Therefore, you may forego the hearth because there’s no real burning fire to protect the floor and surrounding from. 1. Alternate to Hearth in Gas FireplacesĪ gas fireplace does not burn the same way as a traditional wood fireplace. There are decorative fireplaces like electric fire logs, LED fireplaces, electric fireplaces, pellet-burning appliances, decorative fireplace mantles, etc, where you can actually just use something else in place of a hearth because an actual hearth may not be absolutely required. If we have to go by that, then there is need to consider if there are alternatives to having a hearth in your home. In traditional terms, a hearth is often regarded as the entire wood fireplace. On the flip side, you do not need a hearth if you own a “non-real fire fireplace”. Other types like freestanding fireplaces and inserted stoves also often require non-combustible hearths. So, if you own a wood fireplace, a cozy night may quickly turn into a firefighting emergency if you do not have a hearth. Generally, fireplaces that emit radiant heat and not real fire may not necessarily require a hearth. You may just place a non-combustible material that is 12mm thick under the fireplace, providing the stove has been independently certified to not heat the base beyond 100 degrees celsius. An electric fireplace- whether brick, ceramic or freestanding- is powered by electricity and does not necessarily require a hearth. Using an electric fireplace also erases the need for a hearth. Mostly, a hearth is compulsory for natural and wood fireplaces that burn real fire and embers. So, rather than have a hearth for a gas fireplace, you can simply line the base with wood, laminate floor or even composite.Īny of these will do a great job at the base of your gas fireplace unless the manufacturer states that you use something different. With a gas fireplace, there are no wood logs, ash or embers that your flooring would need protection from. They do not have a chimney, do not have a real fire and are merely considered an appliance just like a heater, dishwasher or fridge. This is because a gas fireplace is not exactly considered a real fireplace in building regulations. However, there are cases when a fireplace may not need a hearth.Ī gas fireplace, for instance, may simply be purchased or built and installed without necessarily having a hearth. Traditionally, a fireplace includes a mantel, the surround and the hearth. Can You Have a Fireplace Without a Hearth? Not to forget that a hearth also beautifies the floor and surroundings of your fireplace, giving it a fine finish and look. This makes a fireplace more than just a source of heat during a cold night, but a spot for family and friends to bond and get together. In many homes, seats are built or placed around the fireplace on the hearth for people to sit around the fireplace and have some quality time. It not only makes it easy when you need to reduce the heat of a wood fireplace by separating the logs in the firebox. So, the hearth can help you keep things in place and prevent objects in your fireplace from spilling into your room.Īlso, a fireplace hearth is very useful for setting fireplace tools, implements and ash buckets. If you do have a rug, carpet or other flammable floorings, it may cause a fire and this can be pretty dangerous. Without a hearth acting as a protective covering, you’ll probably have to deal with scrubbing your home’s flooring all the time in a bid to get rid of ash and coal stains.Īnother way to look at it is to consider the protective layer that a hearth creates around your fireplace, ensuring that a burning wood log cannot roll out of the fireplace and onto your flooring. Sparks may also find their way to your main flooring if a hearth is missing. The first and most obvious function is that it provides a shield for your home’s floor against the impact of embers, ash, burning wood and radiant heat. But is a hearth really important in a fireplace? What is its purpose? Is it possible to build a fireplace without a hearth? What Is the Purpose of a Fireplace Hearth?Ī fireplace hearth is such a functional feature in a home for many reasons. It is usually made with non-combustible materials, such as ceramics, marble, slate or even limestone depending on your preference. More technically though, a hearth is best described as the floor of the fireplace that is most times extended to the outside and around the firebox. A fireplace hearth is often casually regarded as the area around the fireplace where people sit for warmth a comfort. One important component a fireplace is meant to have is a hearth. Even though many modern homes have taken up the central heating trend, you’ll find several home homeowners preferring the good old fireplace. Fireplaces have evolved over centuries, from prehistoric and medieval times to what is obtainable today.
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