Ideas for a base matrerial for a hearth

[Agent L]

I'm about to build a slate hearth for my fireplace along the lines of this where the tiles go into the fireplace and under the stove:


However, it will be raised up to around 2 inches total.

I have the slate tiles, I have a fireproof concrete composite board thingy to cut out and mount them on. What I'm missing is what material I can use to put underneath the board that will enable me to raise it up. Normally I would make a frame out of wood batons but as this is a fireplace I can't see that being a good idea.

I think that the board, cement and tiles will be about an inch thick in total, possibly a little more. What are my non-combustible options to raise this up by another inch? I'm not too keen to pour cement into a frame etc but if that's the only option then so be it. For info, the front and side faces of the hearth will be tiled too.

Edited by Agent L on Tuesday 4th May 10:14

[saleen836]

Other than concrete you could use grit sand mixed with cement powder (same as they use for screeding floors)

[pmanson]

Probably a bit late but a friend made a really nice slate hearth using the slate from an old snooker table.

It's about the thickness you need.

[BertB]

Rather than use tiles we ordered two pieces of slate, one for directly under the stove that sits on a concrete slab, and the other piece sits in front of it and is about 1" thick. There is a step between the two, but this was intentional.

Over a certain output of stove it is suggested you put in an expansion joint, ours was border line, but we didn't have one and so far (fingers crossed) have had no problems.

[duff-man]

Building a frame and pouring a concrete base to the depth you require would be best, although your less preferable option.

[Dr_Rick]

Depending on your stove, you can get away with very little specialist material. Our stove is sat on slate as per your photo, but the stove is cold on the base and legs even when raging in the depths of winter. The brochure we saw had it sat on a piece of toughened glass on a wooden floor.

Other hearths we've used / had installed have relied on a timber frame filled with concrete, slate (3-piece for solid fuel) slabbed top and 2" risers around the timber frame. The risers are effectively decorative. I've never had any problems with the heat given off by the fire cracking anything.

Dr Rick

[Agent L]

Thanks for the advice guys, looks like pouring concrete into a frame it is then.