A mantel for placement above and/or around a fireplace, the mantel comprising: a skeletal bar frame comprising: a top frame portion and a bottom portion, each of the top frame portion and bottom frame portion having a pair of long bar members and a pair of short bar members, the short bar members connected between the long bar members at opposing ends of the long bar members; at least two end connector bars connected between the top frame portion and bottom frame portion to form the skeletal bar frame defining a three dimensional rectangle; a first board portion and a second board portion fastened to a respective exterior side of the top and bottom portions; a first end board portion and a second end portion board fastened to the end connector bars at respective opposing ends; a front board portion attached between a front side of the skeletal bar frame between the top and bottom frame portions and the respective end connector bars; the top and bottom portions and end connector bars defining a hollow cavity with an open side disposed opposite the front board portion; characterised by: the open side having at least one tab members for engaging a mounting strip; wherein the mounting strip is attachable to a flat vertical surface for supporting the mantel; and wherein the respective first and second board portions (24, 26) and first and second end board portions comprise a noncombustible lightweight low-density material, wherein the lightweight low-density material has a density in a range of 53 grams per cubic metre (1.5 grams per cubic foot) to 124 grams per cubic metre (3.5 grams per cubic foot). a skeletal bar frame comprising: a top frame portion and a bottom portion, each of the top frame portion and bottom frame portion having a pair of long bar members and a pair of short bar members, the short bar members connected between the long bar members at opposing ends of the long bar members; at least two end connector bars connected between the top frame portion and bottom frame portion to form the skeletal bar frame defining a three dimensional rectangle; a top frame portion and a bottom portion, each of the top frame portion and bottom frame portion having a pair of long bar members and a pair of short bar members, the short bar members connected between the long bar members at opposing ends of the long bar members; at least two end connector bars connected between the top frame portion and bottom frame portion to form the skeletal bar frame defining a three dimensional rectangle; a first board portion and a second board portion fastened to a respective exterior side of the top and bottom portions; a first end board portion and a second end portion board fastened to the end connector bars at respective opposing ends; a front board portion attached between a front side of the skeletal bar frame between the top and bottom frame portions and the respective end connector bars; the top and bottom portions and end connector bars defining a hollow cavity with an open side disposed opposite the front board portion; characterised by: the open side having at least one tab members for engaging a mounting strip; wherein the mounting strip is attachable to a flat vertical surface for supporting the mantel; and wherein the respective first and second board portions (24, 26) and first and second end board portions comprise a noncombustible lightweight low-density material, wherein the lightweight low-density material has a density in a range of 53 grams per cubic metre (1.5 grams per cubic foot) to 124 grams per cubic metre (3.5 grams per cubic foot). the open side having at least one tab members for engaging a mounting strip; wherein the mounting strip is attachable to a flat vertical surface for supporting the mantel; and wherein the respective first and second board portions (24, 26) and first and second end board portions comprise a noncombustible lightweight low-density material, wherein the lightweight low-density material has a density in a range of 53 grams per cubic metre (1.5 grams per cubic foot) to 124 grams per cubic metre (3.5 grams per cubic foot).