removable mantle shield?

[newatthis]

So, it's clear we need to do something to shield our mantels, but after thinking about how far an angled piece of metal has to stick out, I was wondering if anyone has ever put in a small piece of metal onto the mantle (permanently- probably screwed onto the lintel), and then temporarily clamped or screwed on a larger metal extension for the winter season. Then the extension could be removed when not needed during the warm months. This is about appearance primarily, but am also thinking the shield would be out of the path of traffic, avoiding snagging clothes, etc. Thanks.

 

[Grisu]

You could stick one in the surround like here: https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/front-of-wood-stove-jpg.99839/ It will be pretty visible in the winter but should be easy to remove in the summer.

 

[branchburner]

My mantle is a bit over 2 feet above the stove, and extends only a few inches. About half way up I drilled 3 small holes in the brick at 45 degrees. I inserted 3 long nails and have a 6x36 piece of sheet metal resting on them... all easily removed in the off-season. While the bricks below the shield might run 150-250f, those above, and the mantle itself, run under 100f.

This might not work too well, though, if your mantle extends out very far.

 

[Simonkenton]

We have a real nice rental house, a big brick ranch style built in 1960. The mantel is about 2 feet above the fireplace opening, it is made of wood and it sticks out about 7 inches. Painted white. Brick fireplace.
We converted the fireplace into gas logs and we blocked the flue pipe. These gas logs crank out 32K BTU. I notices that the mantel was getting too hot.
I bought a piece of galvanized steel roofing at Lowes, it is called "tin" roofing but it is shiny galvanized steel, 8 feet long. I cut out a piece the length of the mantel, about 4 feet, and 10 inches wide.

I soaked the steel sheet with vinegar and let it set out for an hour, then washed it clean. This removes any oil that is on the steel, and also causes the zinc to oxidize. This makes it suitable for painting.
Painted it black with satin, not glossy, high temp muffler paint.

I attached it to the edge of the mantel with four 3 inch decking screws, so that the steel was held 2 inches away from the wood.
The back part of the black steel sheet ran down at about a 45 degree angle, where it contacted the bricks. Fastened it to the mortar joint with steel masonry screws.

Being at an angle like that, the heat runs up the brick face and rolls right up the steel sheet, and out.

If this sheet was left in the original silver color it wouldn't look good. Painted black, it doesn't look bad. You hardly notice it, it just looks like a shadow beneath the mantel.

 

[midfielder]

 

[newatthis]

This is all very helpful. Midfielder, I'm having trouble seeing what you've go there- is that some sort of 3 sided box against the mantle?

Grisu, does the shield attach to the surround in that picture?

 

[Grisu]

Grisu, does the shield attach to the surround in that picture?

That picture is from an older thread. Check it out: https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/mantel-heat-shield-question-how-far-beyond-mantel.108955/

However, I put it more as an example that the shield would not need to be permanently attached to the mantel but could be stuck to the surround.

 

[Beer Belly]

We have one for our insert....the look grew on us, so we leave it year round

 

[newatthis]

Beer, does it just tuck in under the surround? Did you buy or make it?

 

[Beer Belly]

Beer, does it just tuck in under the surround? Did you buy or make it?

Tucks in behind the surround.....easy removal, bought it with the Insert, not sure of individual cost

 

[midfielder]

This is all very helpful. Midfielder, I'm having trouble seeing what you've go there- is that some sort of 3 sided box against the mantle?

Sry - maybe this is easier to see. Three pieces of sheet metal. Federal period wooden mantle surrounding metal box fireplace, integrated sheet metal nosing inside perimeter of opening, ceramic spacers (4 top, 3 sides) between shields and nosing with stainless sheet metal screws as fasteners. Easy on/off.

 

[TheRambler]

I had to put in a mantel shield for my new PH install. I just bought the 10inx10ft roll of brown alluminum roofing flashing. Cut off a 4ft section, and put a 1 in alluminum spacer at 3 inches from each edge and one in the middle. Put a bend in the bottom so it would rest in the mortar joint of the brick line below the mantel. My mantel is a 6x6x16ft timber painted a dark brown ,set into the brick. I just put in 3 black anchors so that when i take it off for the season it will blend right in. Luckily the brown flashing is almost the exact same color as the timber.