Installing granite fireplace hearth

Carefully unpack the hearth, header, legs and riser if applicable from the box and inspect for damage that may have occurred during shipment. If you find damage to any of the fireplace mantel kits, immediately report the damage to the truck driver and note on your bill of lading and notify Mantels Direct. Set each piece on the floor. When installing your hearth, we recommend the use of Micore board may be purchased from us or a similar product to create a buffer between the hearth and floor.

This helps in preventing your hearth from breaking once installed, as well as providing additional flame retardance. Carefully place the hearth on the Micore with the face of the marble facing the firebox, polished edge up. Apply the adhesive around the perimeter of the hearth; leaving two places for handholds, then a couple of "squiggly" lines down the center of the hearth.

Be very careful not to have any voids around the perimeter that would cause a corner to break if someone stepped on it. Gently but quickly lower the hearth; this is the most critical time of the installation, as the weight of the marble can cause it to crack if held flat for any length of time. It is not necessary to apply large amounts of adhesive to the hearth, since it is extremely heavy and the weight helps keep the piece in place.

If it were to break, it is easier to remove the hearth if only minimal adhesive is used. When installing a hearth over uneven floors, make sure you cover the entire perimeter of the hearth with adhesive; do not round the corners. Use a thin set bed underneath the hearth if the floor is really uneven, so that the substructure is perfectly level before the hearth is installed. If you are using an adhesive that contains a water base, we recommend that you place the glue on the sheet rock, since it will absorb the water.

Note: Do not use a water-based adhesive for Verde Oriental Dark or Venatino marble as bleeding or warping may occur. Surrounding the fireplace with a floating hardwood floor is not hard to do. However, there are some safety and installation tips you need to know before beginning.

This article provides you with the details of how to install wood planks around a fireplace hearth. I think people who come into my home feel comfortable and welcome, and loved. And the biggest thing in my living room, the fireplace, is in and of itself an expression of love. Any wood floor close to a fireplace has the potential to get burned from sparks and embers.

Typically, a wood-burning fireplace has more potential to have sparks than a gas-log fireplace. To minimize the hazard, always use a metal screen to prevent popping embers from flying out and landing on the floor. We will get into more safety tips in a moment. Building codes consider a vented gas fireplace as an appliance, not a real fireplace.

You can install a wood floor right up to the base. Just to be clear on some definitions, a hearth is the fireplace floor. The firebox surrounds it with fireproof bricks, and the smoke rises out of the chimney. The tile or stone you see in front of fireplaces is the hearth extension. We use the generic term fireplace to describe the entire unit. The UBC Uniform Building Code states that a hearth extension must extend at least 16 inches in the front and 8 inches beyond each side of the fireplace opening.

For oversized fireplaces with openings of 6 sq. There are no screws, glue, or nails required, making it the most effortless solid hardwood floor to install. It floats on top of the subfloor. If you have a fireplace, there are a few ways to install the floor around it for a seamless, professional look.

Laying an Easiklip floor is simple. Layout the boards on the subfloor and fit them together using the aluminum clips provided. When it comes to fitting the wood planks around the fireplace, you can use a few techniques. Plan well before you cut anything, especially brick or stone.

Pro Tip : Start laying the hardwood flooring from the fireplace and work outward from there. Typically, there are four popular methods for installing hardwood flooring around a fireplace. They are undercutting, using a contour, molding, and the picture frame method.

If you are retrofitting a new floor to an existing fireplace, you may need to undercut the brick or stone and slide the flooring underneath. Before you start, gather these tools:. You may also need a jigsaw or a miter saw, depending on the type of installation method.

Undercutting the stone is more effort, but it will give you a seamless look without caulk or molding. Rent an undercut saw and purchase a diamond-tipped masonry blade.

Floor installers use an undercut saw to cut the bottom of door jambs to install hardwood floors. Set the height of the blade to match the planks and start cutting. You should wear a mask and have someone hold a shop vacuum hose close to the blade to mitigate the stone dust. Here, we love the way designer Erin Chelius of Chelius House of Design has picked out the shades in the tile pattern and mirrored them elsewhere in the room, creating a wonderful sense of cohesion.

By keeping the rest of the fireplace neutral, she allows the subtle pattern choice to draw the eye and create a focal feature without overpowering — a clever design trick. Fancy sprucing up your hearth with some houseplants? Take inspiration from Lindsay Wallstrum — how gorgeous is her fireplace? Here, an authentic stone surround is complemented by a modern stone hearth, adding an extra dimension to an all-white scheme.

Practicality is just as important as good looks when it comes to choosing materials for your hearth. Alternative options such as concrete are a great way of modernising a fireplace, while tiles are also a popular choice for injecting fun, color and personality into a room — just be sure to use suitable ones that can withstand heat. Ultimately though, it depends on where the firebox sits.

For raised designs, the average height would be between inches from the floor to the bottom of the hearth opening, which allows you to safely install a seating area. The height of the hearth serves a practical purpose, too. After the arrival of her second son — and subsequent departure of any free time outside of his unpredictable nap schedule!