A reclaimed mantel is cut to order, so getting the size right starts with what you send us. Most customers send a photo of the fireplace and the width of the opening, and that is usually enough for us to recommend a size that looks right. Here is what to send, what to decide, and what happens after you order.
Step 1: Photograph and Measure the Fireplace
Start with the width of the fireplace opening. Then take a photo of the whole fireplace. A photo tells us more than measurements alone, because it shows the surround, the wall, and everything around where the mantel will go.
- Stand back far enough to get the whole fireplace and some of the wall around it in the frame
- Take the photo straight on rather than from an angle
- Include anything that will sit near the mantel, such as a TV mount, shelving, or a window
If you already know the length, height, and depth you want, send those too, and we will cut to them.
Step 2: Check the Clearance
How far a mantel has to sit above the firebox is not something we set. It comes from your local building code and from the manufacturer of your fireplace insert or stove. Check both before you settle on a height or mount anything.
Our mantels are kiln-dried and surface-washed, which kills anything living in the wood and brings the moisture content down.
Step 3: Choose Hand-Hewn or Rough Sawn
Hand-hewn mantels were shaped with an axe and an adze, so the face is uneven and the tool marks are deep. They read older and more rustic. Rough sawn mantels carry arcing circular saw marks on a flatter face and read cleaner. Our guide to hand-hewn vs rough sawn compares the two in more detail.
Step 4: In Stock or Cut From a Raw Beam
You can work from a mantel that is already in stock or have one cut from a raw beam in the yard. Both are priced by the foot with the finish included:
- In stock: $99 a foot
- Custom: $125 a foot
A five-foot in-stock mantel is $495, sanded, finished, and ready to hang. There is no design fee and no extra charge for staining or sealing. Custom does not have to mean a standard length, either. In 2026 we cut and delivered a 14-foot mantel to Saratoga Springs.
Step 5: Pick a Finish
- Natural
- Clear coat
- A custom stain matched to what you send us
Every finish is included in the price.
Step 6: Cutting, Finishing, and Delivery
We cut, sand, and finish the mantel at our yard in Hopewell Junction. Most orders are ready within two weeks. If you need one sooner, call and ask, because sometimes we can work around it.
When it is ready, pick it up at the yard or have it delivered. We deliver throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, and ship mantels nationwide, with the cost based on the size of the mantel and the distance. If you are in Westchester County, Connecticut, New York City, or on Long Island, those pages cover delivery and pickup in your area.
Once It Is Up
Dust it. If the finish dulls after a few years, a coat of paste wax brings it back. Keep household cleaners and anything with ammonia off the face.
Ready to Order?
Send the photo, the opening width, and anything you already know about size and finish through the contact form, or call (845) 232-8943, and we will price your mantel, usually the same business day. If you would rather pick the beam in person, the yard is open Tuesday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Saturday until noon, by appointment only.
