How to Build a Fireplace Hearth
- Step 1. Check your local building codes to find out what your jurisdiction requires regarding the thickness of the...
- Step 2. Build the platform for the hearth out of MDF or plywood. You can also use wood, but often it's cheaper using the...
- Step 3. Add cement board over the top of the platform you've made for the hearth. Attach it...
Full Answer
What is the best stone for a fireplace hearth?
What Type of Stone Is Used for a Hearth?
- Living With Limestone. Limestone is one of the most inexpensive types of hearth stones available, but it only should be used with electric or gas fires because it is a ...
- Selecting Slate. ...
- Going With Granite. ...
- Marveling at Marble. ...
- Sticking With Soapstone. ...
What are the size requirements for a fireplace hearth?
- The VWA must be an obvious colour difference from the area around it.
- The VWA must be defined and obvious.
- The VWA must be of a non-combustible material (e.g. ...
- The VWA must be wider than the stove by at least 150mm each side (gap can be less if stove is against a suitably heat-resistant wall).
How to build a ventless fireplace?
A ventless fireplace fits anywhere in the house with no special renovations. The only things needed are a source of gas and an electric outlet. Most fireplaces are fan forced to provide more heat, and the fan uses electricity. The fireplaces sit against a wall, or they can be built into a corner. Step 4: Build a Hearth
How to lay a stone fireplace hearth?
Instructions
- Place the hearth on the floor, next to the fireplace, and mark out the position of the hearth using a pencil. ...
- Lay a ¾-inch bed of slab mortar according to the manufacturer’s directions. ...
- Place the stone slabs that make up the hearth on top of the mortar. ...
- Place the legs in their position according to the manufacturer’s directions. ...
How do you build a raised hearth in a wood burning fireplace?
0:514:44How to Build a Wood Stove Hearth - Framing a Hearth - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMaking sure the two boards are square and symmetrical screw the ends together using four inchMoreMaking sure the two boards are square and symmetrical screw the ends together using four inch exterior screws slide into place and secure it by screwing it into the wall studs and the bottom plate.
How high should a raised fireplace hearth be?
The height of your hearth opening above the floor often is a matter of local building codes and personal preference. The average height would be 12 to 14 inches from the floor to the bottom of the hearth opening, which allows you to install a seating area in front of your hearth.
Can a fireplace hearth be raised?
A raised hearth is a kind of hearth that is higher than the floor of a room in which a fireplace is located. Most fireplaces have hearths that are flush with the floor, even built into the floor. A raised hearth, however, is usually 1 to 2 feet (between 30 and 60 centimeters) above the floor.
How do you make a raised hearth?
1:2723:36How To Build A Fireplace Hearth - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the first thing I need to do is build a base to support my hearthstone. I'm going to build mineMoreSo the first thing I need to do is build a base to support my hearthstone. I'm going to build mine out of two by six stud lumber. And I'm going to cut that down to five inches in width.
How wide should a raised hearth be?
So how far should a fireplace hearth come out? InterNACHI recommends that for fireplaces that have an opening of 6 square feet (0.56 square meters) or smaller, a hearth should extend at least 16 inches (406mm) out into the room from the opening, and by at least 8 inches (203mm) away from the sides.
Can a hearth be flush with the floor?
A flush hearth is level with the floor. Most fireplaces have flush hearths. A flush hearth uses fewer materials than a raised hearth and is less expensive to build than a raised hearth. It also saves you more space.
Should a hearth be raised?
It also helps keep passers by a safe distance away from the scaldingly hot stove exterior and prevents people accidentally placing combustibles too close to the stove. For this reason, regulations also state your hearth should be 'visually apparent', with the edge ideally raised above the level of the floor.
What is a fireplace hearth extension?
A fireplace hearth is the floor area within a fireplace. It is made from noncombustible materials, such as brick or stone. The hearth extension is the noncombustible material in front of and at the sides of a fireplace opening.
Can hearth be higher than firebox?
Raised hearth: the raised hearth is above the firebox opening, making it seem like your firebox sits lower than it does. These can be several inches or feet in height.
How do you build a floating fireplace hearth?
0:165:22How to Build a Floating Mantel | Fireplace Wooden Mantel DIYYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecause i used drywall for underneath my faux concrete finish i can easily just use screws regularMoreBecause i used drywall for underneath my faux concrete finish i can easily just use screws regular screws that are long enough to go through my 2x4. Support through my half inch drywall.
What is the best material to use for a hearth?
The Top Three Materials to Use for HearthsGranite. As mentioned earlier, granite is a great mid-priced material for hearth construction. ... Concrete. Concrete is a popular choice for hearths due to its adaptability and safety. ... Marble. Marble is another great choice for a hearth.
Can concrete be used for fireplace hearth?
A simple solution for creating a hearth for your fireplace or wood stove is to pour a concrete slab right down onto the floor! We love how rustic and simple ours turned out with its soft gray coloring, perfect for the farm house look that we love so much.
How far should I extend a fireplace?
It needs to extend at least 16 inches from the front of the fireplace and a minimum of 10 inches beyond each side , according to most local building codes.
How thick of non-combustible material should I use under a fireplace?
Then make sure you buy enough material to meet those requirements. Usually it's necessary to have at least 1/2 an inch of non-combustible material.
What is a hearth for a fireplace?
Wood planks or medium-density fiberboard. Circular saw. When you have a fireplace, a hearth is useful because it protects your flooring from burns. Fireplace hearths can be raised and are great not only for function, but also for adding an element of design to your home. Building one of these hearths is simple and requires minimal materials.
How thick should a hearth be?
Different states will ask for different thicknesses of hearths. Normally, the requirements will be dictate at least 1/2 inch of non-combustible material around the fireplace.
Why is a hearth important?
When you have a fireplace, a hearth is useful because it protects your flooring from burns.
What do I need for a wood burning stove?
Things You'll Need. Build a raised hearth to accent your wood burning stove. A hearth provides protection for the floor in front of a fireplace or underneath a wood-burning stove. It must be a made from a fire-resistant material so that it will not ignite from stray embers, sparks or extreme heat; stone, slate, brick and tile are all commonly used.
How to lay tile on cement board?
Lay the tiles across the top of the cement board. Start at one corner and work your way across the board in rows. Place tile spacers in between the corners of the tiles as you lay them in place. Allow the mastic to dry 24 hours. Pull out the tile spacers with your fingers.
Can you make a raised hearth?
Some hearths are level with the floor and others are slightly raised, which can create a focal point for the room. You can make a raised hearth as a do-it-yourself project.
What is a fireplace hearth made of?
Fireplace hearths are made out of a non-combustible material such as granite, stone, marble, ceramic, cement or slate.
How far should a fireplace hearth extend?
InterNACHI recommends that for fireplaces that have an opening of 6 square feet (0.56 square meters) or smaller, a hearth should extend at least 16 inches (406mm) out into the room from the opening , and by at least 8 inches (203mm) away from the sides. For fireplaces that have an opening of greater than 6 square feet, the heath should extended at least 20 inches (508mm) out from the fireplace, and at least 12 inches (305mm) to the sides.
How thick should a fireplace be?
InterNACHI recommends that for any size fireplace opening, the thickness of a hearth should be at least 4 inches (102mm). In the UK, Building Regulations state that hearths must be at least 12mm thick when temperatures on the surface of the hearth will not exceed 100 Degrees Celsius.
What is the floor of a fireplace called?
In some cases the hearth is the floor located outside of the firebox, while the inner floor of the fireplace can sometimes be known as the ‘firebox floor’. The extension of the hearth into the room from the fireplace opening is also referred to as the ‘hearth extension’.
Why do fireplaces extend out into the room?
A fireplace hearth extends out into the room in order to help prevent any soot, ash or burning embers from spilling or spitting out onto the floor of the room.
Why do you need a fire guard on a fireplace?
A hearth’s extension also provides a suitable and flat area for which a fire guard can be placed, in order to protect both users of the fireplace and furniture of the room from any hot embers that are released by the fire, and to help prevent young children and pets from getting near the fire.
Why do we need a hearth?
A hearth helps to create a ‘safe space’ around a fire, in a way that delineates where the fireplace starts where the floor of the room ends , meaning that it helps to prevent you from standing or sitting too near to the fire.
Materials and Tools
two 3/4" pieces of plywood at 24-1/4" x 6" two 3/4" pieces of plywood at 88" x 6" one 3/4" medium-density overlay (MDO) at 86-1/2" x 22-3/4" (Medium-density overlay is an engineered plywood that has been coated with a resin to give it an extremely smooth finish.) two 3/4" MDO at 88" x 4" two 3/4" MDO at 21-1/4" x 4" 1" brad nails brad nailer carpenter's glue safety goggles 90# cement mix shovel water/water hose rebar wire screws 2"x2" board for smoothing cement concrete mixer concrete vibrator hammer mallet drill stain sealant.
Steps
1. The first step to building your new concrete hearth is to begin building your frame. Start by attaching your MDO sides to the plywood sides. Your MDF will sit on the inside and will actually be touching the concrete. Do this for all four sides of your frame.
Step 1 – Understand Your Building Codes
Step 2 – Make A Plan
Step 3 – Build The Platform
Step 4 – Add The Cement Board
Step 5 – Begin Tiling
Step 6 – Grout The Tiles
- Finally, carefully grout the tiles. Scrape this material over the tiles and make sure it is pressed into all the joints until smooth. Before lighting a fire and using your hearth or standing on it, allow everything to dry. Once you're finished, it's up to you if you would like to add a sealant to finish your fireplace hearth.