Fireplace hearth - diff materials other than tiles

dibble35, Jan 29, 4:01pm
I'm getting an insert fireplace fitted sometime in the next 2-3 months, into an existing open fireplace. I have to extend the existing hearth out by 100mm - to make it 400mm. It is ugly terracotta tile over a concrete slab (which by the way shifts so is easily removed) surrounded by carpet. Rather than do another bigger concrete slab and tile over it what are some other options? I was wondering if stone pavers would work. a nice slab of limestone rock/schist or something.
rednicnz, Jan 29, 4:18pm
We used 40x40 slate for ours. You want something easy to clean as ash will get into anything porous.
dibble35, Jan 29, 4:25pm
Sounds nice, where did you buy it please. Want to have a look at what is out there. Was just talking to my dad about it, we were also wondering about a polished concrete slab with interesting texture bits added, I guess like exposed aggregate concrete but ground flat.
jacinda2059, Jan 29, 10:16pm
polished concrete looks good, you could make one yourself, I have used broken glass, coloured stones, etc grind , polish, seal.i use a diamond grinding pad
rednicnz, Jan 29, 10:49pm
The slate came from a tile shop ;) They also had very flat slate styled tiles but hubby wanted real slate so we have the rough surface. It looks lovely. They had a variety of sizes in the slate so we went for the ones that involved no cuts!
read-a-holic, Aug 9, 4:34am
did you do it yourself or did you get someone in to do it? if you got someone in do you remember who? this is something I am also looking at soon