The hearth is a valuable part of any fireplace.
After all, the phrase “hearth and home” didn’t come around by coincidence. Perhaps it is the similarity to the word heart that resonates and instantly conjures thoughts of the hearth being at the centre of family life.
Whether the appliance or fire is electric, gas or solid fuel powered, and whether the hearth is there for aesthetic reasons or to ensure the fireplace complies with building regulations, the look and feel of the hearth can make all the difference to the decor of the room.
Without further ado, let’s look at some of the options when it comes to picking hearths for fireplaces.
54-inch Black Granite Hearth
This is a boxed and lipped hearth set on a riser. In total this quality granite hearth is 70mm high.
Suitable for: Electric, Gas
54-inch Black Granite Hearth For Solid Fuel
This is the solid fuel equivalent of the hearth above. Again it is boxed and lipped, but in this case it is slabbed. This is achieved by cutting the granite and rejoining it was a concrete fill. This prevents the heat created by a solid fuel fire from cracking the hearth.
Suitable for: Solid fuel
Granite Stove Hearth 33 x 24 Rectangular
This granite stove heart is designed to meet Building Regulations Document J as efficiently as possible. Those regulations require a hearth to extend 300mm in front of the stove, and it is good practice to allow at least 50mm between the rear of the stove and a non combustable wall at the rear. While you will need to check the dimensions and manufacturer-specified clearances, this hearth allows you to achieve that with many appliances.
Suitable for: Wood-burning stoves and multi-fuel stoves
Granite Stove Hearth 36 x 36 Hex
Slightly bigger than the rectangular version above, this hexagonal stove should be suitable for stoves up to 565mm in depth and up to 615mm wide to meet Building Regulations Document J (subject to the aforementioned checks on clearances specified by the manufacturer). This concrete-filled granite hearth is 90mm in height.
Suitable for: Wood-burning stoves and multi-fuel stoves
Granite Stove Hearth 36 x 36 Square
This hearth has the same dimensions as the hexagonal one above, but with the corner intact to create a square shape. It is made from 20mm thick black polished granite and is oxed and lipped on a riser. It is also filled with concrete.
Suitable for: Wood-burning stoves and multi-fuel stoves
Granite Stove Hearth 40 x 30 Bowed
Another aesthetic variation on some of the hearths above, this bow-fronted version provides a lovely curved hearth. Again, it is filled with concrete and features 20mm thick black polished granite. The total height in 90mm. This hearth may be suitable for stoves up to 400mm in depth and up to 700mm wide based on building regulations and best practice (but check the manufacturers’ clearance requirements).
Suitable for: Wood-burning stoves and multi-fuel stoves
Riven Graphite Black Hearth Tiles
If you don’t want to buy one of the pre-cut hearths for fireplaces already detailed, how about constructing your own? These 300mm x 300mm x 6mm graphite tiles come in a box of 14. The beautiful, Italian made tiles are ideal for wood-burning stove hearth construction.
Suitable for: Wood-burning stoves and multi-fuel stoves