Installation Guide
Mounting Your Firelight™ Shelf Mantel
Contents of Box: 1 Shelf Mantel, 2 Wood Cleats (18” each), pre-drilled,
Hardware Bag, Instructional DVD
You will need: Level, Phillips head screw driver, drill with 3/32” bit, nail set,
hammer, Stud sensor, tape measure, 2” finishing nails, wood filler.
Mounting Your Shelf Mantel
Finish your shelf mantel prior to mounting. Finishing tips are listed below.
• Hold the shelf up to the wall where you would like it mounted. Using a level on the shelf to make sure it is
straight, outline the top of the shelf in pencil on the wall. Working from the middle toward either end of the
shelf, find and mark the studs inside the wall. The wood cleats must be mounted to the studs. See Diagram A.
• The wood cleats have pre-drilled holes 16” apart to match standard stud distance. The cleats should be installed
so the weight of the shelf is as evenly distributed as possible (i.e. one cleat toward each end of the shelf).
Diagram A shows proper placement, although this may vary somewhat depending upon where your studs are
located.
• Starting in the middle of the shelf outline, find the first stud to the left. With the top of the Cleat Template
(included with instructions) lined up with the shelf outline, place one Cleat Screw Hole over that stud with the
remainder of the template extending to the left end of the shelf as shown in Diagram B. Punch through both
Cleat Screw Hole marks on the Cleat Template with a nail punch or equivalent tool. Repeat this process
starting with the first stud to the right of the shelf center. Diagram C shows how cleats should be installed.
Using the hardware provided and the pre-drilled holes, screw one cleat into the left pair of studs, the second
cleat in to the right pair of studs. NOTE: If Cleat template is missing, the distance apart, center-to-center, of
the Cleat Screw Holes is 16” and the distance down from the shelf line to the center of the Cleat Screw Hole is
1-9/16”.
• To mount the shelf, lift it to the wall above the cleats, and then let it rest down onto the cleats. To secure, use
the drill with 3/32” bit and pre-drill holes through the top of the shelf above the cleats. Use 6d nails to nail
through the holes and into the cleats. Counter-sink the nails. Fill the holes with wood putty and touch up the
finish.
Finishing Tips
When using paints, stains, varnishes and sealers, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Finishing your mantel and accessories is easy! All the Firelight™ Mantel kits are made of highest quality stain
grade wood. Following a few simple suggestions can help you achieve beautiful results with either paint or stain.
• Painting is the simplest method of finishing. Simply use a latex primer and one or more coats of alkyd or latex
trim paint. Consider trying faux finishes such as marbleizing for a truly unique effect.
• Staining is another attractive and popular finishing method. Always start with a filler/sealer to ensure
that the stain is uniformly absorbed. Test the stain on the inside of the mantel to ensure the right shade.
After achieving the color you desire, top with a coat of clear varnish.
For more information on our other Firelight™ Mantel components, visit our website at…..
www.ornamental.com