Can I use a reclaimed barn beam as a fireplace mantel?
Yes — and in Arden the barn beam usually rides along with a bigger upgrade: converting a tired open masonry fireplace in Royal Pines or Skyland into a sealed insert. That matters for one reason — the beam's clearance follows the new insert, not the old drafty firebox. Natural gas serves the area; the timber has to be sound and dry.
The upgrade behind the beam
Arden's 1980s–90s homes in Royal Pines and Skyland are full of open masonry fireplaces that pull heat out of the room. Dropping in a sealed gas insert turns them into real heaters, and a reclaimed beam is the visible half of that makeover — the part guests actually notice.
On natural-gas mains, the insert is usually a sealed direct-vent unit.
Why the clearance number changes
Here's the part homeowners miss: once you install an insert, the mantel clearance is dictated by that appliance's chart, not the old firebox's proportions. A beam that looked fine over the open hearth may need to sit higher — or can sometimes sit lower — over the new insert. We work from the manufacturer's numbers so it's both right and safe.
Permitted and mounted
Insert and gas work means a Buncombe County permit and inspection; the beam is cleared of pests and hardware, acclimated, and anchored into structure. Call (828) 545-0525; Arden is 15 minutes south of the Emma Rd showroom.
Fireplace help in Arden
We install and service fireplaces throughout Arden and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes south from our Asheville-area showroom.