Fireplace Hearth Tiles

[nataliev]

Hi,

We've just ripped up the carpets in our lounge/diner to take a closer look at the floorboards which we intend to restore.
To our surprise we uncovered some decorative fireplace hearth tiles (which I'm pretty sure are original) for both fireplaces in the room...I've uploaded some pictures which hopefully you can see on the link below

http://cid-cf841ee239398c99.spaces.live.com/

Ideally I would love to retain/restore the tiles but there's a few things I'm unsure of and would be grateful for any advice that anyone has to offer.


1) The tiles are flush with the level of the floorboards - my understanding is that hearth's must now be raised in order to comply with regulations?

So we'd have to carefully remove all the tiles (several tiles around the edges are already shattered/cracked so we'd inevitably lose some) and reset them on a suitable (?) raised hearth.

2) If we do this, does anyone have advice on the best method? Or from your experience is such a job left best to professionals?

3) Any advice on the type of surround and insert would have typically been used? I've searched the internet for pictures but have struggled to find any with fully tiled decorative hearths. I was thinking along the lines of a cast iron surround and insert (without tiles running down either side).

After visiting a couple of period fireplace shops their general advice was to place a granite hearth over the original tiles (due to raised hearth regulation) - seems such a shame to do this.

Any advice would be much appreciated.
thanks

 

[njr_26]

When I was replacing an ugly 50s fireplace in our dining room I was told by a builder that you can get away with having a fender if you don't have a raised hearth.

I have an original fireplace and tiled hearth in the sitting room and it has matching tiles on a tiled cast iron insert and a marble painted slate surround.

I had some cracked tiles on the hearth, but I just glued them with araldite and they have been fine over the last two years of having a fire 5 months of the year every evening. You may be able to get matching tiles from ebay or salvage yards. It is worth carrying a photo with you when you visit such places!

 

[MdB]

Part J is here: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/4000000000503.html
Section 2.26 is what you want to read. A fender would be fine.

 

[Moo]

They are absolutely glorious tiles, and it would be a crime to interfere with them in any way that might compromise them.
I say, to hell with regulations; the house has survived for a long time without a raised hearth, so why would they be more of a hazard now than they were then?

 

[Penners]

I don't think such regulations can be applied retroactively, so since this hearth clearly existed before the regulations came into force, I don't believe that you're bound by them.

Whatever you do, don't try to lift these lovely tiles and relay them on a raised hearth - you'll ruin them. As others have suggested, just get a suitable fender and enjoy them where they are.

 

[Moo]

Another case of great minds thinking alike.

 

[Penners]

Isn't it great to be great?

 

[DaveBrigg]

Beautiful tiles indeed. The white flowers caught my eye because there are two designs which appear to be mirror images of each other. After closer inspection it looks like there may be other slight differences between each one, suggesting that they are individually decorated (or it could just be spots of paint)
The tiles will clean up fairly easily. A damp cloth should take off a lot of the dirt and what looks to be old plaster. I got paint off mine by carefully nudging each spot with the tip of a Stanley knife blade. We too have a cast iron fireplace with matching tiles in the surround; if anyone knows of somewhere which stocks a wide range of this sort of tile for replacements I'd love to know.

 

[nataliev]

Looks like fender's are the way forward then. Had a good look and have seen some beautiful cast iron ones.

Thanks v.much for the advice great ones!