Fireplace Hearths

We can supply hearths in a variety of styles for gas or solid fuel use.

A fireplace hearth is a fire-resistant area placed around a fire. It is important when ordering a fireplace and hearth to know what type of appliance is going to be used. A hearth material and construction suitable for a gas fire may not be suitable for a solid fuel fire

We can supply hearths in a variety of styles and materials for gas or solid fuel use. If your fireplace is purely for decorative use then you can have any kind of hearth you like.

What Hearth Shapes are Available?

Flat Backs

Flat back Hearths are for use when the fireplace opening is level or just in front of the brickwork of the chimney.

Kicks

Kicks or tongues accomodate fireplaces openings that step back behind the wall line of the chimney breast.

Back Hearths

A back hearth is an outsized kick for where the chimney breast has been opened up to take a stove of firebasket. They can be attached to the front hearth or be a separate piece depending on the size and shape.

Cut Outs

A cut out is required when the fireplace system is fixed in the floor and is forward of the chimney e.g. Baxi Burnall underfloor and similar systems.

Boxed and Lipped

Boxed and lipped is the standard format for slate, limestone and marble hearths. The top of the hearth overhangs by 0.5 inches (1cm) at the front and either side.

Boxed Flush

Boxed flush slate, limestone and marble hearths have the vertical returns of the hearth are the same size as the top piece (this costs £10 more than the boxed and lipped price).

Fireplace Hearth Sizes

There are strict regulations governing the size of a fireplace hearth.

Floor Level Gas Fires

With living flame gas fires, the hearth needs to ensure that it is difficult for someone to lay a carpet right up to the fire.

To this end the regulations (bs5871) insist upon either a 50mm (2 inch) raised hearth or fixed fender.

The depth and width of the hearth or fender can vary with each particular gas fire, but 300mm depth (12 inches) in front of a standard (16 inch) fire and 750mm width (30 inches) would be a good guide as a minimum.

Solid Fuel Fireplaces

With an open fire it is recommended that the hearth be 18 inches deep. If there is a fixed fender then there is no defined limit.

For firebaskets with an open fire the hearth is recommended to be 18 inches in front of the fire as with all solid fuel fires. If there is a fixed fender then there is no defined limit.

We can supply separate back hearths for use with fire baskets.

Solid Fuel Stove
The hearth should extend 12" in front of any open access to the fire in the stove.

We can supply separate back hearths for use with stoves

Mantels and Hearths

If your fireplace has a mantel then the hearth size can vary.

The mantel can stand on the hearth or the hearth can sit between the mantel legs or the mantel can have "cut outs".

If you have exposed floorboards then the hearth should fully cover the constructional hearth to avoid seeing the concrete. If your fireplace has a mantel then the hearth size will vary depending on whether the mantel stands on the hearth or the hearth sits between the mantel legs

Our Standard Sizes
A Standard Size Hearth is 54" x 15" x2" thick
with or without a kick (a tongue extending back) but all other sizes are available.

Individual Hearth Tiles
Individual Hearth Tiles are available in various finishes and shapes.

The Constructional Hearth

The Constructional Hearth is a flat area of fireproof material (usually concrete) in a wooden floored house that should finish flush with the floorboards around where the fire is to be fitted.

The Decorative Hearth

On top of this constructional hearth sits the Decorative Hearth which is what usually refer to as a Hearth. This hearth is usually made from stone, slate or ceramic tiles.

Stone Fireplace Hearths

Unslabbed Granite hearths are not suitable for use with solid fuel as the intense heat generated may cause cracking

Slabbing
Slabbing is the method of filling the underneath of the hearth with reinforced concrete. This provides a stable base for the tiles or stone and the steel reinforcements help spread the heat more evenly so that the slate or granite is not subject to heat stresses which might cause it to crack.

Tiled Fireplace Hearths

Our Slabbed Tiled Hearths are available in a range of colours in high quality glazed ceramics - suitable for all types of fuel including gas and solid fuels. These hearths are available in flat back and in tongued back models.