A co-worker wanted a simple mantle above their Lopi insert.  The old mantle was warped twisted from the years of extreme heat.  This mantle top is a full 9/8" thick.  The bottom piece was placed at an angle to help deflect heat to help prevent premature warping or distortion of the wood.  I also used as much knot-free wood as possible to help prevent twisting or warping.  There is only one knot on the whole mantle, and that is on the front piece.  It was unavoidable since I have only a few pieces of that length and width (4 feet by 11 inches).