Hearths
So you’ve decided on the style and size of your stone fireplace. Now you need to decide on what material you’re going to use for the hearth. This choice is subject to many factors, not least of which is what sort of fire you’re going to have. For stone fireplaces that are going to be used as tradional open fires, you need a good solid hard-wearing hearth. Something that can with stand the rigours that an open fire involves: Clunking coal buckets, soot, ash, hot coals, and all the rest. Traditionally hearths would be made from solid, baked clay tiles (quarry tiles for example) or flagstones, and sometimes brick. Some open fires were literally burnt straight on the hearth, which is the best way if the fire consists of solely wood, as wood burns most efficiently when lying on its own smouldering ash. If burning coal, then this should be done in a grate or a dog basket, as coal burns best when the ash can fall away, and air can reach the fire from beneath. Even though the fire in the latter case is not directly on the hearth, it still transmits a great deal of heat downwards onto the hearth, and the material therefore has to be tough. Clay quarry tiles and flags can both stand the rigours of this sort of fire. Slate is also used sometimes, but this can be dangerous, as it can sometimes explode if the layers expand too quickly in the heat, and is therefore probably best avoided!