Floating Mantels
A real wood box beam mounted with hidden support, for a clean shelf on brick, stone or drywall.
See our floating mantelsCustom Fireplace Mantels in Charlotte, NC
Chava Grain & Beam by Chava Home Design builds custom fireplace mantels in Charlotte, NC from real wood, sized to your fireplace and your wall. Choose a clean floating mantel or a full surround in white oak, walnut, pine or another species, built in our Indian Trail shop and installed by our own team.
A mantel is the first thing guests see in the room. Ours are measured, built and finished for yours.
- Built to fityour fireplace, wall and clearances
- 5-year warrantyon materials and labor
- About 2 weeksfrom production to install
Our Fireplace Mantel Services
We build two kinds of mantels in real wood: floating mantels with hidden support, and full surrounds that frame the entire fireplace.
Mantel Surrounds
Legs, frieze and shelf built as one piece to frame the fireplace and replace a builder-grade mantel.
Explore full wood mantel surroundsHow to Choose the Right Fireplace Mantel
Choose a floating mantel when you want one clean line of wood, and a surround when the fireplace needs a frame and more presence in the room.
| Style | Best for | When we recommend it | Timeline | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floating Mantel | Brick, stone and modern drywall fireplace walls | You like the wall as it is and want a warm accent | About 2 weeks from production to install | A single real wood beam that seems to float |
| Mantel Surround | Plain fireplace openings and builder-grade mantels | The fireplace needs a frame and more weight in the room | About 2 weeks from production to install | A full wood frame with legs and a shelf |
Not sure which fits? We bring both options to the visit. When you are ready, schedule a free mantel measurement.
How We Build and Install Your Mantel
One team measures, designs, builds and installs your mantel, about two weeks from material production to a finished fireplace wall.
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1. Measure the Fireplace
We measure the opening, the wall and the clearances, and note your fireplace type.
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2. Wood, Size and Stain
We choose the wood, depth and stain with you, next to your floors and in your light.
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3. Built in Our Shop
We build and finish the mantel in Indian Trail, with its support built in.
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4. Installed and Cleaned Up
We protect the hearth and floors, mount the mantel and clean up before we leave.
What Makes Our Mantels Different
We are a woodworking shop, not a store: every mantel is built from real wood for one fireplace, and installed by the people who built it.
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Real Wood, Never a Wrap
Solid boards with real grain on every visible face, not foam or a printed wrap.
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Sized to Your Fireplace
Width, depth and height come from your wall, not a catalog length.
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Planned Around Clearances
We place every mantel with the fire safety rules for your fireplace type in mind.
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Matches Your Beams and Shelves
The same wood and stain as your ceiling beams and shelves, for one cohesive look.
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Hidden Mounting Built In
Support is built into the mantel in our shop, so nothing shows on install day.
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Insured, With a 5-Year Warranty
Fully insured, with a 5-year warranty on materials and labor.
Which Mantel Fits Your Fireplace?
The fireplace itself decides most of the design: its surface, its heat source and what hangs above it set the mantel's style, depth and height.
Mantel Options by Fireplace Type
| Fireplace | What works well | What we check first |
|---|---|---|
| Painted or natural brick | A floating mantel that lets the brick show, or a surround over a plain brick face | The mortar joints and brick condition where the mantel mounts |
| Stone or stone veneer | A thick floating mantel with a rustic or smooth finish | How even the stone face is, so the mantel sits tight |
| Drywall with tile surround | A full surround to frame the opening, or a slim floating mantel | Where the framing is inside the wall |
| Gas insert or electric unit | Either style, sized to the unit | The manufacturer's clearance instructions for that model |
Mantel Clearance in 30 Seconds
For masonry fireplaces, the International Residential Code (IRC) keeps wood trim at least 6 inches from the fireplace opening, and anything within 12 inches of the opening may project only 1/8 inch for each inch of distance from it (Fine Homebuilding). Gas and electric units follow their own manufacturer instructions. Our guide to mantel clearance rules shows the zones with examples.
Six Measurements to Take Before You Call
The Opening
- Width of the fireplace opening
- Height from hearth to the top of the opening
The Wall
- Width of the fireplace wall
- Height from the opening to the ceiling
Above the Mantel
- TV, art or mirror size
- Outlets or wiring on the wall
Planning a TV above the fireplace? Start with our guide to mantel height with a TV.
Fireplace Mantels Across the Charlotte Area
We build and install custom mantels in homes across Charlotte and Union County, within 100 miles of our Indian Trail shop.
- Mantels in Indian TrailHome of our woodshop
- Mantels in BallantyneSouth Charlotte homes
- Mantels in SouthParkRemodels and refreshes
- Mantels in ProvidenceRoad, Plantation, Country Club
- Mantels in WeddingtonGreat rooms and tall walls
- Mantels in MarvinMinutes from our shop
- Mantels in WaxhawNew builds and remodels
- All service areasCharlotte and 100 miles around
What Clients Say About Their Mantels
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[PREENCHER: first name, last initial][PREENCHER: area] · Fireplace mantels
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[PREENCHER: first name, last initial][PREENCHER: area] · Fireplace mantels
[PREENCHER: real testimonial about fireplace mantels]
[PREENCHER: first name, last initial][PREENCHER: area] · Fireplace mantels
Fireplace Mantel Questions, Answered
Straight answers to what homeowners ask us most about custom fireplace mantels.
What kind of fireplace mantels do you build?
Two styles, both in real wood such as walnut or white oak: floating mantels, a solid-looking beam mounted with hidden support, and full mantel surrounds with legs and a shelf that frame the whole fireplace.
Is a wood mantel safe over a fireplace?
Yes, when it respects the clearance rules for your fireplace. We plan the height and depth of every mantel around your fireplace type and those rules before we build. Read our guide to mantel clearance rules.
Mantel or mantle: which is correct?
"Mantel" is the standard spelling for the shelf or surround above a fireplace, also called a mantelpiece. "Mantle" is a common variant, so you will see both when you search. On this site we use "mantel."
Can you build a mantel for an electric or gas fireplace?
Yes. Gas inserts and electric fireplaces have their own installation instructions from the manufacturer, which set how close wood can sit. We follow them when we size and place your mantel.
Can you mount a mantel on brick or stone?
Yes. We mount mantels on brick, stone and drywall walls, with the support hidden inside the mantel. We explain the mounting for your wall at the free visit.
How high should a mantel be?
It depends on the fireplace opening, the clearance rules and what goes above it, especially a TV. See our guide to mantel height with a TV before you decide.
Can my mantel match my ceiling beams?
Yes. We build mantels, beams and floating shelves in the same wood and stain, from white oak to walnut, so the room reads as one design.
How long does a custom mantel take?
About two weeks from material production to installation. Most of the work happens in our Indian Trail shop, so time in your home is short.
Do you show mantel prices online?
No. Every fireplace is different, so we measure for free and send a written quote. Our guide to custom mantel cost factors explains what changes the price.
Fireplace Mantel Guides
Three guides answer the questions homeowners ask most before ordering a mantel: clearance, TV height and cost.
Fireplace Mantel Clearance: The Code Rules in Plain English
The 6-inch and 12-inch zones around a fireplace opening, explained with simple measurements.
Read the mantel clearance rules
Mantel Height With TV Above: The Complete Guide
Clearance, viewing height and mantel depth when a TV hangs over the fireplace.
Plan mantel height with a TV
Custom Mantel Cost: What Drives the Price
Wood, size, mounting and fireplace type: what changes the price of a custom mantel.
See custom mantel cost factorsWant the whole room to match? See ceiling beams that match your mantel, built in the same wood. Builders and designers can read about mantels for builders and designers.
Schedule a Free Mantel Measurement
Tell us about your fireplace. We will call or text to book a visit, measure the opening and the wall, bring wood and stain samples, and send a written quote.
- Free visit and fireplace measurement
- Installed about two weeks from production
- 5-year warranty on materials and labor