Fireplace Mantel is a decorative element that increases the beauty of your room. Besides, it also helps to cover the joint between the fireplace and the rest of the wall. In return, the fireplace mantel protects the wall from being stained. 

Therefore, the mantelpiece or chimneypiece also holds the heat to keep your room warm and provides comfort. On top of that, it protects the tv you place on the fireplace from the excessive heat that comes from the firebox. 

You can enjoy all these benefits as long as your mantel remains in its shape and the frame of it stays in good condition. Over time, the heat from the fireplace damages the mantel’s finish and its frame. As a result, it starts losing its protection capacity. 

However, learning why your fireplace mantel getting hot and maintaining it regularly can protect it from regular wear & tear. Now, you may ask- how to protect fireplace mantel from heat and maintain it for increasing its shielding ability?

In this guide, we break down everything that keeps your mantelpiece protected from the flame of the fireplace. So, let’s jump into this fireplace mantel maintenance guide for your fireplace safety. 

How to Protect Fireplace Mantel from Heat?  4 Simple Ways

In this chapter, we let you know how to shield the mantelpiece against heat. Without further ado, let’s explore the 4 simple hacks. 

Use a Mantel Protector Heat Shield

The best way to protect your mantelpiece is by installing a mantel protector heat shield. It prevents your mantle from getting extremely hot and the discoloration of it from the heat. 

A mantel heat shield helps to protect your chimneypiece from the heat produced by gas inserts, gas logs, and wood stove inserts. You need to be careful when purchasing a mantel heat shield. Make sure it is constructed by maintaining the local and national codes. 

Secondly, choose a mantelpiece protector that comes with every mounting hardware like a floating mantel bracket & screws, and an installation guide. Ensure you can cut the mantel shield according to the size of the fireplace. 

Finally, choose a chimneypiece protector with a black or white finish. Such a kind of mantel protector will match every home decor. 

Install a Heat Deflector

Installing a heat deflector is another best way to protect the existing fireplace mantels from heat.. 

Get a deflector that is painted with white or matches the mantelpiece color. Next, attach the deflector between the fireplace and the mantel. Then, bent it at 45-degree. In this way, the heat deflector deflects the heat from the mantel and protects it. 

When purchasing one, make sure it is made of metal like steel. And the best part of installing a deflector is- anyone can barely notice it. It protects your mantelpiece from heat invisibly. 

Use a Metal Hood

A fireplace hood is another piece of equipment you can invest in it. Unlike a deflector, you can find the hood easily. Like a deflector, it also deflects heat and shields your mantelpiece. We recommend you get a little bit of extended hood. Installing an extended hood is the best way to get more heat from gas fireplace.

You can extend some of them from 28 to 48 inches. And surprisingly, you can attach the hood to the firebox or above the brick. But we suggest you put it together to the firebox as you don’t need to drill into the brick. 

The benefit of installing the hood over the fireplace is- it doesn’t only shield your mantel against direct heat but also extends the mantelpiece life. 

And the best part is you don’t need to burn wood and straw to get the hood. 

Use Heat Resistant Mantel

Why don’t you use a mantel that can protect itself from the fireplace heat? Yes, we are talking about the heat-resistant mantel. Such a kind mantelpiece can deflect or absorb the heat and keep itself safe. Non-combustible materials like concrete can take the heat. 

But the thing is- you need to spend a lot of bucks to get a non-combustible mantel. However, it will save you money in the long run.

Fireplace Mantel Maintenance Guide and Tips

From this chapter, you can learn how to maintain your mantel to give it an extended life. Here we go. 

• If a mantelpiece uses stone as its construction material, wash it regularly to shield against the stain. 
• Use a soft scrubber to wipe down the mantel to keep it neat & clean. Never use a wire scrubbing brush as it will damage the finish of the stone mantel.
• Seal the wooden mantel
  properly from the adverse environment. 
• Never keep the coffee cup or wine glasses on the wooden mantel as they leave a small ring on it.
• Paint the wooden mantel to protect it from the heat and polish it regularly to keep it shiny for a long time.