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Architectural and Altered Antiques

How to Measure for Fireplace Installation

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When dreaming of installing a fireplace, the aesthetics of how beautiful it will look in your space – distribution of flickering light, the warmth of a toasty fire on cold evenings – is the first thing that comes to mind. This is how ideas are born, but it will take actual practical construction principles to frame the idea into the reality of a fireplace setup.

Several elements are taken into consideration when planning a fireplace installation. Your design-build plan incorporates the size of the room and its dimensions, the style of fireplace and type of fuel, heating efficiency, and the chosen location of installation.

Fireplace area, flue size, and chimney height are subject to local building codes and standard functional considerations. A helpful article from Concrete Construction discusses these considerations.

For starters, here are a few common types of fireplaces and their characteristics.

Masonry

Masonry fireplaces include constructions of stone, brick, or mortar. This type of fireplace is common in historical buildings or rustic design schemes, which makes masonry slightly tricky as new construction because they were historically part of the original home design. The standard masonry fireplace will have a 24 – 48 in. dimension, with variations for the height of the walls. Hearth to mantle measurements is around 54 – 73 in.

Gas

Gas fireplaces are a choice in many contemporary spaces for beauty, safety, and energy efficiency. There is more room to play with shape and dimension with a gas fireplace. They are also a less awkward alternative to install in alternate rooms, such as bedrooms or bathrooms. Standard dimensions are about 24 – 48 in. W, 36 in. + H, with a 24 in. opening and firebox height of 14 in.

Electric

Electric fireplaces are heaters that look like a fireplace without the need for chimney, flue, or vents. Common dimensions are 44 in. W, 31 in. H, and 13 in. depth.

Fireplace Inserts

Fireplace inserts, like fireplaces, offer the options of wood, gas, or propane. They are more energy-efficient than the traditional fireplace. Inserts are made of steel or cast iron and may include fans for optimal heat distribution along with wall thermostats or remote controls. They are available in small (26 in. W, 17 in. H, 14 in. D), medium (29 in. W, 20 in. H, 14 in. D), and large (32 in. W, 24 in. H, 16 in. D).

Double-sided Fireplace

Double-sided fireplaces are suitable for heating multiple rooms. They are usually gas or electric and require less maintenance than a wood-burning fireplace. Standard dimensions are 52 in. W, 44 in. H, with a greater depth than standard.

Fireplace Installation Design

First, the fireplace enthusiast must decide on the placement of the fireplace according to room dimensions, aesthetics, heat distribution, and other practical considerations like the location of main structural elements, plumbing, or wiring in the walls. Even corner fireplaces are a possibility.

This is where it is wise to start working with a design or installation professional unless you have your heart set on a DIY project or are experienced with design and construction. Still, you can begin measuring for the fireplace on your own before you select your perfect fireplace.

Measuring for Fireplace Installation

You will need to record the height, width, and depth of an existing fireplace to shop for fireplace inserts, vintage fireplaces, mantels, and surrounds. Record each dimension at different points.

Height is the measurement from your fireplace hearth to the top of the opening. The width is from one side of the opening to the other. Depth is from the center opening to the back.

Recording the correct dimensions requires accurate measurement of the interior of the firebox. Not all cavities are square inside and maybe angled. Use a measuring tape and record the width and height at the fireplace opening, the rear, the lintel, and any angled sidewalls or different-sized areas within the firebox. Arched openings require dimensions from the highest and lowest points. Add â…› in. space of clearance if a lintel is present.

If you have chosen to install an insert, it should be airtight without having to be forced into the space using approved insulating materials.

Terms:

Firebox, Fireplace Opening, Cavity: Terms for the interior of the fireplace.

Fireplace Insert: A box used to replace the traditional fireplace (inserted).

Lintel: Iron rod that is placed from front to back across the ceiling of a fireplace opening to provide structural support. Sometimes exposed, sometimes not, it is often embedded in the cavity and must be accounted for when measuring the interior fireplace.

Depth: Distance from the face of the firebox to the back wall. Measured from the center.

Venting: Fireplace ventilation through a chimney, direct vent, or vent-free, depending on fuel.

Chimney Liner: Required in many cases in the venting.

Surround: Collective components of the mantel, legs, and hearth that compose the face around the firebox.

For assistance with your design, and selection, contact our experts at Olde Good Things.

 

How to Choose the Best Material for Your Fireplace Mantel

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If you are renovating your home, or just looking to add a mantel surround to frame your fireplace, you may have questions about which material will best suit your creative vision. Along with aesthetics, there are practical considerations to consider — like, how to care for and maintain the mantelpiece. How much time, expense and effort will I invest in preserving the beauty of the mantel?

Of course, if you have fallen in love with a certain piece or look, then you can work around the practical side. OGT has some tips on both choosing and maintaining the integrity of your mantelpiece:

1. WOOD

Wood as a mantelpiece material is subject to the same stains and damage from scratches and is even more sensitive to water and dampness.

Avoid leaving liquid drinks on the mantel if it has a flat surface to protect it from spills and rings.

The wood should be dusted or wiped with a cloth regularly, like any surface. Use Murphy’s Oil soap or other oil-based cleaning products to clean the wood, using small, soft objects like cotton swabs to clean small spaces and decorative elements.

There is a selection of natural wood finishes to choose from to keep your wood mantelpiece gleaming. Oil finishes are eco-friendly and non-toxic and can be used much as you would a lacquer to touch up a piece. Linseed, tung, and walnut oils are common wood finishes.

One other consideration with wood is to make sure exterminators check the backside and all surrounding areas of the mantel surround to keep it free from pests.

Depending on the style of your selection, a wood mantelpiece can add a rustic, industrial, or historic element to the room. This exquisite mantel salvaged from a NY mansion is one example.

Huge hand carved dark wood tone mantel from Rose Hill, the Tudor Mansion of American impresario Billy Rose.

2. MARBLE

Marble is a porous material, and therefore subject to absorbing various types of stains into the stone. The texture also makes marble vulnerable to damage from harsh abrasives or acids. Stains on marble may come from chimney smoke and soot, oils, adhesives, rust, or organic stains such as from spilled drinks.

The most delicate way to clean marble is to work your way up from a basic soap and water mixture. Dust first with a microfibre cloth. Combine a gentle dish soap with warm water and clean the marble with a soft-bristle brush. Anything with metal bristles or components can scratch the marble surface.

If stains or dirt remain, you can use varying degrees of ammonia diluted with water. Spill stains like coffee, tea, or wine can be treated with hydrogen peroxide and water mixture. For oil stains, which appear as a dark spot on the surface, use a liquid cleanser with bleach (carefully, because bleach can etch the stone), detergent, ammonia, mineral spirits, or acetone. For smoke, you can use commercial smoke removers or hire a professional cleaner. Rust stains should be treated immediately before they become permanent. You can buy a poultice or make one such as the recipe described here. You will want to protect your skin against the harsher chemicals and, of course, avoid mixing bleach and ammonia.

Use microfibre cloths to dry after cleaning. Marble mantels and surrounds should be polished with a standard marble polish to hold the sheen. If the fireplace is used regularly or just for the added protection, use a stone sealer as a preventative measure.

A marble mantelpiece is a striking addition to a home and offers an upscale or vintage flair to the room, like this 19th Century Petite Louis XV Rococo Marble Mantel rescued from the 17th floor of Waldorf Astoria NYC.

 

French Louis XV Rococo style gray and white marble mantel with the original matching hearth. This mantel was one of a group of antique mantels imported from Europe and installed in the Waldorf Astoria hotel in the 1930s when the hotel was first built on Park Avenue.

3. STONE

Like marble or wood, stone mantels should be dusted regularly. They can be cleaned much like marble, with mild detergent, warm water, and a soft brush. Gently scrub smoke and soot marks and rinse. Dry with a clean cloth.

If the mantel surround was sealed with a stone sealant, stains are easy to remove. A general purpose stain remover can be used on tougher stains. Muriatic acid is also used to remove stains on cast stone, with a solution of 25% percent acid and 75% water. You should protect both skin and eyes if using these chemical solvents. Again, it is a process of experimentation from the least heavy chemicals upwards.

Cast stone mantels do not require polish to maintain their beauty, and regular cleaning should be sufficient maintenance to preserve the look of your stone mantelpiece.

A stone mantel surround lends classic charm to any space, like this rescue from the M Suite, 15th floor, Waldorf Astoria NYC.

Louis XVI French Regency carved limestone mantel. This was imported for installation in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in the 1930s.

Which piece speaks to you will be the biggest determining factor in the mantel you select for your space. If you need help or suggestions or are looking for a specific style, reach out to one of our salvaged architecture consultants at Olde Good Things, and we may have just the right thing at one of our store locations or warehouses.

 

 

Exquisite Mantels Salvaged from the Art Deco Icon, Waldorf Astoria NYC

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When Olde Good Things was called to extract elements of the historic Art Deco style Waldorf Astoria New York City, we were able to salvage many fine pieces from the suites, ballrooms, and towers. One of the tenuous tasks of this project was the salvage of over 250 marble mantels, including a $40,000 inlaid marble mantel from the US Ambassadors Suite. The wooden and marble mantel collection features historic mantels carved in styles not limited to Georgian, Louis XVI, French Regency, and English Regency mantels.

French Regency Mantels

Room 1314 of this iconic hangout of the rich and famous provided OGT with an Antique 19th Century French Regency mantel imported from Europe. The mantel is original to the Park Avenue Waldorf Astoria, and it was installed during the 1930s when the hotel was built. This exquisite mantel features a dark gray marble with white veining. During the Regency period, there was a friendly war between French and English styles. French Regency pieces will show evidence of Empire style popular during the reign of Napoleon. All Regency styles were decorative, opulent, luxurious, and tended to the exotic.

View all the Waldorf Astoria French Regency Mantels

Waldorf Astoria Louis XVI Dark Gray Marble French Regency Mantel

 

Regency Mantels

This salvaged Waldorf Astoria green and white Regency marble mantel classicism inspired by ancient Greece and Egypt with edgy, simple lines, a style adopted during the opulent Art Deco era.

The Regency style was popular from 1811 to 1830. It was named for the Prince of Wales, who served as regent for King George III before he was crowned King George IV in 1820. Regency architectural elements were a mixture of Egyptian, Chinese, and Gothic motifs with neo-classical features. English Regency style incorporated Egyptian form and motif; this was directly related to the British navy’s victory over France at the Battle of the Nile.

View all the Waldorf Astoria Regency Mantels

Waldorf Astoria Green & White Regency Marble Mantel

 

Georgian Mantels

Another classic marble mantel was salvaged from the A Suite on the 31st floor — Herbert Hoover’s New York hideaway. This piece is Georgian white marble with Verde Antico insert, circa early 19th century, imported from Europe and original to the hotel.

The British Georgian style was the most popular style in English colonies through the 18th century. Georgian style can be identified by symmetrical lines and classic details.

View all Waldorf Astoria Georgian Mantels

Statuary White & Verde Antico Green Marble Mantel from The Herbert Hoover Room of The Waldorf Astoria

 

Louis XVI  Mantels

This limestone mantel was imported from France and was original to Room 27Y. This elegant style is one of our Louis XVI French Regency carved mantels. Louis XVI style dominated Europe from 1774 to 1793 prior to the French Revolution. It blended remainders of the Baroque period with neoclassicism.

View all Waldorf Astoria Louis XVI Mantels

Waldorf Astoria Louis XVI French Regency Limestone Mantel

Characteristic of Art Deco and Regency styles, this Louis XV French Rococo mantel is giddy with color and design. Regency style mixed exotic and lavish palettes of color in exuberant tones. This feature, paired with the aristocratic swirls, leaves, and cornucopias common to design, made for a perfect representation of the era. This mantel was imported from Europe in the 1930s and was original to Room H on the 17th floor.

Come select your mantel from the exquisite collection rescued during the refurbishment of the iconic Waldorf Astoria New York City. You can view the selection online.

 

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