Ideas for Fireplace Hearths
Frank Lloyd Wright, a house designer from the early 1900s, believed that fireplace hearths are actually the center of a house both physically and psychologically. He designed homes according to this philosophy.
Today, we could still apply this symbolically. The hearth is not only the connection between the living space and the fire, which is a symbol for life, but also serves as a place of beauty and focus.
It is a bonding area where families spend quality time together; it also is a nice place for a person’s alone time. An unattractive hearth could prevent one from doing these things thus robbing him of a very important emotional factor.
Fortunately, it is fairly easy to replace fireplace hearths. As long as one is not afraid to do a lot of measuring and get dirty, then it should pose no problem. Here is a simple step-by-step:
· Remove the current hearth material carefully using a chisel and a hammer
· Pour and level off new concrete on the old one; make sure that new height leaves enough space for the mortar and the new hearth material to be level with the fireplace floor and the room’s floor. Let it set overnight.
· When the concrete is dry, add the mortar and the new hearth material; make sure that this new hearth piece fits perfectly into the concrete space before adhering it
· Smoothen out the surface by scraping away excess mortar and filling in gaps.
Fireplace hearths could be made of brick, marble, slate, fireproof rugs, even baby-proof foams that are tall enough to keep a crawling baby away from the flames.
Customers can just pick the material that best suits the look and/or needs of their home. Of course, professionals could be hired to do this to make sure that the installation is secure.
