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We sell a lot of polished black granite hearths, and one of the questions we get asked most is whether the same type of hearth can be used with any fire.
The answer is no.
A standard one-piece granite hearth is fine for gas, electric, bioethanol and display use. Once you move onto wood burning or multi-fuel, the hearth needs to be made differently because of the extra heat.
We’ve sold granite hearths for over 23 years and have seen what happens when the wrong type is used, so it’s worth getting this right before you order.
You can see all the different options in our granite hearths range.
As a quick guide:
| Fire type | Granite hearth normally required |
|---|---|
| Electric fire | One-piece polished granite |
| Gas fire | One-piece polished granite |
| Bioethanol fire | One-piece polished granite |
| Display fireplace | One-piece polished granite |
| Wood burning fire | Cut and slabbed granite |
| Multi-fuel fire | Cut and slabbed granite |
| Wood burning or multi-fuel stove | Cut and slabbed front hearth with rear hearth |
The main thing to look at is the amount of heat the hearth will be exposed to.
For gas and electric fires, a standard one-piece polished granite hearth is normally the simplest option. These are available in a range of widths with 15-inch and 18-inch depth options, so the main thing is choosing a size that works with your fireplace surround and installation. Because the hearth is supplied as one piece, you get a clean polished finish without the expansion joints needed on a solid-fuel hearth. If you’re fitting an inset gas or electric fire, a matching granite back panel and hearth can also be used to create the same polished black finish around the fire opening.
Yes.
A standard one-piece polished granite hearth is suitable for our bioethanol fireplace installations and also works well for fireplaces that are purely for display. Bioethanol is a useful option for customers who want a real flame without installing a wood burner or gas fire, while still keeping the look of a traditional fireplace.
One thing that catches quite a few customers out is seeing visible lines in a new solid-fuel hearth. Those lines aren’t cracks or damage. They’re expansion joints.
We’ve seen numerous one-piece granite hearths crack after being used with solid fuel. Granite expands as it gets hot and contracts again as it cools, so repeatedly heating one large solid piece can eventually cause it to fail.
A solid-fuel granite hearth is therefore cut into separate sections. The joints give the granite room to move as it heats up and cools down. So if you order a solid-fuel fireplace package and the hearth arrives with visible joints, that’s exactly how it should be made.
Stove installations are slightly different because you normally need the hearth to continue into the fireplace opening underneath the stove. Our stove hearth sets include a cut and slabbed front hearth and matching rear hearth panels. The rear hearth is normally supplied as two 18 × 18-inch granite panels.
These are almost always cut on site by the installer so they fit the exact fireplace opening. Unless somebody has specifically ordered a bespoke size, cutting them during fitting gives much more flexibility. They can then be levelled with the front hearth to give you a continuous granite base underneath the stove. Always check the requirements for the particular stove being installed and speak to your installer before fitting.
You can also have a matching granite panel and hearth with a solid-fuel installation. The difference is that the hearth needs to be made for solid-fuel temperatures rather than using the standard one-piece version supplied for gas and electric fires. The important thing is not to assume the two sets are interchangeable just because they look similar.
Personally, I really like polished black granite with limestone. The contrast works brilliantly. You have the softer, natural off-white colour of the limestone surround against the deep black polished hearth, and it suits both traditional fireplaces and cleaner contemporary designs.
Granite also works well with marble and wooden surrounds, and it’s a natural choice underneath cast iron fireplaces. We have all of the main granite hearth types on display in our Heanor showroom, so if you’re unsure about the finish or the differences between them, you can see them properly before ordering.
Most fireplaces will work with a standard hearth size, but plenty don’t. One of the most common reasons we make a hearth to measure is to cover existing floorboards. You might remove an old fireplace and find the original hearth has left an area of exposed or unfinished flooring that a standard new hearth won’t quite cover.
Odd-size mantels and unusual fireplace openings are another common reason. In those cases, the width, depth and shape of the hearth can be altered to suit the installation.
When asking us for a quote, it helps if you can give us:
The fuel type is particularly important because it affects how the hearth needs to be constructed.
Polished granite is fairly straightforward to look after, but it’s worth using the right products. For cleaning advice, including what to use and what to avoid, read our guide on how to clean and maintain a granite hearth.
If you’re unsure, send us the fire or stove you’re using along with your measurements and we can help you choose the right option.
Phone
01773 718718
Email
sales@castfireplaces.co.uk
