Hearth options
Since October 2010 building regulations have allowed for 'superimposed
hearths'. This is to say that a non combustible material (e.g. glass
or granite) can be laid over a combustible surface (e.g. a wooden
floor) to form a hearth providing certain specific criteria* are met.
The installation needs to have least 225mm (9") of hearth in front† of
the stove and 150mm (6") to either side. This is true of both
freestanding and installations in an existing recess.
Superimposed hearths are a quick effective and safe way of creating a
hearth in room that does not presently have one. All the
stoves I sell are
suitable for a superimposed hearth.
Brick hearths
Brick has the advantages that it provides a hearth that looks
appropriate for older properties and 'rustic' in newer ones. The
thickness of brick goes a substantial way in creating the thickness if
a 'constructional hearth‡' is required and it provides a durable
surface suitable for use around solid fuel appliances.
My brick hearths are made with local Chailey or Ashdown
brick 2nds with lime mortar. The use of lime creates an 'always been
there' look and and matches the mortar of older properties. Also lime
endures around heat sources far better than cement based mortars.
Typical brick hearth made with
Chailey/Ashdown brick 2nds
with bullnose or other articulated corners |
from
£245 |
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Please contact me for more details. |
Other options
- Slate, quarry or patterned tiles can be very effective and the
material cost is relatively modest.
- A single piece of slate or granite cut to size with chamfered
edges looks very effective although the material cost is high.
Francis Tate in Worthing turn around order usually in about 10 days
and do a very nice antique granite.
- Glass providing it is 12mm thick can look very striking and the
cost is moderate.
- C20 in Manchester make pre cast Regency tiled hearths which are
quick to fit and impeccably finished although they are expensive.
- The Great Slate Company in London provides stone at very
reasonable prices.
* the criteria being that the stove has
been demonstrated to heat the hearth to less than 100°C in normal use.
† strictly speaking 'from the fire bed of the appliance'
‡ usually 125mm (5") thick
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