Should A Hearth Be Raised? (Answered)

The hearth is the heart of a home. It’s where we gather around, where we cook and eat, and where fires are lit for warmth and light.

For centuries, hearths were as much a part of our homes as the walls themselves but now they’ve become more than just decorative features in rooms.

With all the options available today, it can be difficult to decide if raising your hearth is right for you or not. We’re here to help!

How to Build a Wood Stove Hearth – Framing a Hearth

Takeaways
A raised hearth is a type of hearth that’s installed above the floor.
The purpose of a fireplace hearth is to protect surfaces from heat and sparks.
Fireplace hearths can be made from a variety of materials, including stone, brick, tile, or concrete.
A raised hearth can be installed for aesthetic purposes only.
Safety is an important consideration when installing a raised hearth.

Table of Contents

Safety

The danger of a raised hearth is that it can be easily overlooked. Your space may look beautiful, but if you haven’t properly maintained your fireplace, the dangers can be hidden—and they will come back to bite you.

Clean your hearth regularly by sweeping off ashes and dust.

If you have an old brick or stone hearth, have it inspected by a professional every year or so to make sure there are no cracks in the mortar that would allow dangerous gases to escape into your home.

Use your hearth only in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and never use flammable liquids to start fires—this includes gasoline, lamp oil and other similar products.

Never leave children or pets unsupervised around fireplaces! Even after being extinguished for hours at night (or days during winter break), there is still plenty of residual heat in a fireplace bed that could cause burns if touched directly after being used all day long without anyone watching over young children playing nearby.

If you’re looking for options when it comes to choosing a hearth, then check out our article on what can you use as a hearth for an in-depth analysis of various materials that can be used.

Cost

The cost of a raised hearth fireplace is dependent on several factors, including the materials used, labor and permits.

If you’re installing a new fireplace or just want to raise your existing one, you’ll need to consider how much each of these factors will affect your budget.

Materials

The materials needed to build a raised hearth vary depending on what size and style you want. For example, if you’re going with cement tiles like those pictured above instead of brick or stone ones that look more traditional but require more work (and therefore cost), then the price will be higher than it would be otherwise (but not by too much).

The labor factor comes into play when considering how much time and effort it takes to install each type as well as whether there are any additional fees involved with getting permits from local authorities so they can come inspect everything before starting work on site itself.

This varies widely based upon where exactly in the country you live; some states have stricter codes than others when it comes down specifically towards building codes related to fireplaces themselves because these structures aren’t required for safety reasons–they’re valued purely aesthetically which means less oversight during the construction process!

Installing hearth stones can add a touch of elegance to your hearth, but it can also be a challenging process. Check out our article on how do I install hearth stones for an explanation of the process and some useful tips to make it easier.

Aesthetics

A fireplace lends a cozy ambiance to any room. A raised hearth gives you the opportunity to add character and style to your home, while also providing you with an eye-catching focal point in the living room. In addition, a raised hearth can be used to create a beautiful fireplace in a small space.

Brand	Product	Description
Real Flame	8020E Crawford	An elegant electric fireplace designed to make a statement in any room with its classic design and faux-marble finish.
Ameriwood Home	Farmington Electric Fireplace TV Console	A stylish TV console with an electric fireplace insert that creates a cozy ambiance and attractive focal point in any room.
Southern Enterprises	Antebellum Electric Fireplace TV stand	Combines vintage and modern design with its faceted glass doors and electronic fireplace insert, creating a stunning look for your entertainment center.
Touchstone	Sideline Recessed Electric Fireplace	A sleek, ultramodern electric fireplace that provides the illusion of a real flame without the mess and hassle of a traditional fireplace.
Dimplex	Optimyst Pro 1000	Uses ultrasonic technology to create a highly realistic flame effect, creating a mesmerizing ambiance in any space.

Decorative Stones

Decorative stones can be used to create a border around the fireplace, they can be used as a hearth and they can even be used as a decorative fireback.

The most popular decorative option is to use stones that are laid in place, but it’s also possible to create a chimney breast with some of these materials.

If you’re looking for something that has more depth than just laying down bricks or pavers, you might want to consider installing an actual stone hearth or even making your own fireback from concrete bricks (this is definitely not as easy as it sounds).

Are you unsure about whether to raise your hearth or not? Take a look at our guide on how to make a hearth pad to know what options are available to you.

Heating Performance

The hearth is the part of your fireplace that sits directly in front of you, and it’s also referred to as the floor of your fireplace.

Heating performance is affected by two factors: height and surface area. A lower hearth means less heat radiated into the room, while a higher one allows more radiation but leaves you with less floor space for furniture or activities.

A lower hearth will also lead to increased convection losses since air cannot circulate so freely under it, but this can be mitigated by using a damper or door at the bottom of your fireplace opening (if there’s one).

Convenience

Convenience is a huge part of why we choose our hearths. If you’re going to be using your fireplace often, then it should be easily accessed.

You don’t want to have to get up on a ladder every time you want to add logs or make sure the ashes are clear from the bottom of the grate.

Also, if you plan on spending some time in front of that fire, it’s important that everything about it is user-friendly and easy for everyone who might use it—from children playing with sparklers through grandparents grilling hot dogs.

Building a hearth base can be a daunting task, but don’t worry, check out our easy guide on how do you build a hearth base to make the process simpler and smoother.

Accessibility

Accessibility is the key to a successful hearth. You want to be able to easily move around your fire and make sure that you always have access to your fuel source, whether it’s wood or coal.

This means choosing a place with plenty of space for moving around the fire, which can sometimes be difficult in an old home with cramped rooms and small hallways.

If you live in an apartment building where there may not be much room for movement between neighboring apartments, consider having your hearth built in a corner cabinet so that it doesn’t take up too much space on the floor or block any pathways between other rooms (or even doors).

Companion Animals

There are a number of reasons why you may not want to raise your hearth. One common example is if you have companion animals, such as cats and dogs. While they can be trained to stay away from the fireplace area, it’s easy for them to get curious or accidentally fall into the fireplace if it’s raised above floor level.

If this happens, your animal could become seriously injured by the heat, smoke and sparks produced by the fire.

Even if they don’t come into direct contact with any of these things during a normal day-to-day use of your fireplace and most likely won’ti—t’s still important to consider how much time you spend around your fireplaces on average before making a decision about whether or not they should be raised up off of their regular position in your home.

Laying a hearth is a delicate process that requires precision and expertise. Check out our guide on how do you lay a hearth for some pro tips that can help you in the process.

Embers and ash

As an added bonus, you’ll be able to get rid of any embers that may still be left behind after your fire is out.

Embers and ash can be a fire hazard if they’re not cleared properly. Ash can cause damage to the hearth, especially if it’s used often and the ashes aren’t swept up regularly. So make sure you keep your fireplace clean!

Brand	Product	Description
Weber	8836 Gourmet BBQ System	Designed with hinged grates, so you can add charcoal or wood chips without removing the grill and disturbing the embers and ash.
Kamado Joe	Charcoal Basket	Allows you to easily remove the ash from your cooker and control the airflow for an even burn.
Traeger	Ash Removal System	An easy-to-use ash cleanout system for wood pellet grills that helps you keep the fire pot clean and running smoothly.
Big Green Egg	Ash Pan	Helps you easily and safely remove the ash from your Big Green Egg, making cleanup a breeze.
Napoleon	Ash Vacuum	Designed to efficiently clean up ash and embers from wood stoves, pellet stoves, fireplaces, and more.

Conclusion

By now, you should have a good idea of whether or not you should raise your hearth. There are certainly benefits to doing so, but they come with some drawbacks as well.

For example, raising your hearth may look nicer but it can also be expensive and time-consuming depending on what kind of material you choose.

If you’re considering raising your hearth at home, ask yourself these questions first before making any decisions.

FAQs

What is a raised hearth?

A raised hearth is a type of hearth that’s installed at a height above the floor, rather than flush with it.

What is the purpose of a fireplace hearth?

A fireplace hearth is a protective foundation that surrounds the fire, usually made of non-combustible materials, and prevents heat and sparks from damaging surrounding surfaces.

What type of materials can be used for a fireplace hearth?

Fireplace hearths can be made from a variety of materials, including stone, brick, tile, or concrete, depending on personal preference and safety measures.

Can a hearth be raised for aesthetic purposes only?

Yes, a hearth can be raised solely for aesthetic purposes to add some personality to your fireplace and complement your home decor.

Are there any safety considerations when it comes to raised hearths?

Yes, safety considerations are important to consider when installing a raised hearth. Some include ensuring proper support beneath the hearth, using non-combustible materials, and keeping flammable materials at a safe distance from the fireplace.

Hellen James

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!