There was a time when most fireplace mantels were made from wood. These days there is a huge range of materials available for fireplace mantel construction.

Wood is still a good choice, and can add a real touch of elegance to a room. This is especially true of antique mantels, which can be found with a little searching. The most favored woods are mahogany and walnut.

But other materials are well worth considering for your fireplace mantel. Metal has become popular for some people. Concrete mantels are also a choice material for some. Another choice is a plaster mantel, and even glass fireplace mantels have made an appearance.

But no matter the material, some design elements of the fireplace mantel have stayed much the same since Greek and Roman times, when they first made an appearance. The question comes down to: how much do you want to spend on your fireplace mantel?

The cost will depend much upon the materials used.

Fiberboard mantels are the least expensive. Pre-cast concrete and plaster cost more. Stone and wood are at the top of the range and can cost several thousand dollars. On top of the materials, you might want to have your fireplace custom built in order to make sure it fits in with the decor. This will add more to the cost than buying a ready-made mantel.

To save money, consider a mantel kit. It takes some work to assemble a fireplace mantel kit, but the results can be very good.

About the Author:

John Kilminster writes about the home and lifestyle. His website http://www.fireplacemantelhut.com is an online resource giving information on how to choose the best fireplace mantel for your home.

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