Portable Hearth Pad

I've been meaning to do this for a year so I can stop buying rugs. I have a ton (actually about 3 tons) of nearly free porcelain tile. I didn't want a permanent installation in front of the hearth that would require cutting the carpet etc. This is made of 1/2" MDF with 13"x20" tiles which match the entryway in the same room. The trim is outside corner moulding. The tiles are not permanently set and have about 1/8" of play all the way around. It isn't very heavy (maybe 40 lbs). After getting it done I think I made it too small. The front of the hearth is 48" and this is only 40". I just didn't feel like getting the tile saw out. I'll make a bigger one later and use this one to hold an indoor wood rack.



I was afraid the MDF would flex and the tile crack but it seems to be ok. I'm a very big boy and can stand on it without any cracking.

I assume you only need ember protection for this hearth pad extension . . . I would think that you would still want to lay down some metal or seal the joints with the tile though on the off chance a spark or ember could get between the tile and end up on the MDF.