Jump to content

Fireplace hearth... advice...

Jeremy

By Jeremy
in The Lounge

 Share

Recommended Posts

Jeremy

Jeremy

Posted
Posted

We're planning on having sanded/varnished floorboards in the lounge of our house... so far so good... but in front of the fire place, the hearth (which I think would have originally been a piece of stone flush with the floorboards) has been replaced with some old bits of tatty wood.


I think it would look much better with a piece of stone/slate in there... and besides, I am assuming that a stone hearth in front of the fireplace is mandatory if we want an actual fire or stove at some point.


So what's the best thing to do? Find someone who can supply a piece of stone of the correct size and fit it? Or is it better to buy a standard "off-the-shelf" one, and cut back the floorboards to fit around it?

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/35598-fireplace-hearth-advice/
Share on other sites
Jeremy

Jeremy

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Actually there is already stone inside the fireplace itself... but not in front of the fireplace. And I'm talking about stone which is flush with the floor, not sitting above it.


(Come to think of it, the fireplace itself might contain poured concrete rather than a piece of stone)

red devil

red devil

Posted
Posted

Probably, therefore you shouldn't let that drive the aesthetic. A nice piece of stone sat next to some old concrete screed? When it was a working fireplace you wouldn't have seen the screed, therefore it wasn't an issue.

It's six of one, half a dozen etc if you go with bespoke or ready made.

Personally I would think about the overall desired finish and work back from that.

For instance does it, or will it have a fireplace surround to it?

If you had a stove would you want some space for decorative log storage to sit on the hearth.

These things will impact on the size of the hearth.

Personally I think it would look a lot better if finished like the above photo, all-in one, going into the fireplace, therefore it will need to be templated to suit. As for finishing flush or not, that's up to you, but the easiest would be to lay the stone on top of the screed and floor boards if required. If you wanted it flush, rather than messing with the floorboards, the screed could probably be lowered so that the stone sits flush...

womanofdulwich

womanofdulwich

Posted
Posted
its also good to think what you are going to put in the hearth- either now or in the future- as there are regulations esp for gas fittings/ coal effect fire etc. A real fire can get very hot and you must use the correct type of stone ( as we found out to our cost)
red devil

red devil

Posted
Posted
Having thought about it more (and to answer your original question) if you are happy with the size of the existing hearth (ignoring the rear screed for now) it will be better to get a bespoke piece of stone made rather than cutting into the existing floorboards to fit an off-the-shelf piece of stone. The reason being that the hearth and floorboards will have their own support structure beneath which will have to be mucked around with in order to get the new off-the-shelf hearth in...
Jeremy

Jeremy

Posted
  • Author
Posted

My current thinking is that I should get a piece of stone cut to fit the existing hole in front of the fireplace... at least then it will look respectable once the floor is sanded and finished. In the future we may want to put an extra raised hearth on top of it (as in your photo, RD). This will mean ripping out the existing surround and then re-mounting it higher up... but the fact that there's a non-combustible hearth beneath it should mean we're safe if/when a fire goes in.


So I guess my next question is... who knows of someone who can supply a slab of slate to my specified dimensions for a decent price?

red devil

red devil

Posted
Posted
I haven't got any names of suppliers (worth checking local stone masons though as they might have off-cuts), but if you do end up taking responsibilty for supplying the dimensions, measure the diagonals as well as the sides, as the rectangle may not be square...if you know what I mean :)
Annette Curtain

Annette Curtain

Posted
Posted

Either: You make a template out of clear Correx sheet


Mark the finished edges (the ones that you'll see) onto the template with black Sharpie. Spec a pencil round edge around the top edge , again where you'll see


Go down to Marble City Wandsworth or another stonemason and they'll quote/supply you


Honed black slate is usual and not expensive, finish it with this stuff http://www.amazon.co.uk/HG-Satin-Polish-Golvpolish-litre-P14-PLEASE/dp/B001DYUMD2


Once fitted mask the edges and fill the gaps with black silicon and tool wet into shape. Carefully remove and leave to cure.



Or: Get a company to template, supply, fit. It's a standard service. I use Paul Challen in Arundel as they work all over London.


Hope this helps


Pm me for any other details if you like.

Jeremy

Jeremy

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks nette. But for now I just need a rectangle, so template shouldn't be necessary. I actually came across marble city earlier when googling for 'stone hearth london', so will be sure to get a quote from them. Perhaps at a later date I'll go for a "T" shaped piece to lay on top of it.


Will probably fit myself... just a matter of ripping out the "placeholder" wood, squirting with adhesive, and lowering into place. In theory.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Advertise Here

  • Latest Discussions

    • Peckham native
      GALA 2026

      By Peckham native · Posted

      This may be somewhat out of date but virtually no environmental benefit & almost entirely grass... really? https://www.gigl.org.uk/sinc/sobi09/ Description Peckham Rye was established as an open space in the late 19th century and includes several valuable habitat features spread across the park. The park is a Grade II Listed landscape, and has recently been restored with assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund. A small community garden within the site is managed by the Friends of Peckham Rye. Peckham Rye Park won a Green Flag Award again for 2022. The site is used by the Southwark Health Walks project as part of a Walking the Way to Health (WHI) scheme. Wildlife This large park has several valuable habitat features. The most important of these is the only remaining above-ground section of the River Peck and the most natural stream in the borough. The stream is heavily shaded by native, unmanaged wet woodland dominated by alder, ash and pedunculated oak with a ground cover of pendulous sedge and bramble. Alder dominated woodland is a rare habitat in Southwark. Although somewhat altered with weirs, other artificial structures and ornamental planting, some sections are still in their natural banks and includes yellow flag, watercress, water figwort and cuckooflower. The largest of three ponds supports marginal vegetation including hemp agrimony. A variety of waterfowl nest on the wooded island, including tufted duck, coot, Canada goose and mallard. Substantial flocks of gulls visit the park in winter and bats are likely to forage over the water. Small blocks of predominantly native woodland, mostly on the boundary between the Park and the Common, are dominated by oak and ash with a well-developed understory, but sparse ground flora. Spring bulbs have been planted in previous years. These and several dense shrubberies support a good bird population and small numbers of pipistrelle bats are present. Infrequently mown grassland is located in one large area and was seeded in 2009. It's composition includes giant fescue, ladies bedstraw, meadowsweet, black knapweed and wild carrot. The rest of the park consists of amenity grassland with some fine mature trees.  
    • first mate
      Fireworks

      By first mate · Posted

      Same here. Incredibly selfish behaviour. Also illegal.
    • kbabes
      Fireworks

      By kbabes · Posted

      I heard them & our two dogs were extremely upset by it..  bad enough during the evenings but at least can have music on to dilute the noise!   Some people have literally zero thoughts for others!! 
    • Azalea
      Fireworks

      By Azalea · Posted

      I have signed that petition.  Someone was letting off loud fireworks at about 3 am this morning. They woke me up.   I don’t know where they were exactly but it sounded like they were in the vicinity of Dog Kennel Hill.    

East Dulwich Forum

Established in 2006, we are an online community discussion forum for people who live, work in and visit SE22.

Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...