Help with hearth design

[kickstart24]

I'm looking for some advice on a hearth. Our firebox is 3" off the ground. We're going to install cultured stone on the fireplace wall from floor to ceiling. Originally we were planning on a 3" tall grey limestone hearth, but now I'm worried it will be a trip hazard with kids.

We're thinking about doing a thin hearth that's flush with the carpet, but then there would be a roughly 2" gap between the hearth and the bottom of the firebox. We would fill this gap with the cultured stone we're using on the wall, but I don't think I have ever seen this done. It seems like the hearth always run directly into the bottom of the fireplace.

Would it look weird to have a firebox elevated 2" above the level of the hearth and the gap filled with the wall stone? Or would you do no hearth at all? Or do a 3" tall hearth?

 

[begreen]

Is this a new gas fireplace? If yes, what does the manual list for requirements?

 

[kickstart24]

Is this a new gas fireplace? If yes, what does the manual list for requirements?

Gas fireplace. Manual says hearth not required. This is just for aesthetics

 

[begreen]

The flush hearth will look good but so will a raised one. Kids need to learn to respect fire. The hearth is not a play area or spot for rough-housing. Put in what pleases yourselves.

 

[stoveliker]

I did break (confirmed broken bones) my pinky toes a few times when I was a kid - on a 4 cm raised hearth. I guess I didn't learn.
Not from running but merely walking past as it was a main thoroughfare (?)

I would make it flush. Nothing wrong with that aesthetically imo.

 

[begreen]

It's different when not in a traffic path. Ours is raised 3/4". No one has tripped or stubbed their toes on it in the past 20 yrs.