Raised hearth or floor level for LR fireplace?
Comments (13)
yborgal
13 years agoWe've had both.
In our previous home, the FR was about 28 x 16 with a 14' ceiling height and the raised hearth (raised fireplace) allowed us a good view of the fire from all parts of the room even while seated.
Our FR now is smaller with a 10' ceiling and we can see the floor level hearth and fire from anyplace in the room. The flat hearth also allows us to use the floor space for additional furniture placement whenever the FP is not in use.
If your rooms are really large, I'd opt for the raised hearth. If not, then I'd go with a floor level hearth.
chocolatebunny
13 years agoRelated Discussions
Fireplace Question: Raised Hearth or Level With Floor?
Comments (7)We have both. We did a raised hearth in our living room. A wood burning fireplace, not gas. Did the raised for a few reasons. Although the fireplace opening is fairly large, I wanted it raised for sight lines. I wanted it raised for the same reason Weedy wrote, that it actually does provide additional seating when needed. The raised hearth also makes access easier for me when tending the wood fire. My kids were young, 3 and 5 years old, when we built this house. Though the hearth could be considered to be a hazard of some sort, it also acts as a "stopper" or sorts, keeping the kids from running around right in front of the fireplace opening. My kids loved the raised hearth; sitting and watching the fires, warming themselves, etc. In wintertime it was one of their favorite spots for sitting and reading. There are differences between gas and wood fires, so your priorities may vary. Upstairs in our master bedroom suite I have the firebox raised off the floor, maybe 12" or so...but instead of raising the hearth too, I built the hearth itself flush with the floor. Up there I didn't want a raised hearth at shin level when someone was moving around in the darkness. We wouldn't ever use a raised hearth up there for sitting, we have a couple of reading chairs set around the fireplace. Though the room is generously sized, I didn't want the raised hearth projecting into the room. Raising the fireplace box itself still gives nice sight lines of the fire from throughout the bedroom area, even when in the shower or tub in the master bath, and the "flush with the floor hearth" preserves some square footage. So for us it was two different rooms, two different sets of priorities. And do realize your kids will be young and reckless for how long? Whereas the hearth will be raised or flush forever....See MoreRemoving a Floor Level Brick Hearth
Comments (4)Once the first one is broken up and the remains pulled out, the next brick adjacent can be broken loose sideways and usually removed relatively intact, or at least in a few pieces. The more room to pry, the easier they come out. It's just that the very first brick or two hasn't got any wiggle room to pry in any direction at all. Yes, you should be able to rent one at any tool rental place. Wear ear protection, they're noisy. Casey...See MoreFloor level fireplace hearth ideas (informal)
Comments (3)We did a fireplace in an addition over the summer and ended up using tile that looks "slatelike" (Sant Agostino India, I believe) but its flat. Our family room where the fireplace is, opens to the kitchen, and this tile is now on the kitchen floor as well. I didn't think I'd like it as much as I actually do - I'll try to get my daughter (12 and much better with digital camera) to get a picture of it....See MoreI need good renovation ideas for a fireplace with raised hearth
Comments (18)Is your FP wood burning? I have a gas FP in my living room, and I can't sit that close to it, and be comfortable long. I do have a leather chair next to it which is much more comfy for sitting. Here are some images of contemporary fireplace hearths, and you may get inspiration from them. Personally, and this is just for me, I'd prefer something like the bench in front of the FP, so you can more it closer or away depending on the heat emanating. HERE are the pics. My late sweet dog kids liked it for a few minutes on a cold winter day in Maine, but they had to move away soon, too. (Old picture!)...See MoreCarol_from_ny
13 years agohappyintexas
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13 years agoSidney4
13 years agoI had a floor level hearth in my last house and went with a raised hearth in my new house. The family room in my last house was small so a raised hearth would never have worked.I chose the raised hearth in my new house because I wanted the extra seating and the room is big enough to accommodate it. We also have high ceilings and I thought the raised hearth was visually more appealing. I can understand the concerns about bruised shins, etc. For some reason that hasn't been a problem for us. Our cabinetry and mantle extends out away from the wall so the hearth doesn't seem to stick out as far. Maybe that has helped prevent people from bumping into it.
My fireplace is still a work in progress as you may know from another thread but here is my raised hearth.
ttodd
13 years agosusanka
13 years agoWe have a very open floor plan with a rather small seating area in the living room because we want to leave room for folks to enjoy the view. The hearth (marble tile) is actually comfortable for one or sometimes a couple of people to sit on for extra seating. In fact, in a group I prefer it to the sofa. Just one 13-inch tile deep, but that seems to be plenty.
This is my current favorite pic of our view, although DH likes others ones better. I admit I like to indulge myself by sharing it, so here it is.
segbrown
13 years agoWe did a raised flat ... raised so that we could see from everywhere, flat to save floor space. Sometimes I think it looks kind of strange, other times I like it, lol.
View from kitchen island:
jejvtr