What is the purpose of a hearth on a fireplace?
Hearths serve a very important purpose as well as visually draw attention to the fireplace one of the key focal points in the room setting. Hearths essentially were created to serve a purpose rather than strictly as decoration. They make the fireplace area a safe place and also prevent fire hazards.
Does a fireplace need a hearth?
While glass front gas fires do still require a hearth, electric fireplaces do not have as many requirements. In fact, most electric fires don't require a hearth at all! Nevertheless, hearths remain popular even when they are not strictly necessary.
What is the floor in front of a fireplace called?
Hearth. The hearth refers to the floor area of stone directly in front of the firebox opening.
What is the difference between fireplace and hearth?
A hearth can be the floor of a fireplace, where the actual fire sits and burns. It can also describe the area just around the fireplace, where people may sit and be warm from the fire. This word can also be used as a general symbol of a person's home, more so than just a building where one sleeps.
What can I use instead of a hearth?
Of course, your decision will rely heavily upon your design preferences as well as whether you want your fireplace space to continue to provide heat....What to Use in Place of a FireplaceElectric Fireplace. ... LED Fireplace. ... Gas Insert Fireplace. ... Decorative Mantel. ... Pellet-Burning Stove. ... Wood-Burning Stove. ... Fake Firewood.
What can I use as a hearth?
The most common and best hearth material for a wood burning stove is stone, especially slate and granite. However, you will also find hearths made from glass and steel. These can withstand high temperatures without cracking or posing a fire hazard.
What is the tiled area in front of a fireplace called?
Hearth. Called the outer hearth or hearth extension, this is the area in front of the firebox or inner hearth that's made of brick or tile to reduce the risk of fires. Fireplace Face. The fireplace face or surround is the part of the fireplace surrounding the firebox that you see in the room.
What do you put in front of a fireplace?
Give your fireplace an inviting and homey feel by flanking either with cozy furniture. A reclining chair, a vintage stool or an old trunk are the perfect elements to add a rustic touch to the hearth area.
What are the areas of a fireplace called?
At the base of the firebox is the hearth, and at the top of the firebox is the throat of the chimney, where a damper can be found in some fireplaces. What is this? The front of the firebox is called the fireplace opening, where glass doors can sometimes be found, or where a fireplace screen would be located.
Does a hearth need to be raised?
The perimeter of the hearth should be clearly defined by either using a raised edge or by raising the level of the hearth in relation to the floor. The hearth should extend at least 150mm out from the stove at the sides and 300mm in front.
How do you identify a hearth?
How do archaeologists identify a hearth with this range of shapes and sizes? There are three crucial elements to a hearth: inorganic material used to shape the feature; organic material burned in the feature; and evidence of that combustion.
Why do you need a hearth?
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, embers and flames of a fire. A hearth's extension into a room acts a safety feature when having a fire in your home.
What is code for a fireplace hearth?
Per California fireplace hearth dimensions code as published on UpCodes, if the firebox, or the opening of the fireplace, is less than 6 feet square, then the requirement is that the hearth must stick out at least 16 inches to the front and 8 inches on either side of the opening.
Can floor tiles be used as a hearth?
Tile is perfect for the fireplace surround. The hearth is the section of the fireplace below and in front of the firebox. It is a horizontal surface and may be a raised hearth or the floor immediately in front of the fireplace. Tile is also a great option here.
How far out does a fireplace hearth need to be?
16"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.
Do you have to have tile around 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.
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.
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.
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.
What is a Fireplace Hearth?
A hearth is a structure put in front of your fireplace and is made of non-combustible materials such as marble, bricks, cement slabs, or stones.
The Different Types of Hearths
There is no one type of hearth because different materials can be used to install a hearth at your fireplace. The various hearths have pros and cons depending on the type of fireplace you have installed at home. For example, some materials are not suitable for making a hearth in a wood-burning fireplace because they won’t last long.
The 4 Fireplace Hearth Positions
Apart from being a safety feature, the different materials used to make a fireplace hearth also add to the beauty of your home. In addition, there are four styles of installing a hearth also to complement your needs for both protection and beautification.
What is a hearth in a fireplace?
A hearth is the noncombustible floor of your fireplace. That's the literal definition. Over time the hearth has referred to the firebox, the raised area around the fireplace, even the whole fireplace, mantel, hearth extension, and chimney. The word "hearth" sees a lot of use in the context of the whole area.
How far should a fireplace hearth extend?
If your fireplace has an opening smaller than 6 sq ft., the hearth extension must extend at least eight inches to each side and 16 inches to the front of the opening. If the fireplace has an opening bigger than 6 sq ft., the hearth extension must be at least 12 inches on the sides and at least 20 inches in the front.
What are Hearth Rugs?
These rugs are tested and certified for federal flammability regulations. A hearth rug is an essential accessory when it comes to fireplace safety.
What is the most common gathering place in a home?
It's more about the comforting feeling a home brings and the most common gathering place within it ‒ the fireplace hearth. Family and friends have gathered around hearths for centuries. The word hearth takes on many definitions, but most people recognize it as the space near or around the fireplace.
How far should a hearth extend?
If your fireplace has an opening smaller than 6 sq ft., the hearth extension must extend at least eight inches to each side and 16 inches to the front of the opening.
What are the different shapes of fireplace rugs?
These rugs come in a vast number of styles and colors. They also come in three main shapes: half-circle, square, and rectangle. It's best to choose your shape based on the location and dimension of your fireplace. Determine the size of your rug based on the size of your fireplace.
What is the priority number one when it comes to the hearth?
The safety of your home is priority number one when it comes to the hearth. After all, you are planning to create a controlled fire in your home. Hearth diagram of minimum hearth and wall extensions. Contractors and home builders follow the rules of the National Fireplace Institute (NFI).
What Can You Use Instead of a Hearth?
In traditional terms, a hearth is often regarded as the entire wood fireplace. If we have to go by that, then there is need to consider if there are alternatives to having a hearth in your home.
Can You Have a Fireplace Without a Hearth?
Traditionally, a fireplace includes a mantel, the surround and the hearth. However, there are cases when a fireplace may not need a hearth.
