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Discover the Beauty Within

QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP

Adorn your fireplace with a truly stunning accent piece! Our rustic log style mantels are custom crafted from premium hardwood to deliver bold details and exquisite character. While your typical wood mantel shelf is engineered from materials such as medium density fiberboard or even softwood species, our solid wood mantels are individually selected, then hand hewn and finished to bring out the true beauty that lies within each log.

No two trees are alike, and because of this, each log mantel we create is one of a kind. When you explore our mantels, you'll see that the face styles (or the front surface) that we offer each have a different appearance. Depending on your home decor scheme and personal taste, you may prefer a mantel with a smooth face. For a fireplace that needs a little personality, you may want to consider a front surface that features knots, bark, or markings from carving tools. Regardless of the surface texture you choose, please know that a common characteristic in all of our mantels is the appearance of splits on the top, bottom, or ends of the log. During the drying process, all wood shrinks and splits will form. This is no way affects the structural integrity of your mantel. It merely enhances the pastoral appeal of the piece!

TYPICAL THICKNESS AND DEPTH

Log style mantels are meant to be noticed! Our skilled artisans saw each log to over 4 inches thick. Next, the wood will go through a kiln drying process, followed by hand planing and sanding. The finished product averages between 3 1/2 and 4 inches thick.

Mantel depth (front to back dimensions) depends on the size and natural shape of the log. Typically, our most narrow mantels are 7 inches deep, while the largest can be up to 12 inches deep or better. Irregularly shaped wood may be more narrow in the middle or at one end of the log mantel, giving it an organic appearance and making an eye-catching focal point in your home.

Our online inventory showcase will feature a picture of each mantel that is currently in stock, along with a description of the wood species, sizes, and characteristics of that particular piece. Click here to view our mantels now!

ABOUT OUR MANTELS

Our log style mantels are custom made from native hardwood. We have selected six naturally robust species which have proven to be superior over other varieties: Basswood, Butternut, Cherry, Eastern Red Cedar, Elm, and Walnut. These particular hardwoods retain their strength and stability during the kiln drying process and exhibit less shrinking, twisting, and cracking as compared to other classes of wood. Click here to learn more about these wood species.

When we talk about "style," we're referring to the face or the front of the mantel. This is the surface that is most visible in your living space. We offer five styles to suit your preference:

Eastern Red Cedar Mantel with a Natural Facing
Natural Face:

During the sawing and kiln drying process, the bark of certain trees falls off. The exposed wood show clear definition and the true shape of the log, in addition to any knots, wormholes or other markings. (Image features Eastern Red Cedar species)

Basswood Fireplace Log Mantel with Bark Facing
Bark Face:

This rustic style is the result of the bark holding firmly to the wood during the manufacturing process. Because this effect is less likely to occur, you may find that our inventory is limited. Please be advised that the bark which has successfully adhered to the log mantel is not guaranteed to stay tight indefinitely. It may require tacks or glue. You'll be reassured to know that our customers who have chosen and installed bark face mantels over the past 15 years have experienced minimal issues. (Image features Basswood variety)

Square Cut Walnut Log Fireplace Mantel
Square Face:

For a more traditional looking mantel that features a flat surface on all sides, you'll appreciate the square face style. Remember - this is a solid piece of wood! just as if you were to get timber from your local lumber yard or hardware store to construct the framework of a home or building. Our mantels are not pieces of particle board that are glued together. The face of the mantel will display the lovely, consistent grain patterns the same grain patterns and can be seen on the top, bottom and sides of the mantel. (Image features Walnut species)

Draw Knife Cut Basswood Log Mantel
Draw Knife Face:

At first glance, the draw knife style looks much like the square face style. However, there is a difference and if you look close enough, you'll see it! Sometimes during the logging or manufacturing process, the face of a mantel may be blemished. It is possible to smooth out the wood with a draw knife. This traditional woodworking tool consists of a blade with a handle at each end. The tool is pulled or "drawn" toward the woodworker in an effort to remove shavings, or in this case, undesirable flaws. The log mantel's grain, as well as knots and other character marks, will often present as they would in a square face style mantel, however, the log shape will be more irregular or natural looking. The ends of a draw knife mantel are cut square. (Image features Basswood variety)

 

Carved Butternut Fireplace Log Mantel
Carved Face:

If you are looking for the most unique and detailed mantel style for your home, then the carved face example will definitely appeal to you. The face and ends of this particular log mantel are whittled and shaped with hand carving tools to add distinguishing features to the finished product. Characteristics such as knots, grain distortions, and wormwood markings are emphasized, while cracks that may have developed in the drying process tend to become softened. (Image features Butternut species)
 

HOW THE MANTELS ARE MANUFACTURED:

Each log that is to be turned into a mantel shelf is carefully hand-selected, and then undergoes the following process:

  • Logs are each cut to a minimum of 4 inches thick in our sawmill
  • An extensive drying time begins. After the logs have completely air dried in the lumber yard, they are placed through a drying kiln. This is a tedious method that, believe it or not, may take up to a year or more.
  • The logs are sorted by style, and then undergo surface planing on the top and bottom to remove any saw marks, or to bring out the grains and character details of the wood. It is here that carved, draw knife, and square face varieties take on their unique identities.
  • All mantels are sanded before shipping and leave our facility without having a varnish or stain applied. We feel that this task should be completed by the homeowner at the time of installation in order to best match the home's surrounding woodwork.

INSTALLATION:

The installation will depend on your personal preference and how your fireplace is situated. Each situation will be different. Here are some of the methods that have proved successful with our customers:

New Fireplaces

If you are constructing a new home with a masonry fireplace, often you are able to install the mantel before the brick or stone fireplace facing is erected. You can accomplish this by mounting the log style mantel with hidden lags or support boards. For those that prefer a mantel shelf that is "built-in" to the fireplace, construction cement may be a possibility. Once the mantel is in place, the brick or stone can then be constructed around the mantel. We also make wooden mounting brackets that can be used to support the mantel shelf. Click on the "mantel brackets" link shown at the top of the page to see these supports.

Existing Fireplaces:

Determine where your mantel will be installed over your existing fireplace, then drill holes into the mortar joints. Metal rods that are approximately 1 inch in diameter can be inserted into these holes with anchors or pressure cement. Next, drill holes into the mantel so that they line up with the rods. Now the mantel can slide right on to the rods, needing only the stability from construction cement or small corner brackets.

For irregular stone fireplace facings, the back edge of the mantel should be carved to fit the stone. If you are unsure of how to do this, please consult a contractor or carpenter to help you. If you prefer to use solid wood brackets to support your mantel shelf, click on the "mantel brackets" link at the top of the page. 

 

View our mantel inventory