Mass Mantel Co. - The Essence of Massachusetts in Every Mantel
Welcome to Mass Mantel Co., an Exclusive Craft of Winwood Sawmill
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Live Edge Mantels: Nature's Art in Your Home
At Mass Mantel Co., we specialize in creating stunning live edge mantels from salvaged Massachusetts trees. Each piece embodies the unique story and character of its origins.
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Our Craft
Discover how we transform locally salvaged wood into durable, solid mantels. Our process ensures that each mantel is not just a fixture, but a centerpiece with a story.
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Sustainability and Local Pride
Committed to environmental stewardship, we proudly use Massachusetts-sourced wood, contributing to local sustainability and bringing a piece of Massachusetts nature into your home.
Explore our gallery to witness the unique beauty and natural charm of our live edge mantels, each telling its own story. Learn about our bespoke service, where we craft a mantel that resonates with your personal style and home's narrative. Each of our mantels has a history. We share the journey of our wood from tree to treasured centerpiece. Inspired to bring a piece of Massachusetts' natural beauty into your home? Reach out to begin crafting your unique live edge mantel.
Live Edge or Straight Edge Mantels
Winwood Sawmill offers top-quality Fireplace Mantels. We stock and custom produce Fireplace Mantels in a variety of species including Black Walnut, Cherry, Red Cedar, White Oak, Red Oak, Maple, Ambrosia Maple and others. Our Mantels are primarily 2" thick, depth and length are totally up to you.
We Custom cut Fireplace Mantels to the sizes you need.
The overwhelming majority of our clients request that their Mantels be cut to 2" in thickness. Live Edge Mantels are our most common sellers.
Special requests
Greater than 2" thick mantels are available on request. Want a particularly hard to find Native species? We likely have it.
Thicker Mantels - Freshly Cut
(4" and 6" Stock Sizes)
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For homeowners who want a bold, dramatic centerpiece, we now offer thick live-edge and straight-edge mantels in 4-inch and 6-inch solid stock. These oversized pieces bring the full character of Massachusetts hardwoods into your living space—heavy grain, natural movement, and the kind of presence only a real beam can deliver.
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Available Thicknesses
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4-inch mantels (stocked)
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6-inch mantels (stocked)
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Other thicknesses available upon request
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Aesthetic & Performance Notes
Thick mantels behave differently than standard 2" pieces. Because they hold more internal moisture, they naturally develop character checks, small cracks, and subtle movement as they dry. This is part of the authentic solid-beam look and a major reason designers and homeowners choose them.
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Finishing Guidance
We recommend using breathable oil finishes (such as tung oil, raw linseed oil, or Rubio) to allow the wood to dry slowly and safely over time.
Epoxy and heavy film finishes are not recommended on thick mantels due to moisture pressure inside the beam.
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Installation & Acclimation
For best results:
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Let the mantel acclimate indoors before installation
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Avoid finishing the beam until it begins drying down
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Expect natural movement—this is normal with solid beams
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Custom Sizing
Tell us the length, depth, and thickness you’re aiming for.
We can mill custom oversized beams in walnut, oak, cherry, maple, and other local hardwoods.
Thick Mantel FAQ
Do thick mantels crack?
Yes — small cracks and checks are normal in 4" and 6" solid beams. This is part of the natural drying process and is considered a feature of real solid wood, not a defect.
Are these mantels kiln-dried?
Most thick mantels are sold fresh-cut or partially dried, because beams over 3" take a long time to dry fully.
We will tell you the moisture status of the exact beam you’re buying.
Can I finish a thick mantel right away?
We recommend waiting before finishing. Thick beams need time to slowly release moisture.
When you’re ready, choose a breathable oil finish (tung, raw linseed, walnut, Rubio).
Avoid epoxies and heavy film finishes — they trap moisture and may cause cracks.
How should I store the mantel before installation?
Store it indoors in the space where it will be installed.
Avoid basements, garages, or direct sunlight.
Allow it to acclimate gradually to indoor humidity.
Will the beam warp or twist?
Some amount of movement is normal. We select material carefully to reduce twisting, but all thick slabs have internal tension.
Movement does not affect performance when installed with proper brackets.
What sizes do you stock?
We stock 4-inch and 6-inch thick mantels in a variety of hardwood species.
Other thicknesses can be milled on request.
Can you cut the mantel to my exact length and depth?
Yes.
Length, depth, and edge style (straight or live edge) are fully customizable.
What species are available?
Common options include:
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Black Walnut
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White Oak
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Red Oak
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Cherry
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Maple
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Ambrosia Maple
Other species are available depending on current inventory.
How heavy are thick mantels?
A 4" or 6" beam is very dense and requires secure installation hardware.
We can recommend bracket styles appropriate for your mantel size.
How long until the mantel fully stabilizes?
A 4" mantel may take several months to settle.
A 6" mantel may take longer.
This slow seasoning is normal and does not affect use or appearance.
Can these mantels be used above gas or wood fireplaces?
Yes — but clearances must meet manufacturer and building-code requirements. Always follow your fireplace manual.
Do I need to worry about insects or bugs?
No. Our wood is processed cleanly and stored indoors.
Any surface insect activity from the original log is removed during milling.
How do I request a custom thickness or oversized beam?
Send us your ideal length × depth × thickness, and we’ll confirm availability and pricing.
We mill everything in-house.
