One of the dilemmas was that there was the metal arch and summer cover grate - which were meant to fit into the opening - which was now closed and flat. The hard solution was to cut into the brick to make it fit - and the simple solution was to build the mantel so that it would project slightly to accommodate the arch and summer cover. Someone had done a great job doing a faux marble finish on the mantel - except that several paint coats prior to this the surface was nor prepped properly - so the layers underneath were lifting off. I realized that I would need to strip the entire thing - which would then allow patching and repairs, and the necessary faking in of the depth with a little extra wood - so then it would be prepped and painted the same color to hopefully appear that it has always been like this.
Has anyone done this ? What is the suggested way to attach the cast iron arch - then the summer cover ? The cover itself has a couple of holes where it looks like it could be attached with hooks - though I read online that it was often attached like a hanging picture with wire. The chances of the fireplace being converted to gas or woodburning are about 0.0005% due to the expense, extra insurance hassles and other more demanding priorities.
I did see an antique fireplace in a real estate listing that seemed to have been built out v.s. remaining flush with the wall as this one has originally seemed to have been.
Any wisdom or advice about the best way to manage and install this ? I watched a short video about installing a french cleat as a secure way to hang this. Here are a couple of pics to better explain the mantel in question. Apologies for the weird angles of the pics. It is on a couple of horses in the driveway - I am looking straight down in the first pic - plus a cat cameo, too.
- Beforemantel.jpg (61.12 KiB) Viewed 1167 times
- Onehourheatstrip.jpg (72.94 KiB) Viewed 1167 times
This is the reference pic:
- 6.E.Powell.Ave.270.jpg (27.83 KiB) Viewed 1167 times