How to Build Floating Mantels

Building a floating wooden mantel for your fireplace is fun and rewarding. And this guide shows how you can do it step by step. The main stuff you’ll need is some pieces of wood, including 2x4s and 1×6 pine boards. You’ll see how to pre-drill holes in the wood. That way, you can screw them together easily.

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Next, you’ll learn how to build the frame for the mantel. The shorter pieces of wood can be three inches long. You’ll attach them to the longer ones to make a frame.  Since you’ll be mounting this on drywall, use regular screws to secure it to the wall studs. It’s best to use a level to ensure everything is straight.

Then, it’s time to build the box you’ll use to cover the frame. You can use pine boards and cut the corners at an angle for a clean finish. Experts recommend using painter’s tape to hold the corners together before gluing them. Once you build the box, strengthen it with scrap wood by gluing and nailing the pieces together. Don’t forget to fill any imperfections with wood putty.

The fun part comes next – sanding and staining the mantels. Consider using sanding the wood with sandpaper to make it smooth. Then, use a wood conditioner and a whitewashing stain to give the pine a neutral color. To finish it all off, apply the wax in a circular motion and buff it out after waiting for about 15 minutes. So, if you’ve been planning to add a floating mantel to your fireplace, this video is a great resource to get you started.