Fireplaces have evolved from their initial invention in prehistoric times to become a classy and elegant feature in homes and condominiums. Whether you have a regular or electric fireplace, the need for fireplace mantels is essential for interior design and functionality. A fireplace mantel is the perfect accessory for any room adding style and ambiance to the much expected warmth. Mantles come in many designs to compliment modern, contemporary, and traditional decors depending on your own personal taster and the theme throughout your home. While most mantles are constructed of various forms of carved wood, many homeowners have come up with alternatives to traditional mantelpieces.
Perhaps the most difficult choice in picking the right mantelpiece is whether you would like a wood, metal or stone material for the design. While aesthetics are very important when you are making any addition to common areas in the home, in this day and age budget holds just as much importance. Each mantle type has their own advantages and disadvantages whether it is price, design, installation or maintenance. Weighing all of these pros and cons will assist you in determining which fireplace mantel designs are best for you.
Stone mantles consist of materials such as granite, marble, and slate. Adding this facing to your fireplace can give your home an elegance and class it never had before and make your fireplace the focal point of the room. This eye-catching design can be topped off by a wood, tempered glass, or synthetic stone-looking shelves. While stone shelves are beautiful, they are very heavy and must be installed professionally in order to keep your wall structure intact. Because granite and marble are a natural resource that cannot meet supply and demand, it can be very expensive. If budget is no concern, then the sky is the limit. You can hire a professional contractor to design and install a stone facing and mantelpiece.
Wooden fireplace mantels are perhaps the most common choice among homeowners today. Solid wood models are the best in quality as they will age well and stand the test of time. Wood mantels are great because they can be stained and polished as they age to keep that new clean look. Solid wood models will cost slightly more, however, can last a lifetime of any home. For a more affordable option, consider engineered wood mantels, which are synthetic woods much like laminate flooring. Both options are very durable, they entirely depend on your budget and the feel you are trying to create with your mantel design.
There is a vast array of fireplace mantels on the market today. While you can purchase mantelpieces at your local home furnishing stores, you can also purchase these accessories online through furniture retailers. For the best bang for your buck, consider searching through classifieds for slightly used mantles and moving sales, this way you can purchase a designer mantle for a fraction of the price.
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