Wharfe Valley Hearths Blog

Let 2020 be the year you choose your new hearth. Here we have put together an overview to help you make the correct choice of hearth for your home. Let’s break it down a little…. 

Glass Hearths

Glass continues to be a very popular option; it is both sleek and modern in design whilst exceptionally straightforward to keep clean. A simple sweep of ash spills and a quick glass polish affords your beautiful flooring a fantastic opportunity to retain its charm and a seamless view; no interruptions other than your roaring stove and stunning wood or tiles. Glass hearths are suitable for all stoves, be it a wood, multi-fuel or gas operated system. We have many shapes and sizes held in stock.

Stone Hearths

A natural stone hearth will be a beautiful addition to your home, giving years of satisfaction when snuggled up in front of your warming fire! 

Concrete Hearths

Concrete offers a natural, minimalist urban vibe; with its chunky design, your stove will stand out from the crowd, elevating it to a new level in contemporary design! It is hard wearing and great for creating a focal point in your home, be it a living room or kitchen area. 

Concrete hearths are made to order, so you know it has been made especially for you! Being made of multiple stone particles, your concrete hearth can be left as natural as it comes or polished to remove any little holes that naturally occur in the production process, naturally matte grey or polished for a slightly glossy finish. Either way, no two are identical!

Granite Hearths

Granite hearths, whether polished or honed (matte) are immensely popular for all stoves. Granite is suited to all homes, being sturdy and sleek at the same time. Their versatility means they are suited to traditional and modern themes, depending upon your own home and décor preferences. 

A shiny polished granite can give a glamorous finish with its smooth shiny surface, whilst a matte finish affords an understated feel, both strong and durable for long term use.

Sandstone Hearths

Sandstone and Limestone hearths are another superb option, paler in colour than granite, their muted shades sliding effortlessly into your home with little fuss but nevertheless stunning appeal, setting your stove off to its perfect advantage. These are a little thicker than granite, ensuring the stone retains its natural looking status; strong but subtle and perfect for your home.

Bespoke Hearths

Bespoke hearths, made to order to suit your individual stove requirements offer an alternative when something else doesn’t quite fit the bill. All we need is a sketch detailing the measurements, material and thickness required, and we will do the rest. Sizes are restricted for delivery to ensure it reaches you in perfect condition. If you have a particular colour scheme in mind and want to match your hearth to it or blend perfectly, we can create beautiful coloured glass hearths in most shades of the rainbow! Just provide the RAL colour code. Allow plenty of time for custom hearths as they are made just for you and are simply a one-off!

You may notice a theme running through our hearth offering; they are designed to keep things simple! You just choose one that suits your needs the best and we will do the rest, there is sure to be one you will love!

We offer our selection of hearths to make your life easier, for catching ash spills and protecting your expensive flooring, whilst offering fast delivery to help your installation run to plan. Don’t delay; order today!

This may not seem like a difficult question as you know what you want, right?

Standard Size Hearths

Wharfe Valley Hearths stock a multitude of glass hearths, granite hearths (with 3 options), sandstone hearths (a further 2 options), limestone and concrete hearths.

These products are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, designed to meet the requirements of a vast range of stoves, to meet current regulations (please check with your manufacturers instructions or stove installer if you are unsure).

You may not know this, but you don’t always have to have a bespoke size to have a bespoke colour to suit your taste and decor! We offer glass in the colour of your choosing from the RAL colour chart, in a range of mid-dark colours to give you the unique look you desire. Paler colours, including white require a bespoke low iron glass or they may appear to have a green tinge.

Bespoke Hearths

This option gives you the opportunity to have a hearth that suits you perfectly, with dimensions and materials that complement your stove and home.

The hearth material is cut to your own dimensions. You may require this service if you have an awkward space to fill, or one of our standard hearths doesn’t quite meet the needs of your stove. Alternatively, you may simply fancy something a little different!

In addition to our stocked materials (glass, granite and limestone) we offer a bespoke cutting service for slate and other coloured stones for which quotations are available for sizes up to 1150mm x 1000mm. Further information can be found here https://wharfevalleyhearths.co.uk/bespoke-quote/.

Maintenance

All hearths require a degree of maintenance, whether it be polishing the glass to maintain its shine or sweeping debris from the hearth to ensure dirt particles aren’t left behind, to reduce the chance of scratching.

You may want to seal your stone hearth, to improve its life expectancy and assist in avoiding staining. Products are readily available in most DIY stores or your installer may offer this service.

Service

Whichever hearth you choose, be sure that Wharfe Valley Hearths will offer you the best service and product for your stove.

Standalone stoves not only keep your interiors warm and cosy but can add a touch of old-world charm and elegance too. With spectacular designs in both traditional and contemporary styles, they definitely increase the value of your property.

To get the most out of your lovely stove, be sure to invest in the most suitable hearth. There are many options, with slate and granite being two of the most popular choices. Let’s compare the two to help you choose the one that best suits your taste and requirements.

Resistance to Heat

Both slate and granite are strong enough to absorb the extreme heat that a stove produces although granite is more resistant to this. They don’t crack easily and are not readily affected by glowing embers or flying ash. Granite hearths are more resistant and can withstand the intense heat of a crackling wood or coal fire.

Durability

Both slate and granite are strong and durable stones.

Slate is a metamorphic rock derived from a shale-like sedimentary rock, which makes it softer than granite.

Granite, on the other hand, is an igneous rock derived from the solidification of magma below the earth’s surface.which gives it unbelievable strength and durability. It is an extremely hard and tough stone with high density and compressive strength. Granite hearths are significantly less impervious to scratches, scuffs, chipping or cracking.

Resistance to Staining

Slate is a virtually non-porous stone. This means your slate hearth is almost stain-proof and retains its beauty for decades. With slate hearths, you won’t have to seal or reseal the surface to protect it from staining. All hearths are sold unsealed.

Granite, on the other hand, whilst relatively non-porous, absorbs stains and spills more easily.. You may wish to treat your granite hearths with a sealant during installation so as to protect the surface from staining.

Maintenance

Maintenance is often a big factor when choosing a hearth for your fireplace. Both slate and granite require a little maintenance.. As slate can scratch easily, it is advisable to clean your slate hearth every day. This is to ensure there is no debris or dirt particles left that can scratch the surface.

Granite stains more easily, however, when treated with a sealant, that problem is solved to a great extent. Just mop off any accidental spills immediately before it soaks through.

Aesthetic Appeal

Both granite (smooth matte or polished finishes) and slate (smooth or riven finishes), offer something for everyone and offer a natural but impressive choice for your stove to sit on.

Being an igneous rock, granite is composed of different minerals like feldspar, mica and quartz; lending their own unique colour and texture.

Slate is a metamorphic rock formed from high-pressure solidification of shale or mud deposits.

A standalone stove is an excellent way to bring some warmth and style to your interiors this winter. They are ideal for small apartments that don’t have enough space for large, open fireplaces. While merging in perfectly with your limited space, standalone stoves are high on performance and generate enough heat to keep your interiors warm during the chilly winter months.

Getting the Hearth Right for Your Standalone Stove

Standalone stoves are extremely versatile. They can be placed at any convenient place, whether right in the middle of the wall or in a cosy corner. And with designs ranging from traditional to contemporary, your standalone stove can become a stunning focal point of your room.

However, when you want to enjoy the best from your standalone stove, the right hearth plate is absolutely essential.

Why Use a Hearth Plate?

The prime reason for placing a hearth plate beneath your standalone stove is to protect your combustible floor from the extreme heat. With regular use, your lovely floor can suffer damage from the heat produced by your stove.

A hearth plate acts as a barrier between the floor and the base of the stove. Made of non-combustible materials, the hearth does not allow heat to permeate and damage the floor beneath.

Secondly, a hearth plate collects any flying ashes or glowing embers that may fall on your floor and cause a fire. With a hearth plate installed, you are sure to maximise safety from potential fire hazards.

Thirdly, the floor plate acts as a demarcation area so you don’t place combustible items like rugs or carpets too near the stove.

And lastly, hearths are available in different materials that blend perfectly with your existing decor. All our stove hearths are made from premium grade limestone, slate, granite, sandstone, concrete or glass. With different styles ranging from square to semicircular to teardrop, our products are sure to add a touch of style and elegance to your interiors.

Hearth Plate Dimensions for Your Standalone Stove

It is important to conform to the UK’s hearth regulations

If your standalone stove is certified by the manufacturer to produce heat that’s no more than 1000C, the regulations are quite simple.

In such cases, the hearth should be wide enough all around to catch any hot flying debris or glowing embers that might affect your floor. It should adequately cover all three sides of the stove for complete safety and protection against potential fire hazards.

The hearth plate must measure at least 840mm x 840mm.

It should have a minimum space of 225mm in the front so as to catch any flying debris from the stove. For maximum security though, it is best to install a hearth plate that extends at least 300mm in front of the stove doors. Always check the measurements required with your stove installer.

The hearth plate should also be at least 12mm in thickness. At Wharfe Valley Hearths, all our hearths comply with the hearth regulations. Feel free to explore our exhaustive range of hearths to take your pick.

Of all the materials available, natural stones are one of the most preferred choices for hearths. And there are several options for you to choose from. You can either go for limestone, slate, granite or sandstone. Each of these stones is perfectly suited for hearths and has their own unique look, character and benefits.

It all depends on your personal liking and the decor. Let’s take a look at what makes each of these natural stones perfect for your standalone stove.

Limestone

Limestone is stunningly beautiful and astonishingly affordable. It is a highly fire-resistant stone that can absorb heat without cracking. Limestone hearths do not damage easily from falling embers or ash, making them a good choice for your stove.

Hearths made of limestone are highly resilient and do not dent easily. They are also resilient to scratches and the impact of regular exposure to heat. These hearths are very durable and can last for decades. You can safely invest in these fantastic hearths with complete confidence.

Limestone can be easily carved into any shape. Hearth plates made of limestone can be customised to fit your fireplace perfectly (maximum dimensions 1150mm x 1000mm). Limestone hearths are also very pleasing to the eye and come in both traditional and contemporary shades of cream and blue-grey.

Slate

Slate is a naturally occurring sedimentary rock that serves as an excellent material for hearths. Slate has a unique, uneven texture and riven and smooth slate is available.to order in bespoke sizes up to 1150mm x 1000mm. Irrespective of your existing decor, a slate hearth is guaranteed to increase its aesthetic appeal.

Slate hearths have excellent fire resistance and are extremely tough.

Granite

Granite is also a good choice when you want a premium hearth with all its practical benefits. Granite can withstand high heat and is perfectly compatible with gas, electricity or solid fuel stoves such as coal or wood.

For a more rustic look, choose a granite hearth with its natural matte colour with a smooth finish or opt for a polished surface for a trendier look.

Granite is also a very tough and durable stone and impervious to the effects of high heat. Once installed, your granite hearths will require almost no repair through the years.

Sandstone

Sandstone is a non-combustible natural stone that is a top choice for hearths. It is a thick and dense stone with a great capacity for thermal absorption and retention. It is not easily damaged by flying sparks or glowing embers.

Sandstone hearths are vailable in muted beige or grey.