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How To Install Hardwood Floors Around Fireplace

Laying hardwood flooring is relatively simple. You place the boards on the subfloor, fit the tongue-and-groove ends together, tap them to fit snugly and pin them to the subfloor with a staple nailer. However, simplicity goes out the window when you reach an obstacle such as a fireplace.

Can you put wood flooring in front of fireplace?

If you install a gas fireplace, no chimney, only a vent, it is considered an appliance not a real fireplace, so wood floor can go right up to the base Hearth extension shall extend at least 16 inches in front of, and 8 inches beyond each side of the fireplace opening.

Can Hearth be flush with floor?

If you decide to put the tile flush with the floor, you’ll have to make perfect cuts of the tile to keep the grout line the same width. The grout itself could crack over time where it contacts the wood floor leaving a blemish. Putting the tile lower and covering this contact point with a molding solves the problem.

What is shoe molding?

Paired with a baseboard and painted to match, shoe moulding (also called “base shoe”) is a thin strip of moulding that finishes out the look of baseboards. It can often be found in a curved or round shape similar to quarter round moulding.

What do you put on the floor in front of a fireplace?

Combustible Floors In order to install a gas fireplace you need to install a noncombustible floor made out of masonry — brick, stone or concrete — to protect both your subfloor and nearby walls.

What is code for fireplace surround?

The National Fire Code dictates that any combustible material (e.g., wood mantel or similar trim) must be at least six inches from the firebox opening. An additional inch of clearance is needed for every 1/8 inch the combustible material or trim protrudes.

How do you protect the floor in front of a fireplace?

Protecting Hardwood Floors from the Fireplace Always Use a Screen or Cover. One of the most consistent ways to protect your floors is never to operate the fireplace without a screen or cover. Extend the Hearth. Purchase a Hearth Pad or Fireplace Rug. Avoid Overly Hot Fires.

What is an undercut saw?

An undercut saw is a tool used in woodworking and construction. An undercut saw is very similar to a standard circular saw. In fact, it essentially is an upside down circular saw. Although it is used to cut materials, an undercut saw has a slightly different function and purpose than a standard circular saw.

What is a jamb saw used for?

A jamb saw is a special-purpose electric power saw that is designed to make undercuts around door jambs (casing at the bottom of the door). You will do these undercuts to slide in the laminate or wooden flooring below the door casing which will give it a clean appearance. Hence, they are also called undercut saws.

Do all fireplaces need a hearth?

A fireplace hearth is a necessity for all solid fuel burning fireplaces, including wood burning fireplaces and stoves. A hearth is not required for electric fireplaces but can be used to enhance the aesthetics of owning an electric fireplace that looks like other types of fireplaces, such as wood burning stoves.

Does a wood burning fireplace need a raised hearth?

Keep in mind that your wood-burning fireplace, however, definitely should have a hearth. A hearth helps protect your home from errant sparks that could turn an evening of roasting chestnuts into a traumatizing visit from the fire department.

Why are fireplaces elevated?

Wood fireplaces are commonly built with raised hearths and for good reason. To start with, a raised hearth provides a cozy place to sit and enjoy the warmth of your fire.

How much does it cost to build a fireplace surround?

A stone fireplace surround usually costs between $3,000 and $7,500 but could run anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000 or higher. The surround refers to any part of the fireplace built with stone, or the area surrounding the firebox.

What is difference between quarter round and shoe molding?

Quarter round is exactly as its name implies, one quarter of a round dowel. Shoe molding is much the same as quarter round, having the same 90° angle on the backside but instead of being a perfect quarter radius, its profile is a bit more squat.

Do you need quarter round with hardwood floors?

Answered by ContractorDon: He may be trying to speed up the process of laying the floor, yes you do need expansion room for the flooring to expand but between the space normally there where the sheetrock meets the wall and the baseboard it should be enough without the 1/4 round.

Can I use quarter round instead of baseboard?

While quarter rounds can jazz up a baseboard, they can also be used in lieu of baseboards. These pieces of wood will still join the gap between the floor and the wall, and they are usually a bit more flexible, allowing for pleasing visuals at a fraction of the cost.

What can I use around a fireplace?

10 Stylish Tile Options for Your Fireplace Surround Striated Naxos. Naxos, a white marble from Greece, is a great fit for glamorous fireplace surrounds. Handcrafted Crackle Brick. Metallic Porcelain. Wood-Look Porcelain. Sculptural Midcentury Ceramic. Carrara Marble. Hand-Painted Terra Cotta. Tesserae Mosaic.

Does a fireplace need a surround?

A fireplace does not always necessarily need a surround, but the requirements for a fireplace surround must be in line with local and national codes and building regulations. A fireplace can also look very bare if there’s no surround.

Can I put wood around my gas fireplace?

Wood trim enhances the beauty of gas fireplaces. Gas fireplaces have the versatility of being purely decorative or adding charm to the room as well as providing a heat source. At either setting, the heat is not intense enough to pose a fire danger, so you can safely install wood trim around a gas-powered fireplace.

Can I frame fireplace with wood?

Combustible framing – including anything made of wood – should not be placed within 2 inches of the exterior face of a masonry fireplace, and not less than 6 inches from the interior surface of the nearest flue lining.

Are wooden fire surrounds safe?

Unless you are going to use twin wall flue to protect combustibles then I would suggest you refrain from considering wooden beams or wooden surrounds.

How big should a fireplace surround be?

Your mantel should be wider than your fireplace. Typically, a mantel should be a minimum of 3 inches past the firebox on each side. However, more can be better. The average mantel is approximately 6 inches wider than the fireplace on either side, and some can be even wider.