First off, it came MUCH faster than stated. Secondly, it's a well-constructed, solid piece. Like others here, we purchased to act as a heat barrier between FP and flat screen TV 27" above. We initially added a hood, but the underside of TV was very hot within a couple of minutes. This seems to have solved the issue, as the end of the mantel still got too hot to touch, but the back 6" and underside of TV were room-temp. We also laid some batt insulation in between the mantel support ribs, and I'm sure that that is helping.