If you're thinking about setting up a fireplace with in an effective fire mantle, and you don't want to lose the traditional feel of your home which is decorated with fine antique furniture passed down from generations of your family, an Antique Fireplace Mantel will allow you to maintain that classicism. Fireplace mantels are well-designed essentials; they capture the eternal and stylish look that has long been associated with ornate fireplaces in mansions and palaces.

These fireplace mantels weren't built to mesh with like today's fireplaces, so you have to make some adjustments to it before installing. Take your fireplace dimensions when you are going to the store because most of the time Fireplace Mantels are bigger than the fireplace and may require to be trimmed down.

But before buying Mantels make sure that you select a Fireplace Mantels design that you can live with and ties in well with your personal taste and style. Mahogany, walnut & elm are the most popular mantel materials. There is a variety of material used to design mantles like concrete, wood, plaster, glass marble and tile etc?.and or surrounding marble and tile are preferred choice of many designers.

The most important thing is to verify the building and fire codes before construction. Fireplace mantles are pretty expensive, especially when you are shopping for a custom-made model so don't forget to consider the monetary aspect of it & labor too as this type of job is for the professionals only.

There are some low cost mantles complete with shelves and ornamental designs are also available if you are interested in constructing from a mantel kit your self.

You can also get a Low cost ready-made model from $250-300 if they are made of fiberboard. Fireplace mantles made of plaster or concrete are a bit expensive compared to fiberboard one but certainly still affordable for most homeowners. Stone and wood are considerably more expensive, starting from as high as $600 and reaching several thousand dollars.