How do you build a raised fireplace hearth
Mia Russell
Published Apr 15, 2026
Your height: When loading a fireplace or starting a fire, a raised hearth provides a place to rest your knee while loading the fire. The most common hearth heights are from 12” to 18”. If you’re tall (over six-feet), choose a higher hearth size.
How high should a raised fireplace hearth be?
Your height: When loading a fireplace or starting a fire, a raised hearth provides a place to rest your knee while loading the fire. The most common hearth heights are from 12” to 18”. If you’re tall (over six-feet), choose a higher hearth size.
How wide should a raised hearth be?
So how far should a fireplace hearth come out? 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.
Can you raise a fireplace hearth?
Hi Westview, yes you can raise the firebox. You’ll need to remove the wall surface(s) in front of the fireplace to remove the firebox and the lowest section of duct inside the wall. … The firebox can then be re-installed at the new height, and a new shorter section of duct added and new wall surface patched etc.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 deep should a hearth be for sitting?
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 is the best height for a hearth?
The height of your hearth opening above the floor often is a matter of local building codes and personal preference. The average height would be 12 to 14 inches from the floor to the bottom of the hearth opening, which allows you to install a seating area in front of your hearth.
How do you move a gas fireplace?
- Find an appropriate location.
- Disconnect the Gas supply.
- Disassemble the fireplace and remove the unit.
- Move the fireplace to the new location.
- Assemble the fireplace.
How do you level a fireplace insert?
After inserting your electric fireplace into position place a level on the top of the insert. Keep one corner of the level on the insert and tilt the level up to bring the bubble to the center. The side that you’ve lifted up is the side that needs to be shimmed.
What is the best material for 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.
Article first time published onWhat is the typical size of a fireplace hearth?
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.
What is the code for 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.
What is a floating hearth?
A floating hearth is a solution for a fireplace that has no built-in hearth or for homes that have limited wall space beneath the fireplace. This type of hearth typically takes the form of a wall-mounted shelf positioned below the fireplace that can be used for decoration or the storage of fireplace tools.
Can you sit on a floating hearth?
Floating hearths sit underneath the fireplace and “float” above the ground with empty space below. They are perfect for homeowners who want a modern look. Even if you have little to no space in your house, we can still outfit your fireplaces with a new hearth.
How do you cover an old hearth?
- Decorative fireplace screen or insert.
- Firewood.
- Oversized candles.
- Candelabra or ornamental candle holder.
- Potted plants.
- Books.
- Large mirror.
What is Ishearth?
A hearth /hɑːrθ/ is the place in a home where a fire is or was traditionally kept for home heating and for cooking, usually constituted by at least a horizontal hearthstone and often enclosed to varying degrees by any combination of reredos, fireplace, oven, smoke hood, or chimney.
Can I use tiles 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.
Can you put a hearth on wooden floor?
Member. There is no need to destroy your floors, the hearth can sit on top of the hard wood.
How thick should hearth tiles be?
It must be 2 inches or thicker, and the hearth must be at least 4 inches thick. This is a general rule; if your hearth is at least 8 inches higher than the hearth extension, then you can have a thinner hearth extension. It must be covered with an approved noncombustible material; tile is one of the approved materials.
How high should a wood fireplace be off the floor?
Generally, this will put the bottom of a linear fireplace 12 to 30 inches off the floor. However, if the fireplace is going to be next to a dining area, we suggest that the bottom of the fireplace be 36 inches off the floor, so that the chair backs don’t hide the flames.
What is raised hearth?
A raised hearth is a kind of hearth that is higher than the floor of a room in which a fireplace is located. Most fireplaces have hearths that are flush with the floor, even built into the floor. … The material that is used to make a raised hearth is often the same material that is used to make the fireplace surround.
How do you build a brick fireplace hearth?
- Step 1 – Moving the gas fireplace insert. …
- Step 2 – Cut half size bricks. …
- Step 3 – Measure and stencil horizontal guide lines on the wall. …
- Step 4 – Mix the mortar. …
- Step 5 – Lay brick the fireplace surround (the wall) …
- Step 6 – Brick over the fireplace insert opening. …
- Step 7 – Lay the brick hearth (the floor)
What is a zero clearance fireplace insert?
Zero-clearance fireplaces are pre-manufactured fireplaces that can be installed almost directly against combustible materials like wood, walls, or panelling. The construction and materials of the firebox do not allow the outside temperatures of the firebox to affect those materials and do not require a hearth.
Can I put a wood stove in front of my fireplace?
A wood burning stove can be installed in an existing fireplace, subject to there being a sufficient amount of space available in the fireplace to hold a stove, and there being a proper chimney.
How hard is it to relocate a gas fireplace?
Hard as it is to believe, it’s pretty easy to move a gas fireplace, but a wood-burning fireplace requires extra effort during a relocation. … Moving a fireplace requires diligent planning, and it’s best to have some experience under your belt before trying to tackle this job.
Is it expensive to relocate a fireplace?
The average cost to move a fireplace is $3,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the height, type of surround, and if it’s a pre-fab wood or gas fireplace, or site-built masonry fireplace. Moving a masonry fireplace requires demolishing the old one, repairing the wall, then installing a new fireplace.
Can you relocate fireplace?
If it is a masonry (stone or brick) fireplace, its impossible to move. If its a gas fireplace, it can be done but you’ll have to take the wall apart, rebuild the exhaust and move the gas piping.
What stone is good for a fireplace hearth?
Granite can be used with gas or electric fires and can handle the high-intensity heat of wood fires. It is one of the most commonly used stones for hearths because it is extremely hard and durable, and comes in a wider range of colors and patterns than other natural stones.
What Stone Can I use for a hearth?
Sandstone is a non-combustible natural stone that is a top choice for hearths. It is a thick and dense stone with a great capacity for thermal absorption and retention. It is not easily damaged by flying sparks or glowing embers. Sandstone hearths are vailable in muted beige or grey.
How big does a wood stove hearth need to be?
Generally speaking, wood stoves require pads 48″ and larger to protect from falling embers.
How far should a mantle stick out?
A mantel should stick out at least 6 inches (15.24cm) from the wall. It’s the perfect depth that allows you to have a mantle effectively deflect heat without compromising aesthetics. You can extend it to have more depth for your decorative pieces, but we don’t recommend having it less than 6 inches (15.24cm).