Traditionally, a fireplace hearth inside the home is said to be the heart of the room. Before there was any sort of modern heating or cooking systems in place, the area near the fireplace used to be the gathering spot for family members to relax and cook food. Hearth, the floor of the fireplace, can be built easily in your homes with some simple steps. It only requires some basic DIY skills along with some necessary materials.
Materials required
A 3/4 inch medium density fiberboard or wood
A 2/4 ply or wood
Grout
Tile cutter
Circular saw
Tiles
Nails and hammers
Learning how to build a fireplace hearth can be educational and enjoyable process, but one important point must be considered before you start. Make sure you are using non-combustible materials.
Find out the jurisdiction in your area of what is the requirement concerning the thickness of the incombustible material which will go under the fireplace. Normally, the minimum usage is at least 1/2 inch thickness of the material. Check your local building codes to confirm the restriction. Once completed, you can apply for a license to show that you have built the hearth safely and that it goes in agreement with the standards set by your local jurisdiction.
Step 1
Now that you know the code requirements in your locality, start designing the hearth accordingly. Firstly, decide the type and quantity of materials you require to build your hearth. Create its shape and size which suits the local standards.
A variety of materials can be used to build a hearth. Usage of tiles is considered to be one of the simplest methods for this kind of building. You can even find other options to give your hearth a unique look. Consider using granite, plaster, brick or stone as to build it. Remember, that using each of the above materials has a downside and upside to it. For example, a granite hearth looks a lot more beautiful than any of the other materials, but it is a lot more expensive. Also, installing such a material needs a professional contractor because of its level of difficulty. Chimney Sweeps in Seaford and other nearby location are in more demand because of the usage of stone hearths which results in a mess but give a rustic look and feel to it.
Step 2
Build the platform of your hearth with a medium density fiberboard or plywood. You can also use wood for this, but the other options are much cheaper. The platform should be both robust and durable so that the tiles do not break due to instability.
Step 3
Once you build the platform by complying with the building codes, add a cement board on top of it. The dimensions of your cement board will depend on the size of the platform. Measure your need and cut out the board with a saw or any other equipment of your choice. Make sure you take adequate safety precautions before doing this.
Step 4
Applying the tiles on the cement board platform can be a bit tricky. First, you need to choose whether you want to use ceramic tiles or the stone ones. Then the tiles need to be cut out as per the size of your already created cement board. Having a few extra backup tiles can be helpful as some of the tiles may break into pieces during cutting.
Step 5
Grout is a form of liquid cement which is used to fill up the gaps between the tiles. Once you have placed the tiles on the cement board, carefully grout the gaps. Make sure all the joints are thoroughly covered by using a sealant and allow it to be dry for sometimes.
Conclusion
Building a fireplace hearth may seem a lot easy through the above steps, but it is a lot more complicated affair when you’re trying to make one. Make sure you follow the building code that differs from place to place, and you can use alternative materials instead of the ones stated above.
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