Hearths

The fireplace hearth goes back in history as far as the fireplace itself. Even fireplaces excavated from pre-historic sites have evidence of a hearth. Today the hearth is a health and safety requirement for all fireplaces placed in new homes. They provide distance between the actual flames and the floors, curtains and other features that may be near the fireplace. The hearth also provides a safe place for sparks to land so they do not run the risk of catching fire.

In decades past, hearths were necessities. They are still needed today however many home owners choose to decorate their hearths. There are endless opportunities available to make the hearth as much of a decorative feature as the fireplace itself. Some choose to decorate with flame proof objects such as horse shoes and other metal objects. Some create a design on the hearth itself with tiles or other material. Those of an artistic nature may want to learn how to tile a fireplace hearth on their own.

Decorating the area around hearths is also a possibility. However one must use caution. Anything flammable should be placed well away from the hearth to avoid damage or even fires. The hearth rug is quite a popular item. They are non combustible and add the perfect touch to the area around the hearth. Stray sparks are not able to damage or ignite adding to the overall safety of the household.

There are other products and accessories that go with hearths. The hearth gate is a good idea especially if one has little experience building fires. Many time people want to overload the fireplace with wood. This creates the potential danger of burning logs shifting and even rolling out into the floor. The hearth gate can prevent this from happening again making the fireplace a much safer item in the home.

Hearth accessories such as these are quite widely available. Lennox hearth products as well as fireside hearth and home are excellent sources for the needs of the hearth.

The fireplace hearth is literally entwined with that of the fireplace itself. It seems that the two were inseparable in history and remain so to this present day. Hearths today are decorative as well as safety features providing that necessary buffer between the flames and the room. Caring for the hearth is as important as caring for the fireplace. The two go hand in hand.