Hanging mantle on brick face I have a 50’s style red brick fireplace. See included image. I have been requested to hang a mantle. Mantle will sit on 2 solid corbels. I was imagining some threaded rod anchors. Another guy suggested angle iron ancored via inserts. And I’m sure there is a couple hundred other ways to do it. My question is this. Is it better to drill through the brick or mortar? Is there a danger the brick may crack or break… anybody have an words of wisdom on this subject?
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Replies
You mention solid corbels, what is the span and what is the mantle material? How much weight do you anticipate at the mid-point of the span? Ok - enough of my engineer mind.
Brick is a ceramic material so expansion anchors will NOT work. I would use masonry inserts with all thread rod, washer and nut on the mantle side. You are just trying to prevent the front edge from tipping and placing momentos, in pieces, on the hearth.
drill and screw into the mortar joints with tapcons. the mantle is only going to "hang", not neccesarily "pull".