdf)
page 11 mentions 600mm from top of vent to mantel.

 

[begreen]

Close enough to 24" to call it.

 

[Hills Hoard]

What height above the insert does the manual call for?

Was in the house when we bought it. Don't have a manual. And the company that made them, doesn't exist anymore.

 

[velvetfoot]

Does a TV above come into play?

 

[webby3650]

Does a TV above come into play?

Not as far as clearances are concerned. It will however greatly reduce the lifespan of the tv. Probably the worst place ever for a tv!

 

[velvetfoot]

Perhaps measuring temperatures would provide an informed opinion.

 

[Hills Hoard]

Does a TV above come into play?

no, just a big painting....

 

[velvetfoot]

I know it's warmer there, but it's so wild that it's winter there and summer here.

 

[begreen]

We tend to forget the other half of the world, from South America to Africa to Australia and New Zealand.

 

[Hills Hoard]

I know it's warmer there, but it's so wild that it's winter there and summer here.

Dont be fooled. it gets icey cold here in winter!

 

[Hills Hoard]

We tend to forget the other half of the world, from South America to Africa to Australia and New Zealand.

There are a few ozzies on here i think. One member lives in the same town as me.

 

[begreen]

Good to have you all aboard!

 

[Hills Hoard]

Here is the end result. Thanks everyone for your advice. FYI. I went with 600 MM above the top of the insert.

 

[Apprentice_GM]

Not as far as clearances are concerned. It will however greatly reduce the lifespan of the tv. Probably the worst place ever for a tv!

Strongly disagree.

Most (all?) inserts have blowers that blow air out into the room. This air is warm, and rises. It depends on how strong your blower is, how big your room is and how high the ceiling, but many combinations (like mine) lead to cool air falling from above the insert completing a room cycle of airflow. This makes above the insert the best place for a TV. Measure and see - YMMV. A tissue ribbon can be useful for subtle airflow detection.

 

[begreen]

That's an interesting observation on convection. With our (now gone) fireplace the masonry behind the wall heated up the wall notably. If you put your hand on it after the fire had been burning for hours it was warm. This was with an uninsulated liner in the chimney. Best place is debatable. I prefer the screen to be a bit lower. It's easier on the neck.

 

[Lake Girl]

The mantel looks great. Love the blue glass but then I have some of my own!

 

[Hills Hoard]

Strongly disagree.

Most (all?) inserts have blowers that blow air out into the room. This air is warm, and rises. It depends on how strong your blower is, how big your room is and how high the ceiling, but many combinations (like mine) lead to cool air falling from above the insert completing a room cycle of airflow. This makes above the insert the best place for a TV. Measure and see - YMMV. A tissue ribbon can be useful for subtle airflow detection.

That's an interesting observation on convection. With our (now gone) fireplace the masonry behind the wall heated up the wall notably. If you put your hand on it after the fire had been burning for hours it was warm. This was with an uninsulated liner in the chimney. Best place is debatable. I prefer the screen to be a bit lower. It's easier on the neck.

Interesting points. I was unsure of how much the mantel would heat up where it is. Monitored it all weekend and it actually stays quite cool. I was surprised. Thats the great thing about this forum. If it hadn't of worked for me, I still would have posted results so everyone else could learn from my mistakes. haha

 

[velvetfoot]

Last house tour I went on the TV was either over the fireplace mantle or to the side of the fireplace. Either way isn't optimum for TV viewing, with either the neck craning up to see it, or a bad angle for viewing from the side. Of course, they all had media rooms, lol.