rebuilding hearth photos needed

[kwikrp]

We are putting down new floors and are interested in redoing our wood stove hearth. It is in a corner of a room. Right now it is made with red bricks and black mortar. We are intersted in more of a modern look. The tile stores and contractors have been suggesting either a granite, marble, or traverteen(spelling). How do they handle the heat ? I would perfer something that reflects the heat better that absorbs it. Any Photos of your would help greatly!

 

[Dakotas Dad]

This is what we ended up with. we think it looks good. I don't know about reflecting vs holding heat, doesn't get to hot when the stove is running wide open. It is tile from Lowes, over two layers of wonderboard, attached to steel 2x frame work. Cherry surround.

 

[kwikrp]

I like it. So is it ceramic or porcelin tile. Do you have any on the walls?

 

[Dakotas Dad]

It's ceramic, 13x13, called "canyon slate", only about $1.25 a tile.. on the walls we went with a different tile. We are not finished yet, we were hoping to paint this weekend, but a big Alberta clipper is tearing through here and she didn't want to shut the stove down.. and I didn't really feel like painting.. so it didn't get done. I am building a matching cherry mantel and surround.

 

[spendaviscpa]

I went with a marble tile and a cherry mantel. I put the tile down 5+ years ago and I just finished putting the mantel together last month. I have a few more tidbits to finish. I really wish I would have went with a hearth stove. I'll never do an insert again! Only if I would have found this site 5+ years ago!

I look forward to your finished pictures and good luck.

(first time attaching pictures in the forum.)