What size fireplace hearth do I Need?
What size hearth pad do I need? Measured from the firebox opening, the hearth must extend 16 inches in front of the fireplace and at least 8 inches on each side. If the firebox has an opening of greater than 6 square feet, the hearth pad must extend 20 inches in front of the firebox and 12 inches from each side to maintain a properly protected ...
What is the standard depth of fireplace hearth?
The U.S. hearth depth dimensions are 16" or 20" as we explain in more detail here. Please note that the hearth extension to front of a fireplace, given as 16" or 20" is a minimum dimension not a maximum. More is safer.
What are the standard dimensions of a fireplace?
Typical fireplace dimensions depend on much space you want them to take up. The standard fireplace opening is between 24 and 36 inches wide, 24 and 29 inches high, and 16 inches deep. The distance from the hearth to the fireplace damper is about 37 inches. The rear of the firebox should be between 11 and 19 inches wide and 14 inches high.
How big should a fireplace be?
The standard measurement for a wood-burning fireplace is 24–36 inches wide, 24–29 inches high, and about 16 inches deep. Gas and electric inserts sit inside the firebox and are slightly smaller.
Should hearth be wider than fireplace?
The answer is a big, resounding yes. As a general rule of thumb, the mantel should at least be three inches wider on both sides of the fireplace. The average mantel width in most homes is six to twelve inches. With these dimensions, you can effectively deflect the heat coming from the firebox.
How wide and deep should a hearth be?
At least 150mm (6”) of hearth either side of the stove. At least 300mm (12”) of hearth in front of the stove. If the floor is combustible then the hearth must be at least 250mm* (10”) deep OR this can be reduced to 125mm (5”) deep if you have an air space or air gap of 50mm underneath.
How wide is a typical hearth?
An opening that's between 24-36 inches wide, 24-29 inches high, and 16 inches deep. On average, the distance between the hearth and the damper is about 37 inches. The fireplace's rear firebox is generally between 11-19 inches wide, with a height of 14 inches.
How big is a hearth supposed to be?
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.
What is code for fireplace hearth?
For Your Hearth Your fireplace hearth must extend at least 16 inches beyond the fireplace opening and at least 8 inches on either side of the firebox, according to the International Code Council. Hearth extensions will need to be at least 2 inches thick.
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.
How deep does a fireplace hearth have to be?
1 Hearth thickness. The minimum thickness of fireplace hearths shall be 4 inches (102 mm).
How big should a hearth be for a wood burning stove?
Generally, the minimum hearth size for a wood burning stove is 150mm on either side of the stove and at least 840mm by 840mm for freestanding stoves. Your hearth will also need to be deep enough to prevent accidents. The minimum hearth depth for a wood burner is 300mm.
What is code for tile around fireplace?
All combustible materials must be 6"+ from the opening of the firebox. The National Fire Code requires all combustible material to be at least 6 inches from the opening of the firebox. For every 1/8 inch of protruding combustible material, you must account for an additional inch of clearance.
How far should a hearth be off the floor?
A sitting-height hearth is simply a hearth that extends out into your room and is built up, or raised off the floor, to a height that is comfortable for people to sit on. Tim Carter of "Ask the Builder" recommends a sitting-height hearth not be more than about 17 inches high.
What is the best material to use for a fireplace hearth?
Stone, brick, cement, or fire-rated drywall finish are the go-to materials for making fireplace hearths durable and fireproof. They're also fairly adaptable when it comes to design: They can be left as they are or painted to match surrounding elements in a room.
Do you need tile on floor in front of fireplace?
An apron of marble or granite tile directly in front of your fireplace is common, but not necessary. Gas fireplaces will not damage flooring or other materials that are in close proximity, like a wood-burning fireplace would.
How deep does a fireplace hearth have to be?
1 Hearth thickness. The minimum thickness of fireplace hearths shall be 4 inches (102 mm).
How big should a hearth be for a wood burning stove?
Generally, the minimum hearth size for a wood burning stove is 150mm on either side of the stove and at least 840mm by 840mm for freestanding stoves. Your hearth will also need to be deep enough to prevent accidents. The minimum hearth depth for a wood burner is 300mm.
How high should a hearth be off the floor?
Raised hearths typically sit 12 to 18 inches off the ground and extend 16 to 18 inches from the fireplace's opening into your room. Floor-level hearths sit flush with the floor, taking up little physical or visual space.
How thick does a hearth pad have to be?
The standard for a hearth pad thickness is a minimum of 3/8″ or 8mm, and this can be thicker depending on the noncombustible material used, something that is important and not always stated on stove labels is that the hearth pad should be a continuous surface.
Should a Fireplace Mantel Be Wider Than the Fireplace?
A fireplace mantel is a crucial part of the fireplace. It’s not just a decorative addition to the room—it plays an essential functional role in directing all smoke up the chimney, preventing pollutants from entering your home. Therefore, you should get its dimensions right as well.
What Is the Average Width of a Fireplace Hearth?
A fireplace hearth is the flat surface that extends from the fireplace. It’s a crucial part of any fireplace because it protects against fire and heat damage and provides a safer space for you to walk around the unit. It also catches any fallen pieces of wood or coal, should they happen to fall.
How big should a fireplace hearth be?
Fireplaces with openings larger than 6 square feet demand larger hearths. The front of the hearth needs to extend to a minimum of 20 inches, and the side areas need to extend to 12 inches. The recommended thickness for larger fireplace hearths remains the same.
How far should a hearth be from the floor?
To keep fire, ashes and embers a safe distance from the floor in front of a fireplace that has an opening 6 square feet or smaller, the hearth should extend at least 16 inches in front of the fireplace opening. The hearth also needs to extend 8 inches to each side of the opening.
What materials are used for a fireplace hearth?
Stone, brick, concrete, concrete blocks or other noncombustible materials are recommended for hearths. If the hearth is so heavy that it requires underlying supports, they too should be fireproof. Advertisement. references. InspectAPedia: Fireplace Hearth Size Requirements.
How is the size of a fireplace determined?
The size of a fireplace hearth is determined by the homeowner or builder. There's no typical size, but there are recommended guidelines for safe fireplace operation and to prevent damage to areas in front of the fireplace.
Who is Cassie Damewood?
Cassie Damewood. Cassie Damewood has been a writer and editor since 1985. She writes about food and cooking for various websites, including My Great Recipes, and serves as the copy editor for "Food Loves Beer" magazine.
What Is A Fireplace Hearth?
A fireplace hearth is the area located at the base of the fireplace on which a fire is built, or a fireplace insert or stove is placed. The hearth is made from a non-combustible material and typically extends out into the room and to the sides from the fireplace opening.
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.
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’.
How far outwards should a hearth be?
In the UK, Building Regulations state that hearths must extends at least 150mm to the side of a firebed and at least 300mm outwards into the room for an open appliance. For closed appliances the 300mm can be reduced to 225mm. For open fireplaces, the hearth must project at least 500mm out into the room.
What is a hearth in a fireplace?
The hearth is an integral part of a fireplace and helps to protect your home from the heat of a fire, thanks to a layer of non-combustible material separating the floor of your home from the hot coals, ember s and flames of a fire. A hearth’s extension into a room acts a safety feature when having a fire in your home.
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.
How big is a fireplace hearth?
In the United States and referring to the ICC, a widely-used model building code, the code specifies a 16" hearth extension to front of the fireplace for fireplaces <6 sq.ft. of opening size, and 20" hearth extension to front of fireplace for fireplaces = or larger than 6 sq. ft.
How far from the firebox should a masonry fireplace be from the firebox?
When masonry fireplaces are part of masonry or concrete walls, combustible materials shall not be in contact with the masonry or concrete walls less than 12 inches (305 mm) from the inside surface of the nearest firebox lining.
How far should a hearth extend?
Hearth extensions shall extend at least 16 inches (406 mm) in front of and at least 8 inches (203 mm) beyond each side of the fireplace opening.
What is the National Fireplace Institute?
The National Fireplace Institute® is the professional certification division of the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Education Foundation (HPBEF), a 501 (c)3 non-profit educational organization for the hearth industry.
How far should a fireplace hearth extend?
Hearth dimensions: A fireplace hearth should extend at least 16" ( M.I.A.) past the front edge of the fireplace and at least 8" beyond each side of the fireplace opening.
How far from a fireplace can combustible material be placed?
Exposed combustible mantels or trim may be placed directly on the masonry fireplace front surrounding the fireplace opening providing such combustible materials shall not be placed within 6 inches (152 mm) of a fireplace opening. Combustible material within 12 inches (305 mm) of the fireplace opening
How far from the back of a fireplace should a wood beam be?
All wood beams, joists, studs and other combustible material shall have a clearance of not less than 2 inches (51 mm) from the front faces and sides of masonry fireplaces and not less than 4 inches (102 mm) from the back faces of masonry fireplaces.
How high should a mantel be above a fireplace?
According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), the mantel must be at least 12 inches above the top of the fireplace box. Make sure to also check your local housing codes to see if their rules require more than a 12-inch cushion.
How far off the floor should a fireplace be?
If this is the case, you probably want your fireplace to be at about eye level when seated – roughly 40-42 inches off the floor.
What is a fireplace surround?
A fireplace surround refers to all of the components of a fireplace outside of the firebox.
How big is a fireplace?
The average fireplace is approximately 36 inches by 30 inches, but there is plenty of variation in the fireplaces available on the market. The most common fireplace sizes are:
How far should a fireplace mantle stick out?
You want your fireplace mantle to stick out at least six inches, which will make sure it can deflect heat while still looking stylish.
How much does a fireplace add to a home?
Additionally, the survey found that over 83% of those surveyed estimated that a fireplace would add between $1,000 and $5,000 of value to a home.
How wide is a firebox?
The fireplace’s rear firebox is generally between 11-19 inches wide, with a height of 14 inches.
How thick should a hearth extension be?
Most hearth extensions should be at least 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide.
What is the minimum thickness of the hearth?
But it must be able to support the weight of the stove and any fuel that is placed on it.
How thick should tile be for hearth?
Including the type of tile being used, the size and weight of the fireplace, and the desired look and feel of the finished product. In general, however, tile for a hearth should be at least 1/2 inch thick to provide adequate support and durability.
What is an extended hearth?
An extended hearth is a type of fireplace that has a long, narrow platform extending out from the main hearth. This platform is typically used for drying clothes or for storing wood.
How do you build a hearth base?
A hearth base can be built byDigging a hole in the ground and lining it with bricks, stones, or concrete.Building a frame out of bricks, stones, or concrete.Pouring a concrete slab.
How far does a hearth have to stick out?
A hearth should protrude at least 16 inches from the back wall and at least 8 inches from each side wall.
Does a gas fireplace need a hearth extension?
Most gas fireplaces do not need a hearth extension, but it is always best to check with your local code officials to be sure.
How tall should a hearth pad be for an elevated fireplace?
Some elevated fireplaces have hearth pads at floor level. If this is the case, install a hearth pad that extends 20 inches beyond the fireplace's face wall.
How thick is a fireplace hearth?
The minimum thickness of a standard hearth's flooring within the fireplace is 4 inches. The hearth pad requires a thickness of at least 2 inches. However, if the fireplace's floor is at least 8 inches taller than the hearth extension, the hearth extension's thickness must only be at least 3/8 inch. Hearths and hearth extensions are made from concrete or masonry and do not contain any combustible materials.
How far should a fireplace hearth pad be from the front edge?
Larger fireplaces release more ashes, debris and soot than models with smaller openings. For larger fireplaces, extend the hearth pad at least 20 inches from the fireplace's front edge. The width of a larger fireplace's hearth pad stretches 12 inches beyond the left and right edges of the fireplace. Advertisement.
How far should a hearth pad extend?
When building standard models, make sure hearth pads extend at least 16 inches beyond the fireplace's front edge. Also, ensure the hearth pad stretches at least 8 inches past the right and left edges of the fireplace.
What is the hearth pad?
A fireplace's flooring is made up of the hearth, or the flooring within the fireplace opening, and the hearth pad, which is the extended flooring in front of the fireplace. Another term for hearth pad is "hearth extension.".
What is the purpose of a hearth?
The hearth's dimensions prevent soot and ashes from spreading throughout the room. When building a fireplace, the hearth's dimensions must be large enough to prevent ashes and soot from tarnishing the room's floor.
Where is Skip Davis?
Skip Davis. Skip Davis has been writing professionally since 2005. His work has appeared in "Southern Literary Magazine," on various websites and in graphic panels at the Jackson Zoological Park in Jackson, Miss. Currently living in Southern California, Davis received his Bachelor of Arts in theater at Belhaven College.
How tall is a fireplace screen?
Most old and antique fireplace screens are around 50 cm (19.7") tall, while the average fire height on andirons and grate or in a fire basket is about 10 cm (4") tall. This height of the fireplace screen is sufficient if well-dried (e.g. dried at least 2 years), slow-burning wood is burnt, such as beech, oak, and birch wood. Fast-burning wood types like spruce, pine, and poplar wood produce so many sparks that only a hermetic closure of the fireplace with the fire screen provides sufficient protection.
Why is a fireplace screen important?
The most important function of a fireplace screen is increasing safety. On the one hand, by preventing sparks from the fire from getting into the room and on the other hand by preventing children and pets being able to get to the fire.
What are the disadvantages of a fireplace screen?
The disadvantage is that the fire is seen more through the fireplace screen than would be the case if the fireplace screen were a bit lower.
How to contact Firebacks about fireplace screen?
Should you still have doubts about which fireplace screen would fit best, then you can feel free to call us (+31.653493998) or e-mail ( [email protected] ). With the sizes of your fireplace and a photo if possible, we can undoubtedly make a good recommendation.
Why put a spark screen in a fireplace?
The advantage of placing the fireplace screen in the fireplace, and not in front of it, is that the open-hearth screen draws less attention, and the beauty of the fireplace remain s more of a focus. In addition, placement of the spark screen in the fireplace makes the room look larger than with a placement in front of the open fireplace. This effect also applies for a fireplace screen of one panel that stands directly in front of the fireplace opening.
How high should a fire screen be?
On average, fires are burned at a height of 10 cm (4") above the hearth floor. If dry wood is burned and the fire is of average height, then a height of 50 cm (19.7") is sufficient for a fire screen. If your fire is located higher above the hearth floor, then the minimum height of the fireplace screen has to be adjusted accordingly. The same applies if you make very large fires, so that the fire height ends up being higher.
How big should an open hearth screen be?
The breadth of an open-hearth screen with a single panel should be at least 5 cm (2") larger than the breadth of the front of the fireplace. How much greater than 5 cm (2") is a matter of taste.
