A floating mantel is a long piece of wood, stone, metal, glass, or concrete installed onto the wall over a wood-burning or gas fireplace. Unlike traditional mantels and shelving, floating mantels lack visible means of support and are attached to the wall with a cleat or bracket that’s hidden from view. Essentially, a floating mantel is similar to a floating shelf over a fireplace but typically more substantial in size.
Floating mantels offer a modern, sleek look to living spaces, and homeowners who want to update their fireplaces without doing a major renovation can get a whole new look by installing a floating mantel.