Fireplace flush hearth advice

modelreject

Hi,

I posted some time ago my progress with removing our fireplace surround. after successfully completing that I now need to tile the hearth.

I want it flush with the laminate flooring and think it will be possible. You can see an image of how everything looks at the moment...http://www.clintonbeattie.com/images/photo.JPG

You can see the original floorboards just resting on the constructional hearth. What I plan to do is use some self leveling compund after filling in the crater at the back to bring this level to the original flooring. The tiles will sit flush to the laminate at that height. My main query is, what about butting the tiles up to the laminate. I was thing the best thing to use would be grey flexible grout for in between the tiles and around the edges where the tiles are nearly hitting the laminate?

I was considering using grey caulk, but getting a match to grout could be difficult. What do you think?

Also, the tiles will be 300mm x 600mm which means there will be exactly 4 across fitting perfectly with grout added. It also means there will be less chance of movement. Another thing I factored in was that there will be no heat source here, so expansion and contraction will be minimal (I hope)


Many thanks,
C

cyclonebri1

Just ensure you obey the regs re distance from fire to non flammable surfaces, (that's a crappy way of putting it).

It all depends what you are putting in as a heat supply, the manf will supply all info, as will your installer.

keystone

modelreject wrote: »

Hi,

I posted some time ago my progress with removing our fireplace surround. after successfully completing that I now need to tile the hearth.

I want it flush with the laminate flooring and think it will be possible. You can see an image of how everything looks at the moment...http://www.clintonbeattie.com/images/photo.JPG

You can see the original floorboards just resting on the constructional hearth. What I plan to do is use some self leveling compund after filling in the crater at the back to bring this level to the original flooring. The tiles will sit flush to the laminate at that height. My main query is, what about butting the tiles up to the laminate. I was thing the best thing to use would be grey flexible grout for in between the tiles and around the edges where the tiles are nearly hitting the laminate?

I was considering using grey caulk, but getting a match to grout could be difficult. What do you think?

Also, the tiles will be 300mm x 600mm which means there will be exactly 4 across fitting perfectly with grout added. It also means there will be less chance of movement. Another thing I factored in was that there will be no heat source here, so expansion and contraction will be minimal (I hope)


Many thanks,
C

Leave a 5mm gap around the tiles as you must still have an expansion gap. Use a coloured flexible filler designed for this purpose between the laminate and the tiles - get this from the laminate supplier . Flex grout won't cut it.

Cheers

keystone

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Just ensure you obey the regs re distance from fire to non flammable surfaces, (that's a crappy way of putting it).

It all depends what you are putting in as a heat supply, the manf will supply all info, as will your installer.

Ummm

Another thing I factored in was that there will be no heat source here,

Cheers

modelreject

Thanks!. There is an issue and that is, the laminate has been installed before we moved in so we don't know who the supplier is and getting an exact match would be a bit of a 'mare. That's why I thought flexible grout. You think a grey sealant or caulk would so in that case?

keystone

You won't get an exact colour match but you will get something close or if you want use a completely contrasting colour. Best to use the correct product though IMO.

Cheers

Edit: Sorry just fallen in as regards something I wrote which was clearly confusing. When I said the laminate supplier I meant any laminate supplier.

Leif

Mapei do a coloured flexible silicone sealant, if that's what you are looking for. Do be aware that the colour on web sites won't match the actual colour.

keystone

You are right but I'd be loathe to use standard silicone sealant on the exposed edge of a laminate board. The "made for" product is probably a lot cheaper than Mapei sealants anyway.

Cheers

modelreject

I think I will try a couple if sealants. It's going to be tricky. Regarding the huge hole in the hearth I was just going to fill with broken bricks and then pour in cement, then use a self levelling compound. What do you think. As I said, we are not adding a stove but we may do in the future and it would be good to future proof this to save us ripping it out.

Thanks again. You've been great!

Leif

keystone wrote: »

You are right but I'd be loathe to use standard silicone sealant on the exposed edge of a laminate board. The "made for" product is probably a lot cheaper than Mapei sealants anyway.

Cheers

I am sure you are right.

cyclonebri1

keystone wrote: »

Ummm



Cheers

Ah, did miss the no heat source bit, but who knows what the next inhabitant will install in there, I'd say it is always good practice to leave what looks like a functioning hearth as a safe hearth.