Hearths & Back Panels

A Fireplace hearth is a heat resistant surface placed under a fireplace. At Creative Fireplaces we make all our hearths to order in our Nottinghamshire factory. The entire back panel and hearth is made out of the same batch of marble to ensure colour consistency, and the highest quality standards are maintained as a result.

Hearths are usually made in marble; however it is quite common to use black granite hearths or even slate hearths. If a hearth is to be used with solid fuel (E.g.- Coal or Logs) then it is sometimes common to use various coloured granite as they are more heat resistant than marble.

We frequently get asked to make hearths “T-Shaped”, when they are to be used with wood burning stoves. The additional section of the hearth is recessed into the chimney and often needed to cover a visible gap. This can be done by either creating a separate smaller hearth, or making the hearth in one solid piece to for the intended shape.

Essentially hearths can be profiled in any shape required, however the most common profile is referred to as the “boxed and lipped” profile. This effect is created by recessing the riser (vertical price of marble) further back, and showing a visible overhang on the horizontal section of the hearth. Hence this creates the desired “boxed and lipped” effect. It is also possible to have the riser, flush with the horizontal section. This style of hearth is referred to as a “box flush hearth”. There are various edges that can be carved on the exposed hearth edges, these include Ogee hearths, Bull nose hearths & Triple pencil hearths.

If you are looking to use a hearth for a solid fuel application, such as a stove or a log fire, then the hearth has to be cut into sections and slabbed. This process involves splitting the hearth into three or four sections, and fitting the back with cement on site. This makes the hearth denser, and also allows the movement and contraction (caused by the heat) to be absorbed in the joints. We are able to make hearths to any size you require. If you have a current carpet cut out, and would like a hearth made to cover this, then simply measure the current carpet cut out and we will be able to manufacture a hearth larger than this to conceal the cut out.

A fireplace hearth comprises of a horizontal section, usually 20mm thick with an adjacent riser (vertical strip of marble). The overall height of the hearth is usually 50mm, which is made up by the 30mm riser + the 20mm horizontal marble piece = 50mm in total. The height of the hearth can always be altered if needed.

Back panels

A marble back panel can either be made in three sections or in one entire piece with the middle section for the fire cut out. Our fireplace Back Panels are all made out of one sheet of marble with the industry standard 22.25” x 16.25” cut out (approx 412mm x 565mm). The cut out in the centre can accommodate almost all Gas or electric fires, however we are always happy to increase the cut out if needed.

It is also possible to supply a solid marble back panel without a cut out. Or a Solid back panel with a circular hole (usually 5” 127mm in diameter) for a gas stove. All we need to know is the exact location of the cut out needed.

If a back panel is to be used with for solid fuel, such as a log burner then the panel needs to be slabbed. This process involves cutting the panel into three sections and filling the back of the panel with cement. This allows for the expansion and contraction during the heating process and prevents the panel from cracking.

Todays fireplaces are often supplied with Black Granite Back panels (often mistakenly referred to as balck marble panels). The remaining body of the fireplace is made in a subtle beige or cream marble colour, and the contrast between the fireplace and black granite panel creates a stunning modern and contemporary effect.