In order to build a fireplace hearth, you need to make sure that your base is level and sturdy. There are many different methods for creating a fire pit hearth, but the one I’m going to share with you today is one of my favorites. It’s durable, attractive, and simple enough that anyone can do it.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Building a sturdy and level hearth base is an important part of any fireplace installation. |
| Materials for a hearth base include cement board, plywood, and a fireproof pad if using a wood-burning fireplace. |
| A raised hearth can provide additional seating and a cozy feel in a living room. |
| It’s important to follow safety guidelines and building codes when building a hearth, and consulting with a professional can ensure proper installation. |
| Additional resources for building hearths include guides for building a raised fireplace hearth, a traditional fireplace hearth, and a hearth for a wood-burning stove. |
Preparing The Site
Before you can lay down any pavers, you need to make sure that the area is level. If the ground is sloped or uneven, then your hearth will end up crooked and won’t look good.
You will also have to get rid of any weeds or grasses that are growing in your site so that they don’t show through when you lay down the concrete pavers on top of them.
Fitting Concrete Pavers
Once the foundation and hearth base have been laid and the joints properly cleaned, it’s time to fit your concrete pavers and start laying them. This step is fairly simple: all you need to do is make sure that each piece sits flush with its neighbors.
The best way to do this is by using a spirit level or straight edge as a guide; simply place the tool in one corner of each brick (or paver), then check it against your neighboring brick(s).
If there’s a gap between two pieces of concrete pavers, use a trowel or float to fill in any gaps until they are flush with one another.
If you’re looking for options for your hearth, look no further than our guide on What Can You Use as a Hearth? Our comprehensive list of materials and their pros and cons will help you make an informed decision for your hearth.
Laying The Mortar
Once you’ve chosen the concrete pavers and have laid out your hearth base, the next step is to lay down a layer of mortar. The mortar mix that you use should be suitable for outdoor use so that it doesn’t deteriorate over time.
To get started, pour some mortar into a wheelbarrow and add water until it becomes thick enough to spread easily with a trowel (about 1 inch thick).
Spread the mortar onto your hearth base using your trowel, being careful not to go too far past where you want it; otherwise, this will cause problems later on when adding decorative pebbles or stones.
Smooth down any bumps once they’ve dried overnight by using an old rubber float found at most hardware stores. When done, clean up excess mortar with a damp sponge before letting everything dry overnight again.
Fitting Inlays
The next step is to fit the inlays into the hearth base. Inlays are decorative pieces that fit into grooves cut into the base and make up for any excess material from the original piece.
They can be made from any number of materials, but typically you’ll want to use something durable and heat resistant, like slate or marble.
Measure out your inlay pattern on top of the hearth base and then use a router to cut grooves where each piece should go. You can use a jig saw or other tool if you don’t have access to a router, but this will take longer than using one would have done it!
Sand down both sides of each piece with sandpaper until they are smooth and flat; this will help them fit snugly into place when installed later on during finishing steps (see below).
Wondering how much a hearth will cost you? Check out our guide on How Much Is a Hearth? We break down the factors that influence the cost of a hearth, so you can budget accordingly.
Fitting The Bench
The bench should be the right height so that your knees are slightly higher than your hips. This is called a “sitting angle”. It will take some time to find the perfect height for this, but in general it should be somewhere between 30 and 45 degrees.
A good bench length can be about half as long as your hearth width, or it may just extend from one side of your hearth to the other depending on how many people you want to fit on it.
A solid seat width is 24″ (61 cm) wide so two people can sit comfortably next to each other on it without feeling crowded or cramped.
Finally, make sure that your bench base is not too heavy for you or anyone else who might help you move it into place!
Fitting the Bench
| Description | Products |
|---|---|
| Bench materials | Belgard Diamond bench |
| Adhesive | SRW Rapid-Set Polyurethane adhesives |
| Wall block | Keystone Retaining Wall Systems Country Manor wall block or Pavestone Rumblestone wall block |
| Paver base | Brock PaverBase System |
Note: These products are examples and not an endorsement of any specific brand. Please refer to product labels and manufacturer’s instructions for proper use and installation.
Fitting The Hearth Pad
With the hearth pad fitted, the next step is to lay it on top of the base. The hearth pad should be large enough to cover all parts of your firebox, so make sure you measure your firebox and buy a hearth pad accordingly.
If necessary, you can cut off any excess material from one side before laying down your new hearth pad. Be careful not to cut too deep into any edges or corners—you don’t want anything sharp sticking out over where people will walk!
A hearth pad is an essential part of any fireplace installation. Check out our guide on How Do You Make a Hearth Pad? to learn how to make one yourself, using affordable and accessible materials.
Cutting The Hearth Pad To Size
Cutting the pad to size is best done with a good utility knife. If you don’t have one, try asking around at home improvement stores and tool rental shops, or look for a job site with a permanent power supply (as opposed to temporary power).
This way, you can plug in your electric saw and use it safely without fear of running out of battery.
As you cut the material, be sure to use a straight edge as much as possible. This will ensure that all four sides come out nice and square—a crucial component of building an effective hearth pad base.
When using your saw or other cutting tool, do not cut corners; keep them sharp so they don’t fray when being heated by the fire. Also avoid cutting too deeply into the material; this will weaken its structural integrity and make it more susceptible to damage from heat and flames during operation.
Finally: Don’t make your pads too small! While this may seem counterintuitive since there are plenty of small stoves out there that work just fine with smaller hearth pads (e.g., rocket mass heaters)
Laying Mortar For The Hearth Pad
After the mortar has had time to set and cure, you’re ready for the next step. Mortar can be purchased from your local hardware store and comes in a variety of colors.
Before applying it, you’ll need to mix it with water according to the package instructions. Once the mixture has been made, add sand and mix again until everything is well-blended.
Next, use a trowel or a large putty knife to spread mortar across your hearth pad and all over its surface area.
Spread the mortar evenly using small strokes so that there are no bumps or ridges in its surface when it dries completely.
If any areas are too thin or too thick (which will cause cracks), just add more material before it dries so that they match up with each other perfectly when they’re finished drying out completely together!
Remember: always keep your tools clean after using them because bacteria could grow on them otherwise which could make people sick over time if not taken care of properly.”
Should you raise your hearth? Our guide on Should a Hearth Be Raised? helps answer this important question with a detailed discussion of the pros and cons of a raised hearth.
Fitting Outside Corners For The Hearth Pad
Now that you’ve completed the main pad, it’s time to fit the outside corners.
Cut and fit the corner pads in a similar way as before, ensuring that they are square with each other and level at the bottom. When fitting inside corners make sure they are perfectly square. Use spirit levels to check for straightness.
Fitting Outside Corners for the Hearth Pad
| Description | Products |
|---|---|
| Metal trim pieces | Schluter-Systems’ Rondec-CT in stainless steel |
| Flexible PVC trim | M-D Building Products 1-1/4 in. x 36 in. vinyl stair edging |
| Wood trim | Alexandria Moulding WM 623 1-1/16 in. x 1-1/16 in. Pine outside corner moulding |
Note: These products are examples and not an endorsement of any specific brand. Please refer to product labels and manufacturer’s instructions for proper use and installation.
Sizing Up Your Door Frame
You’ll need to measure the width and height of your door frame. Once you have those numbers, add 1” to each one. This is how much clearance you need from the floor to the bottom of the hearth base.
Next, measure the thickness of your door frame and add an extra ½” on each side for shims (more on these later).
The reason this step is important is that although a door may seem like it’s perfectly flat, chances are good that it actually has some curvature or taper toward its edges.
This adds up when trying to position a large stone in place it can easily intrude into neighboring spaces if there isn’t enough allowance for error built in at every point on all sides!
For example: if we have a 36″ wide x 80″ tall opening but there’s only 30″ from our front doorframe down towards floor level … well … let’s just say we’d be looking at some serious problems if we tried fitting something like a 60lb piece of granite into such tight quarters without making sure there was enough room around all sides first!
You also need
measurements for both thicknesses (front/back) before adding any additional material onto either side since this will affect how much space remains between any given surface area within proximity–and thus how thickly packed things might become while still maintaining form integrity over long periods
Properly laying a hearth requires skill and precision. Check out our guide on How Do You Lay a Hearth? for professional tips that will help you achieve a beautiful, level hearth for your fireplace.
Laying Out Ceramic Tile On Top Of The Hearth Base.
Ceramic tiles can be laid out in a variety of patterns, but you’ll need to make sure that you have enough tiles for your base.
You’ll also need to leave room around the edges of the hearth pad and hearth base so that it’s easy to remove and replace when necessary. Here are some helpful tips:
- lay out the tile pattern you like on paper first
- make sure all sides are square before gluing down tiles
- use spacers as needed – will vary depending on what size/style of tile you’re using
| Description | Products |
|---|---|
| Cement backer board | James Hardie HardieBacker |
| Tile adhesive | Mapei Ultraflex 2 or Custom Building Products Marble and Granite adhesive |
| Ceramic tiles | Daltile Restore in white, Merola Tile Kings Star in grey, or MSI Havenwood Platinum in beige |
Note: These products are examples and not an endorsement of any specific brand. Please refer to product labels and manufacturer’s instructions for proper use and installation.
Conclusion
Once you’ve completed all the steps for building your own hearth, you can start laying down ceramic tile to give it that nice finishing touch. This will help keep your home warm during those chilly winters!
Further Reading
If you’re looking for more information on building a hearth, check out these helpful resources:
How to Build a Raised Fireplace Hearth – This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions for building a raised hearth, including framing and finishing options.
How to Build a Fireplace Hearth – Learn how to build a traditional fireplace hearth with this easy-to-follow tutorial, complete with tips for choosing the right materials.
Building a Hearth for a Wood Burning Stove – If you have a wood burning stove, this guide provides detailed instructions for building a hearth that meets regulations and looks great.
FAQs
Q: What is a hearth?
A: A hearth is the base of a fireplace or wood stove, typically made of fireproof materials such as brick, stone, or tile.
Q: Do I need a hearth for my fireplace?
A: Yes, a hearth is required for safe and efficient use of a fireplace or wood stove. It protects the surrounding area from heat damage and provides a stable base for the appliance.
Q: How do I choose a hearth material?
A: When choosing a hearth material, consider factors such as durability, style, and cost. Popular options include slate, marble, granite, and ceramic tile.
Q: Can I build my own hearth?
A: Yes, with the right tools and knowledge, it is possible to build your own hearth. However, it’s important to follow safety guidelines and building codes to ensure proper installation.
Q: How can I ensure my hearth is safe and up to code?
A: It’s important to consult with a professional or local building authority to ensure your hearth meets safety regulations and building codes.
My name is Hellen James. I’m an expert in writing about fireplaces, hearths, and firepits because they’re a beautiful part of home decor, but also because they can be so much more than just a fireplace—they’re a way to enjoy the outdoors even when it’s cold outside!
