hearth extension ideas

[clearblue16]

hey all, so i am having a mason friend help me build a new hearth extension this week prior to my new insert being installed.....i have attached a picture....currently it is just a concrete slab that is painted black and flush with the hearth....i was thinking bricks on top of the concrete to raise it up and look good. it seems most bricks are unfinished on the top and bottom so you have to cut them and set them on the edge....but then the front edge of the hearth will have unfinished brick. I guess my other options are hearthstone or tile....are ceramic tiles these days good enough? too brittle? any mind blowing ideas? thanks!

 

[stovetop]

Id use some kind of mountain stone if it was my place

 

[gpcollen1]

Not sure what you have for native stone in the area. Around here, I would drive upstate NY to a few of the quarry/stone places and find some nice Bluestone slabs that i could cut and fit. If brick is what you want, I think it will look fine. The front would not have unfinished brick. You should be able to get some proper brick for this but id not, just lay on sides as you noted but you will have to have the end pointing out.

 

[cgeiger]

Brick, properly laid, could look just fine and I second the idea of finding native stone in your area. Of course, I'm not an interior designer but if you're going to consider stone to update the hearth floor, you may want to also consider it for the surround on the fireplace. Updating the whole look could increase your equity and/or bring you a lot of personal satisfaction and enjoyment.

As for ceramic tile it would be fine so long as you don't plan to move heavy things on it frequently. My hearth extension is ceramic tile and hasn't cracked (yet). Of course, I keep a few extra for the future in case we do have a crack.