Can I use a reclaimed barn beam as a fireplace mantel?
Yes — and in Canton a reclaimed barn beam can carry real meaning, since so many hearths here were rebuilt after the Pigeon River flooding. Timber salvaged from the same valley's old barns puts local history back on the wall. Flood-exposed wood has to be checked hard for rot and moisture, and the beam set at the unit's clearance.
Local timber, local history
Canton is a Pigeon River valley mill town that's been rebuilding water-damaged hearths and gas appliances. Reclaimed oak and chestnut from barns around Bethel and the Pigeon River Valley let a rebuilt home hold onto a piece of the valley's past — the most fitting mantel we can install in a town putting itself back together.
Wet-country wood gets extra scrutiny
Valley-floor fog and dampness here rust dampers and chimney caps earlier than folks expect, and that same moisture hides inside reclaimed timber — especially anything that saw floodwater. We inspect for rot, wood-boring insects, and hidden moisture.
Then we acclimate the beam to a heated room before it goes up, so it doesn't move or crack once the house warms through winter.
Gas connections inspected, beam to spec
Where flooding touched gas appliances, we inspect and pressure-test the connections and pull the Haywood County permit — then set the beam to the manufacturer's clearance-to-combustibles. Call (828) 545-0525; we're 20 minutes west of the Asheville showroom.
Fireplace help in Canton
We install and service fireplaces throughout Canton and the rest of Haywood County — just 20 minutes west from our Asheville-area showroom.