A brick hearth is a flat area under and directly in front of a fireplace or stove which serves the dual purpose of protecting adjacent carpets and floors from heat and embers while adding visual appeal. Apart from the brick bed, the hearth may include a variety of durable, heat resistant finishes; slate, tiles. and natural stone products are favored choices. A brick hearth is typically raised above the surrounding floor and may include design elements such as decorative inlays, borders, and edging. The hearth may also be part of a more ornate architectural feature including headers, mantle shelves, and overmantle panels.
In years gone by, wood burning stoves and fireplaces were the only form of heating and cooking; brick and stone hearths generally served no more than a utilitarian purpose. They offered a fireproof base on which to build the fire and protected floors from errant sparks and embers. As time has progressed, however, the fireplace and hearth have become as much decor items as they are functional. The modern brick hearth is likely to include finishes and design elements that not only serve the intended purpose of the installation but enhance the space as a whole. These may include contrasting inlays, decorative bullnose inserts, stucco detailing, and tile or stone fascias.
The term hearth has come to be loosely applied to most parts of a fireplace including the sides of recessed fireboxes. The architectural and construction definition of a hearth is, however, the area directly in front of a recessed fireplace or in front of and under a freestanding unit. In the case of traditional recessed fireplaces, a brick hearth should extend several feet in front of the mouth of the firebox and on the level of its floor. This arrangement would typically be higher than the surrounding floor area and feature an attractive finish around its leading edge. If the hearth brickwork is not to extend into the firebox, these bricks need not be fireproof.
Brick hearths used to support freestanding stoves and fireplaces are usually based on a similar design to those of recessed examples. They typically consist of a raised island either away from or up against one of the room's walls. This type of hearth would also feature a decorative fascia with a brick or paver surface. The size of the freestanding brick hearth would depend on the installation and would generally be long enough to protect the surrounding floor from sparks and embers from the fire. The breadth of the hearth is a matter of personal taste and would depend on the fireplace design.
The brick hearth may also be part of a more extensive architectural treatment of the traditional fireplace. This is often the case with recessed fireplaces with the hearth forming a frontispiece for a header, mantle, and overmantle paneling. In all cases brick hearths can be truly attractive additions to the decor of any room. They are, however, essential features where wooden floors or carpeting run up to a stove or fireplace with the attendant risk of fire or damage to the flooring.