By Rob Robillard Sage advice from a seasoned carpenter. In the finish carpentry world, fireplace mantels are often the aesthetic showpiece of a room. People use mantels to display family photos, ...

correctionAn earlier version of this article incorrectly identified the National Fire Protection Association as the National Fire Protection Agency. The article has been corrected. It’s that time of ...

Fireplaces are indisputably cozy. They evoke fresh snow and hot cocoa, winter weekends holed up in rustic cabins, favorite stews simmering on the stove. While installing a real, wood-burning one ...