Mount floating oak beam mantelpiece

finnyob

We're thinking about getting a solid oak beam to mount on the chimney breast in our living room as we had the original marble fireplace removed last year and left the space bare.

I'm not entirely certain of what kind of blockwork the chimney breast is, but given the fact that its a 70s build and the exterior walls are all 9 inch cavity blocks, I'd imagine the chimney is the same.

Looking for advice from the professionals as to how you would go about mounting the beam. One builder has said along the lines of chisel out a recess, install the beam and cement it in place, is that the right way to go?

MicktheMan

How about something like these. We used them a few years ago and can't complain.

whizbang

Blocks around the fireplace will be 4" solid, except there may be a precast slab directly above opening. Try to mount above this as it will be difficult to drill.

I Used 3x long csunk screws into a large split pin; about the diameter of the head of the screw. Same size holes in the wood. To make it tighter, just tighten the screws; it expands the split pin and will grip the wood

tighter.

Lumen

FireplaceBeamFixingKitInsertCardPDF.pdf

However, the cavity blocks might be an issue.

You could always glue it on (e.g. epoxy). That amount of surface area would make the bond incredibly strong.

This is not professional advice.

Whatwicklow

Drill a set of holes, blow them clear of dust, pump in a 2 pac chemical anchor, push in cuts of high tensile threaded bar, wait to cure.

Drill corosponding holes in the timber, offer up, adjust as necessary. When happy with the fit, pump more chemical anchor into the wood and fit.

Bobs your uncle.

*conditional on solid blockwork

bfclancy2

I used these for exact same purpose, worked perfectly

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07V9FS4NN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

SteelyDanJalapeno

F*CK chiseling out a recess anyway, builder wants you busy over the winter

Would leave a nice mess too.

Anchors or a french cleat

finnyob

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119947376#Comment_119947376

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119973513#Comment_119973513

Did this with eight no. 10M 195mm threaded bars, 16M 125mm resin sleeves and two 300ml tubes of rawlplug r-kem II polyester resin. Absolutely amazing job. Probably overkill with the 8 anchors but theres every chance kids will be swinging off it.

Thanks for the advice lads.

Whatwicklow

Glad it worked out👍

Packrat

Whatwicklow gave good advice, only provisio is that you don't need chemical anchor in the wood side. (The beam will shrink and make the bar dog tight inside) Fit the wood side of the threaded bar first and be sure to drill the holes straight and get your measurements right to the mm.

4 bars is plenty.

A bit of gripfill or Tech7 behind the oak beam for the win.

I've done many of these including limestone weighing 150kg like this.