Lower Raised Hearth Extension?

[rain22]

Hi all, new member here. I'm an experienced DIYer looking for advice and things to consider, not necessarily looking for a clear answer. Forgive me if I don't use all the right fireplace terminology.

I am about to replace the flooring in my living area, and it would be a good time to update my brick fireplace. The fireplace is on the ground level, sitting on concrete subfloor. I want to lower the raised hearth extension down to floor level. The hearth is about 10in off the floor, and it is tiled as you can see in the first pic. I can see brick below the tile (pic 2).

Is this simply a matter of carefully demo-ing the hearth extension, prepping surface, and tiling over? Is there any other factor to consider? I'm aware about needing at least 16" of non-combustible material in front of fireplace and 8" on the sides.

 

[gthomas785]

So you'll have the hearth at the height it is now, but the hearth extension flush with the floor? Just my opinion, but I think that will look weird and be difficult to operate. What will you do with the surround where it meets the existing hearth extension?

 

[Whitenuckler]

If you are totally redoing everything, then it should be no problem, just demo it. However if everything else is staying the same,
you are going to have to come up with the design on how to finish it along with the code floor protection. I have a similar raised
hearth extension in front of my wood fireplace(no longer in service). It is tiled (not like your marble) and ugly. I may paint the brick
and that extension and totally change the look.

 

[rain22]

So you'll have the hearth at the height it is now, but the hearth extension flush with the floor? Just my opinion, but I think that will look weird and be difficult to operate. What will you do with the surround where it meets the existing hearth extension?

Thanks, but I think I will like the look. Here are a couple of examples online:

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/03/3f/d2/033fd21fafd7cdc580ad8b42e4b2dd6a.jpg

https://stg.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/living-rooms/traditional-cape-cod-the-design-element-img~95c12c160fb26f1d_8321-1-eba7986-w500-h400-b0-p0.jpg

https://lh5.ggpht.com/-1I3TJr1VVI4/U8P5sMM5z5I/AAAAAAAApLY/Iif2728ql2s/Seaton%252520fireplace2_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800

As for the surround, it'll be a complete makeover, including the tile and mantle. Tile will be more contemporary and match the rest of the room. Mantle will be modernized and start at the floor.
What do you think?

 

[rain22]

If you are totally redoing everything, then it should be no problem, just demo it. However if everything else is staying the same,
you are going to have to come up with the design on how to finish it along with the code floor protection. I have a similar raised
hearth extension in front of my wood fireplace(no longer in service). It is tiled (not like your marble) and ugly. I may paint the brick
and that extension and totally change the look.

Thanks!
Once I remove the marble tile, I'll see if there is brick on the surround or just the hearth extension. I would consider keeping the brick and painting it if it's on the surround. As for the hearth extension though, it just takes up too much space and doesn't go with the rest of the house.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Thanks!
Once I remove the marble tile, I'll see if there is brick on the surround or just the hearth extension. I would consider keeping the brick and painting it if it's on the surround. As for the hearth extension though, it just takes up too much space and doesn't go with the rest of the house.

Well if you are not going to get any complaints with a work in progress smash away