Can I use Travertine for a Hearth??

[Stan001]

in fact I previously posted about hearth dimensions here ..

http://www.tilersforums.com/tiling-forum/25638-fireplace-advice.html

 

[Stan001]

Even good trav is about 5~10% resin – I personally wouldn’t go near it for a hearth ref metal tongues and cinder damage – as you say you can have custom cut two pieces of granite that will butt up to form an invisible joint (one for under the appliance and the other cut to legal dims at the front of the appliance to dims to the side to combustible materials and to front forward of the fire door). The front you can have bullnosed and it will still look perfect 10 years after your trav is trashed.

 

[DHTiling]

This obviously depends upon the thickness used as well...i can get trav bullnosed and 38 mm thick....but i do agree it isn't as hard wearing as granite ...

What ever is used it needs to be easily looked after...

 

[diamondtiling]

Even good trav is about 5~10% resin – I personally wouldn’t go near it for a hearth ref metal tongues and cinder damage – as you say you can have custom cut two pieces of granite that will butt up to form an invisible joint (one for under the appliance and the other cut to legal dims at the front of the appliance to dims to the side to combustible materials and to front forward of the fire door). The front you can have bullnosed and it will still look perfect 10 years after your trav is trashed.

The thing is Stan the chap is not asking about granite, his post is about travertine, he has not mentioned carpets at all. Travertine will be fine if laid correctly. There is no need for an overhang if the fire is in a kitchen with a tiled floor, the fire might be set right back, it might be a log burner. If he wants to use travertine it will work.

 

[DHTiling]

I think all points have been covered lads...

 

[Stan001]

yes it will work, but its soft compared to other stones, that was my only point. And fyi even if the hearth is over a non combustible (like tile) I believe there is a minimum rise above that (I think 12mm from memory) to meet regs - so you do unfortunately have to have that overhang, and you do therfore need something that wont chip or crack at the edges. As Dave says, if you go trav Id go for thick trav and bullnose it, it will still chip and possibly crack though. IMHO trav isn’t the right stuff for a hearth. (These laws apply to fire dogs as well as wood stoves etc.)

 

[Stan001]

ok Dave - they were my last comments (we posted at the same time) the regs cover the issues.

 

[bluevin123]

Thanks guys,
Some very interesting points raised there,I will take it all on board,just gotta speak to the customer now.
Will hopefully post pics when complete.
Cheers.
Vin.

 

[DHTiling]

Pics we look forward to..