Fireplace Mantel

[beaver]

Hi Guys
I have just had a new brick fireplace built in an olde world/inglenook style and intend to put a hardwood mantle across the top of it, it will only be a couple of inches thick, can anyone suggest a suitable species that wont moved to much given the heat that will rise.
Regards to all

 

[jordec66]

The key is to make sure that the hardwood you use has a very low moisture content when you fit it. I have a log burner with an 8"
oak lintel above , when I first fitted , it was about 9" thick green oak , the shrinkage was a lot more than I had expected. The oak beam
has now stabilised and looks great , it is a very suitable species for this purpose.

 

[beaver]

Thanks for the reply, green oak was my first thought, so you have just confirm it. green oak it is.