CHOOSING THE CORRECT HEARTH FOR A STOVE IN A TINY SPACE

Hearths are important for protecting the floor underneath the stove from catching fire from the incredible heat the stove can generate when at full operating temperature. If you buy a stove which has been CE tested as suitable for placing on a 12mm non-combustible hearth then the hearth should present few problems otherwise you will have to build and support a hearth made from concrete or brick which has an overall depth of 125mm (5”).

The minimum size for the hearth for use with a free-standing stove should be 840mm x 840mm (approx 33” x 33”) by 12mm thick with a minimum space of at least 225mm deep (subject to the manufacturer’s minimums) left at the front of the stove. The hearth’s surface should also be visually different in colour or texture to that of the surrounding floor area to avoid it becoming a dangerous trip area in such a confined space. Typical materials used are purpose-made glass hearth plates, resin panels, stone pavers or ceramic tiles laid on a suitable non combustible base.
 

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