| Gothic Architecture - The gothic style is typically | | | | choices with cast stone because the cement is dyed. |
| skeletal-looking with stone structures and large | | | | The biggest advantage of using cast stone is that it |
| stretches of glass, piercing arches, bunches of columns | | | | can be made to look like more expensive stone, like |
| grouped together and inventive details like gargoyles. | | | | granite or marble without the big price tag. It can have |
| Rococo Architecture - Rococo architectural style is | | | | a poor resistance to water, which is the biggest |
| very dainty and highly ornate. It often includes ribbon | | | | drawback. |
| and floral patterns. This is a style that started in | | | | Wood - With endless color options and relatively |
| France. | | | | simple change of color, a wood mantel is a great |
| Renaissance Architecture - A much cleaner, simpler | | | | choice if you plan on redecorating every so often. You |
| design option is the renaissance architecture style. | | | | can refinish it to show off the natural grain or paint it |
| There are usually fewer ornaments in this style with | | | | with colors that go with your new motif. Oak, Walnut |
| more straight lines. Renaissance also included the | | | | and Cherry woods were typical wood types used for |
| introduction of leaves, vines and plant patterns. | | | | mantel building. The disadvantages of wood include |
| Romanesque Architecture - Romanesque style is | | | | being vulnerable to home fire and water or humidity |
| characterized round or slightly pointed arches, piers | | | | damage. |
| supporting vaults, and groin vaults. Romanesque refers | | | | Carved Stone - Carved stone mantels bring a history |
| to of Roman origin. | | | | with them since each antique mantle of this type has |
| Though some styles are more suited to certain | | | | been carved by hand. While these can be hard to find, |
| materials, you can usually find the combination of style | | | | because of their limited number, they can be a |
| and material you like by searching. Material choices | | | | wonderful addition to a room. The high cost and rarity |
| include: | | | | of carved stone mantels are the biggest obstacles. |
| Marble - The benefits of using marble for your mantle | | | | There are many places to look for antique mantels. If |
| includes color variety, very easy to maintain, doesn't | | | | you live in an old town, let your fingers do the walking |
| scratch or damage easily and since it is unlikely to be | | | | in your phone book for "architectural salvage". You can |
| permanently damaged in a fire, you may be able to | | | | also run an online search for the same along with the |
| find true antique fireplace mantels rather than a | | | | style and material you are looking for. |
| reproduction. Some of the disadvantages include the | | | | Whether you choose a gothic mantel made of carved |
| inability to change the color when you redecorate, the | | | | stone, a marble Romanesque mantle or any other |
| limitation of colors since it's a natural material and the | | | | combination, you should have it installed by a trained |
| high expense. | | | | professional to make sure it lasts for decades or even |
| Cast Stone - Cast stone is actually molded cement of | | | | centuries. |
| one kind or another. You have a wider variety of color | | | | |