Every homeowner has to make the decision between selecting a wood fireplace mantel or a stone fireplace mantel. One would always have the option of not using a mantel and simply putting a simple tile surround around the firebox, but in most cases people prefer the look of a mantel over the fireplace to give the room a focal point. Without a fireplace mantel the room becomes like any ordinary room. So then one would ask what is the point of having a fireplace installed in a room without making the most of the fireplace. Wood has been the old standby for years because of the ease of finding a carpenter or cabinet company to make one. And wood offers a variety of options and trim work to achieve many different styles of mantels. One drawback with wood is that most building codes require that wood must remain a certain distance from the firebox because it is flammable. Many people have narrow clearances with fireplace surrounds and do not have the option or the flexibility to use wood because of fire code. In these cases it is necessary to either omit the mantel completely or select a mantel material that is non-combustible. One solution to this is cast stone. Because cast stone is non-combustible it does not have an issue with clearance. Cast stone mantels can be placed directly up to the firebox without the concern for the mantel catching fire. www.oldworldmantels.com.
