Fireplace Hearth

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Fireplace Hearth

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alison
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Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 16 10:33 am Post subject: Fireplace Hearth
We are redoing a fireplace, and I am having a problem sorting out the tiles. Any suggestions welcome. I know the tiles for the hearth we are having, but it is the layout. I want to have slate. The depth is 36". We will need 2 tiles for the depth. Do we go for a 24" at the front of the hearth, and a 12" at the back, or just have 2 x 18" tiles. It is a very big hearth and quite dark at the back.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 16 10:37 am Post subject:
Are the tiles square? Is the grout going to match or contrast? Have you tried using some paper or card cut to size to see? I'd probably go for 24 at the front and 12 at the back, it'll use less tiles, need less cutting and possibly make it a fraction easier to clear with whole tiles at the front.

Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 16 10:38 am Post subject:
I'd go for the former. You'd be able to trim the smaller tile if necessary without it looking slightly odd. By the time you get grout, trim, bugger it's not straight back there, sorted you'd be shaving one of the 18's any way.

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 16 10:39 am Post subject:
I should add, the tiles come in different sizes, https://www.winkleightimber.co.uk/internal-flooring/slate/grey-slate-tile.html The grout will be black

Treacodactyl
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Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 16 10:44 am Post subject:

alison wrote:

I should add, the tiles come in different sizes,

https://www.winkleightimber.co.uk/internal-flooring/slate/grey-slate-tile.html

They do 36" flags.

A bit too much choice, I'd go for trying out a pattern with some paper or card.

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 16 10:47 am Post subject:
TD you are right, they do, except I told him I would choose from the top of the list, and the bed is set for 1/2" tiles

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 16 10:48 am Post subject:

Behemoth wrote:

I'd go for the former. You'd be able to trim the smaller tile if necessary without it looking slightly odd. By the time you get grout, trim, bugger it's not straight back there, sorted you'd be shaving one of the 18's any way.

I am not holding my breath that the wall is straight, so that is a fair point.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46207
Location: yes

Posted: Fri Nov 11, 16 10:53 am Post subject:

draw a line at 90 degrees to the rear edge in the centre of the fireplace, mark the front edge and both sides.

once you have the "floor plan" it should be fairly easy to decide what sizes are required so it has bilateral symmetry to the centre line.

big at the front ,smaller at the back will give the illusion of a big hearth receding into the distance whereas big rear/small front will foreshorten the look.

i might go for sizes that add up to the width and cut the rearmost ones to size for depth( the chances of the back wall being the last side of an equiangular rectangle are pretty low so will either need cutting or a wide grout fillet at the back.)

ps if it is to have maximum longevity it is wise to lay the tiles into a wet perfect screed of lime/portland/sand mortar rather than using tile glue which often fails if heated .iirc there are hearth rated adhesives but i'm not sure how effective they are.

gregotyn

Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area

Posted: Sat Nov 12, 16 9:55 am Post subject:
So what have you decided , Alison? We want a picture please.

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Sat Nov 12, 16 3:11 pm Post subject:
I would go for least grout lines. I loathe grout lines. If I could have a big piece of slate cut to match the floorplan of my house and craned in, that's what I would do.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46207
Location: yes

Posted: Sat Nov 12, 16 3:37 pm Post subject:
re grout if you don�t want the grout to show between the slates use dark grey or black grout and give the whole slab a polish with either fire black ( graphite in a wax/oil base in a tube, it only needs a bit) or a light and well buffed coat of black boot polish (not so good but easier to find in a hurry ).

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