A quality fireplace mantel can be a focal point in your living room, so choosing the best material for the mantel and ensuring it is installed correctly is crucial. Different materials are prominent in home designs like modern or farmhouse styles, and your fireplace mantel should match. Depending on the design style of your home, there are more appropriate colors or materials for fireplace mantels. Just like with any home design trend, your own personal style should still shine through. 

Rasmussen Custom Cabinetry can craft mantels out of many types of wood. We also offer stains and paint that can transform the look of wood into something that is unique for your home. Wood fireplace mantels are becoming more popular in modern homes, so jumping on the trend now will help elevate the look of your home. 

1- Reclaimed Wood

The most popular option for fireplace mantels is wood. There are multiple options that look well for fireplace mantels, including recycled or reclaimed wood. The only difference between reclaimed wood and other wood is that it is more sustainable. Because reclaimed wood is used more than once, it could be less durable, but it is usually just as stable and stunning as newly cut wood. 

Reclaimed wood can come from any wood species. Pine, oak, alder, and other wood types may end up in a reclaimed wood manufacturer stock that you can use and reshape to fit your mantel design. 

2- Alder (Softwood)

If you are looking for freshly cut wood, one popular option with a variety of colors is alder. Alder has a similar grain pattern to oak and both of these wood types are durable. Alder is lightweight but has low bending strength which makes it a great option for home projects, furniture, and more. 

Alder wood is affordable and sustainable because it has an abundant supply. It is appealing for home projects because it looks clean in multiple home design styles. 

3- Poplar (Hardwood)

The species Poplar is even more common for fireplace mantels than Alder. If your home or business design is rustic, Poplar is the best option. Softwoods are easy to carve, sand, and stain to help create a beautiful and unique look for any homeowner. The straight grain and uniform texture are characteristics that make it one of the most popular and affordable options. Many people add stains to change the color of Poplar because of the clean grain. 

Craftsmen enjoy working with Poplar wood when creating decorative moldings or trim. If you enjoy intricate work on a fireplace mantel, choosing Poplar will make it easy to create and save you on labor costs. 

4- Stone

One of the most durable materials for fireplace mantels is any type of stone. They help you achieve a timeless look that is not susceptible to cracking or rotting. Limestone, marble, and cast stone have all been used for residential fireplace mantels. Stone can be carved and molded to fit the type of design you wish to create. While it may not be as moldable as wood, stone comes in many color variations, has unique designs, and is durable against the heat of a fire. 

Stone works well with home designs that are modern or traditional. Modern designs like the smooth and gray look of limestone or marble. Traditional homes can mimic a wood-like texture, or use a stone like marble to bring in a more natural color like brown, red, or yellow. 

5- Stainless Steel

A very modern option is stainless steel or other metals. These mantels can be powdered to be colors like black, gold, red, copper, silver, navy, etc. Many people who choose stainless steel want the shiny finish to shine through their home, so they leave the natural color and finish on the mantel. 

Stainless steel mantels can have added fake details like metal straps, iron bands, “painted” sections, or a contrast-colored trim. The downside to stainless steel fireplace mantels is that they are one of the most expensive options. Having a luxurious feel comes with a fairly high price tag. 

Our Priorities Here At Rasmussen

Our goal at Rasmussen Custom Cabinetry is to provide top-of-the-line products at an affordable price. Our designers, consultants, installers, and staff all work together to make sure your home looks unique. Our team has many years of experience crafting cabinets, fireplace mantels, and built-in shelving, so you can have peace of mind about the durability of your wood storage options. 
Jump on the trend of natural wood throughout a home by working with our cabinet experts and include cabinets in your kitchen, living room, bathroom, and more!

Kitchen cabinets are susceptible to lots of different temperatures and humidity levels. Because these cabinets are used consistently and exposed to steam, heat, cold, and water, you need to protect them from humidity damage. 

There are tools and practices that homeowners can implement to protect cabinets from humidity. Rasmussen Custom Cabinetry offers cabinet care resources on our website and has information below about maintaining humidity levels. It is best to keep humidity levels in your home around 30-50%. 

How Humidity Affects Your Cabinets

If your cabinets are made of wood or some kind of wood substance, excess moisture can lead to warping and damage to your cabinet’s structural integrity. Wood can also expand with too much moisture which can lead to peeling paint, damage to your walls, or water stains on the cabinets. 

If you start to notice any of these things, the best place to start is by identifying the source of the moisture. It may be from multiple sources as well. The cabinets in all parts of your home can be protected from humidity with some additives to your home. 

Common Sources Of Moisture In The Kitchen

Your kitchen is used for cooking, hosting, family chats, and washing dishes. This means that there are multiple areas that can contribute to the moisture inside the kitchen. Some of these common sources of moisture can include:

• Steam from cooking on the stove
• Warmer or humid climates
• Kitchens near laundry rooms or washers and dryers
• Refrigerators
• Sinks or dishwashers
• Water tracked in from outside

Make Sure You Have Good AirFlow

The easiest way to control humidity is to have great airflow throughout the home. A proper AC system, fans, or dehumidification system can help limit moisture buildup and mold in your kitchen cabinets. Airflow is important for all homes, no matter where you live or what cabinets you have. Keeping humidity at a normal level will protect your home and make it feel more comfortable. 

Tools For Controlling The Humidity Level In Your Home

A thermostat with humidity control can help you monitor the humidity in your home. These thermostats can help you better control the temperature and humidity throughout the whole home. 

Bathrooms and kitchens are often built with vent fans that can help control moisture in the air. Taking showers, steaming vegetables, or other high-humidity activities can lead to wood warping and deterioration. Utilize the vent fan to keep moisture at a normal level and avoid mold growth. 

The best way to keep humidity out of your home is to install a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers can be installed to protect the whole home or just certain areas like the kitchen or bathroom. After installing a dehumidifier, you will also need to monitor that the air doesn’t become too dry. 

Baking Soda

If you have humidity damage to your cabinets, sprinkling baking soda on your cabinets can help suck up some of the moisture. It also eliminates odors as well, so even just having an open box inside the cabinets can help improve your home. Once you open a box you will need to change it out every few months. 

Clean Up Spills Promptly

If you notice water or other liquids inside your cabinets, the best way to prevent too much damage and save the rest of your cabinets is to clean them up ASAP. Soaking up as much moisture from the cabinets as possible will prevent the liquid from spreading farther into the wood and surrounding cabinets. 

More Tips On Cabinet Care From Rasmussen

Cleaning your cabinets frequently can help prevent a build-up of any kind and keep them durable. Humidity can weaken the structure of your entire cabinets and lead to you having to replace them. 

Rasmussen Custom Cabinetry has gathered some tips to avoid cabinet disasters such as avoiding sticky notes attached to the cabinets, keeping moisture to a minimum, and avoiding using cleaners with ammonia, bleach, or abrasives. 

Humidity can be a tricky thing to balance in your home, but it is worth it to keep your cabinets in pristine condition. Keeping your cabinets durable will ensure that your home functions without any setbacks.