About Dees Mantels
From the first time I watched a log being cut, I was hooked. There’s something special about revealing the natural character hidden inside each piece of wood—no two are ever the same.
That passion led me to purchase a sawmill and begin crafting pieces myself, learning every step from cutting and drying to shaping and finishing. Over time, my focus has narrowed to what I enjoy most: creating distinctive fireplace mantels.
Each mantel I produce—whether live-edge or smooth—is chosen and crafted for its unique grain, character, and presence. My goal isn’t volume, but to offer one-of-a-kind mantels that bring warmth and a natural focal point into your home, all at a fair and reasonable price.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
These are some of the things we get asked regularly...
We are by appointment only. Please call 865-556-0096 to set up a time to come by.
Drying wood correctly is dependent on lots of factors: thickness, length, species of wood, present moisture content, etc. Most species of wood can go into the kiln when it’s at 25% moisture content (or less). Wood that is sufficiently air dried can typically dry in a 1-week cycle in our kiln. We suggest air drying most species of 4/4 wood for at least 8 weeks, and 8/4 lumber for 6-8 months, before putting it into the kiln drying. It’s best to call for a quote.
No. Logs that have been sitting for years still have a high moisture content. For perspective, we air dry 4-6″ hardwood mantles for 18 months (or longer) before they go into the kiln.
We can flatten up to 12′ long and 54″ slabs or tops. Our double-headed planer can plane up to 30″ wide. Please call for a quote.
Yes, we do! We can skip plane or finish plane your lumber for you and save you lots of time and effort in the process.