Amp up the appeal of an ordinary fireplace in a typical track home living room with a stylish new mantel and add character to the room. At a home center or lumberyard, you’ll find an array of mantel styles and elements sold as components or kits. Kits typically include a shelf, surround and the pilasters that decorate the surround, and they are designed with do-it-yourselfers in mind. You’ll find several sources online, such as www.mantelcraft.com.
A carpenter will install a moderately priced unfinished hardwood mantel and surround for $1,567, which includes the material and labor. A handy homeowner with some carpentry tools and experience can buy the components and install them for $750 and pocket a 52 percent saving.
