Our house had a white brick fireplace that back-drafted badly. It was flanked by a radiator on one side. I built a wall to wall mantle with a radiator cover on one side and a bookcase on the other side of the fireplace consistent with the style of our home, built in 1919. A gas fireplace insert took care of the back-drafting problem. The mantle was built with maple and finished in a cherry stain.
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story

From scrapers to power strippers and infrared lamps, there are several methods for removing stubborn paint, each with different costs, time requirements, and health-safety considerations.
Discussion Forum
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
- Home Group
- Antique Trader
- Arts & Crafts Homes
- Bank Note Reporter
- Cabin Life
- Cuisine at Home
- Fine Gardening
- Fine Woodworking
- Green Building Advisor
- Garden Gate
- Horticulture
- Keep Craft Alive
- Log Home Living
- Military Trader/Vehicles
- Numismatic News
- Numismaster
- Old Cars Weekly
- Old House Journal
- Period Homes
- Popular Woodworking
- Script
- ShopNotes
- Sports Collectors Digest
- Threads
- Timber Home Living
- Traditional Building
- Woodsmith
- World Coin News
- Writer's Digest