The hearth is often the heart of the living room. This functional and timeless architectural element can be the showcase of the space when you know how to choose hearth tiles for your fireplace.
What is a Hearth?
The hearth is the space that buffers the interior of the fireplace from the flooring of the room. This transition or buffer space is often a different material than the surrounding flooring because of the additional heat requirements the area faces. Hearth tiles have a few key requirements.
They need to be resistant to heat, complement the fireplace and surrounding mantel, and create a chic pairing for the surrounding flooring. Once you add a hearth, it will be there for many years to come so make sure to select a style that will stand up to the test of time.
With so many different hearth tile options to choose from, narrowing it down to your favorite can be a challenge. Start by learning which materials make a suitable option for the hearth. Our favorite choices include:
Slate:
When you are looking for something with a rustic touch, slate tile makes a fantastic option.
Marble:
When you’re looking for elegance, marble is a classic choice. This natural stone features natural tone variations and can come in very monochromatic or very variegated looks, depending on which look you prefer.
Granite:
When you want something that is built to last, granite is the way to go because it is the strongest of all the stone tiles.
Porcelain:
Porcelain tile comes in a range of different grades. When it comes to tiling a fireplace hearth, choosing a glazed porcelain tile makes the best choice because they are denser and more durable that non-glazed or porcelain tiles.
Travertine:
One of the great things about travertine is that it can be used for both the heart and the floor of the living space, much like marble or other durable natural stone tiles.
Terra-Cotta:
Lend a little southwestern flair into your home decor by using terra cotta tiles to create a rustic and casual hearth surround.
