Design Details for Your Concrete Mantle

Move over river rock and barn wood, concrete has arrived on the scene and is ready to take its rightful place surrounding your fireplace. If you’re looking for design inspiration for this particular corner of your home, you really should consider this type of design utilizing this often overlooked building material. Read about just a few reasons that a concrete mantle belongs in your future living space. 

What is a concrete mantle made from?

Concrete is a building material used in the construction of many parts of your home. It’s created by mixing pulverized aggregates like rock and sand, with liquid, to form a paste that binds materials together or that creates a hard surface. You might not have known it could be used to create a concrete mantle, too. But it can.  

Concrete can be used in all parts of your fireplace

Concrete can be used to build the hearth of your fireplace and is a great material for this purpose because it’s resistant to fire. It can also be used to create a sleek surround, and even formed to fashion a mantle that will crown the space. These pieces, for the most part, are cast in place. But the final finished look comes down entirely to your style preferences since the material is so versatile and easy to work with.  

What if you don’t want a gray concrete mantle?

In the event that gray doesn’t necessarily fit in with your design aesthetic, have no fear. Concrete is such a versatile material that you can have almost any color you want. Many designers suggest sticking to Earth tones for the final product, but experienced builders can create as many as 150 different pigments.  

Deciding on the finish

Another choice you’ll have to make is what kind of finish you’ll want on the mantle. The options range from rouch, to polished smooth, or even a design stamped into the surface if you’d rather. An experienced craftsman can explain all the options on finish to you so that you can be sure you’re choosing the perfect one for your space.