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A hearth is the area around your fireplace that also extends out onto the floor in front of it. Traditionally, they served a purpose to protect your floor coverings or carpet from burning embers or logs that may fall when the fire is lit. Nowadays, many people have electric fires or gas fires, so a hearth is no longer needed in a purposeful sense, though they are still used for a striking visual effect.
For those of you who do still have a traditional wood burning fireplace, though, or are looking to get one installed, what type of hearth should you go for? We’ve listed some of the most common materials used for hearths and why, along with which may be the best choice for you.
Natural Stone
Natural stones are among the best materials to use for a hearth thanks to their naturally fire-resistant properties. Amongst these, we would argue that marble is the best material you could go for. Marble is extremely heat resistant and cannot catch fire, making it an excellent and durable choice of stone to have around your fireplace. Furthermore, it is also tough, water-resistant and easy to clean, which are all ideal properties to have for a hearth since fires will produce a lot of soot that could leave unattractive black marks on the hearth’s surface.
In addition to this, marble is considered a very attractive stone and comes in a variety of colours and finishes, so it also offers versatile design choices to you as well as practicality.
Cast Iron
Another relatively popular option for hearths (and especially seen with wood burning stoves) is cast iron. Just as this material is used for pots and pans when cooking, it can be used for fireplaces thanks to its heat-resistant properties. These hearth types are also highly durable, meaning they will last you a considerable amount of time. Furthermore, they are also a more affordable option in comparison to installing stone hearses, such as marble (which tend to be more expensive), whilst remaining timeless and ornate in terms of aesthetics.
However, one of the main drawbacks of a cast iron hearth is that this material is prone to rust, so if there is any opportunity for moisture to get on or near the fireplace, then you may start to see areas of rusting. In addition to this, if you opt for a painted cast iron hearth, you may notice that the paint becomes scratched or worn away with frequent cleaning.
Fireplaces and Stoves
If you’re looking for high quality marble hearths for your fireplace or looking to install a traditional cast iron wood burning stove in your home, then Fireplace Superstore has the solutions for you.
We have everything you need, from wood burning stoves and modern gas or electric fires, to quality hearths and fireplace accessories.
Get in touch with us today for more information and advice regarding our products and services.