Build Brick Hearth Over Tile & Hardwood?

[HappyWarrior]

Looks like I typed "Heart" in the thread title. Sloppy typo!

We have a wood insert scheduled for installation on January 22nd. Here's how the old open fireplace looks now:


(broken image removed)

Due to local building codes requiring a hearth that extends out 18" from the insert, on a 1.5" thick non-flush hearth, and with a need to rip out the mantle due to non-conforming clearances, we want to:

1. Remove mantle
2. Remove existing tile and take everything back to drywall (which we'll need to refinish)
3. Build a brick hearth and brick surround, then paint it cream

Kind of like this (pic borrowed from HGTV website), except no mantle; we'll just continue the brick up to the ceiling:


(broken image removed)

I'm comfortable bricking up to the ceiling; it's just the hearth troubling me. We must bring it out 18" from the insert, and it must be 1.5" thick minimum. Pic below shows how far we'll need to come out:


(broken image removed)

As you can see, this needs to go over both the existing tile, and hardwood floor; the important point here is they are not flush; there's a tiny drop down (a matter of millimeters) from the tile to the wood floor.

What's the best way to tackle this? Right now my head is telling me to cut away the hardwood, strip the tile and then pour some cement to make a level "pad", upon which to lay the bricks for the hearth.

Is that a sound plan? Or would you do it another way?

Cheers!

 

[BrotherBart]

Fixed the title. Folks here will tell ya how to do it.

Welcome to h.c.

 

[Woody Stover]

I think you only need to satisfy the stove maker's clearances and floor protection R-values. Do local codes trump that? What would they know about what is safe with stoves? I don't know..

 

[Hogwildz]

Put cement board over tile, then lay brick, cultured stone hearth stones, whatever over top of the cement board. you'll have 2-3-3/4" thickness, problem solved. Why rip up the tile, just added work. If you like the wood mantle & surround, larger ones can be found to meet clearances, but they will be expensive. Of course you can make your own with 1'"x's and different trim or mouldings, for a fraction of the cost.

The one in your sample photos looks like stair posts on the ends. Anything can be made if you're handy with tools and imagination.

 

[Woody Stover]

Welcome, HW.

That chimney must be a tight fit for Santa...he had to take his pants off to make it!

 

[venator260]

If you want to go the route of tearing out the tile... my guess would be that your subfloor is even under both, its just that whatever backing material was used plus thinset plus tile ended up being just slightly thicker than the hardwood floor. So if you tear it all out, you should have a flat surface to start on.

 

[HappyWarrior]

Quick question again on this one - I assume I can add cement board over both the existing hardwood and the tile?

My goal is just to cut it to size, as per the below pic (red lines), and add a layer of tinset over the existing floor tile and the small amount of hardwood I'm also required to cover, for my 18" hearth requirement. I'll then brick over the cement board and add a thin brick decorate veneer.

 

[Hogwildz]

Yep. If all they are looking for is thickness. All you have to do is get to that thickness to appease the inspector. In the process, you should also meet any R or K values the stove you're looking at calls for, if any.