How to Construct a Colonial Hearth

A hearth refers to the non-combustible floor area, which extends to the front and sides of a fireplace. It provides protection for combustible floor finishes, such as carpet or wood, from embers from the fire. During the colonial period, fireplaces provided warmth, light and hot drinks and meals. The typical fireplace hearth material consists of brick or stone. Install the hearth level with the floor or build a raised hearth.

1/2-inch cement board
Cement board screws
Garbage can
2 inch by 4 inch lumber
Screws
Bricks
1/4-inch spacers
Mortar
Trowel
Stiff brush

Instructions

- 1
  Discuss the project with the local building code inspector to determine the guidelines for materials, dimensions and construction methods. Find out if the project requires a work permit. Start the project only after receiving approval.
- 2
  Choose the bricks for the project. Select bricks with the thickness necessary to meet the thickness requirement for non-combustible materials, per local regulations. Most codes require a minimum thickness of 4 inches. Include the thickness of the cement board if used for the foundation.
- 3
  Determine the dimensions for the hearth. Building codes usually require the hearth to extend a specific number of inches in front of the fireplace and on the sides, such as 16 inches and 10 inches.
- 4
  Prepare the floor for the hearth. Mark off the dimensions of the hearth. Remove the finish floor covering, such as tile, carpeting or hardwood. Discard the debris in a garbage can.
- 5
  Cut a piece of 1/2-inch cement board for the bottom of the hearth foundation. Screw the cement board to the subfloor with cement board screws.
- 6
  Form the perimeter framing for the hearth with 2 inch by 4 inch boards. Screw the boards together. Apply grease to the inside of the frame to ease removing the boards after the mortar cures.
- 7
  Arrange the bricks in the frame in the desired pattern, such diagonal or rows. Do not place mortar in the joints. Insert 1/4-inch spacers between the bricks to ensure the uniform spacing for the mortar joints.
- 8
  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mixing the mortar. Apply mortar between the seams of the bricks with the trowel. Use the trowel to compact the force the mortar into the seams, especially around the perimeter. Apply enough mortar so that excess mortar protrudes through the top. Use the trowel to remove excess mortar.
- 9
  Allow time for the mortar to dry according to the instructions. Remove the frame. Clean the hearth surface with a stiff brush. Schedule an inspection with the building code department to have the hearth construction approved.

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