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What is a Corner Hearth?

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

A corner hearth is a kind of hearth that is fitted into the corner of a room beneath a fireplace or a stove. It is not especially common for chimneys to be built in such a way that the mouth of the fireplace is situated in the corner of the room, which is one of the main reasons why a corner hearth is usually fitted under a gas fireplace or a wood burning fireplace. In many cases, a corner hearth is installed in a small room and is located in that area so as not to take up too much space along one wall as with a classic hearth. Home stores and online retailers that sell such products usually sell kits and related materials that are needed to install corner hearths.

In most cases, a corner hearth is made up of three basic sections. One section fits under the stove or fireplace that the hearth will surround. The other two pieces cover the sections of wall to the right and left of the fireplace or stove. Depending on the size of the room and the style of the hearth, these two pieces may reach all the way to the ceiling. These three pieces keep the floor and walls safe from the heat that the fireplace or stove will emit.

Woman holding a book
Woman holding a book

For those who do not want to install their own corner hearth, the job can also be done by a professional. It is common for people to have these kinds of hearths installed in their homes when they are having an entire room remodeled. A corner hearth might also be fitted into a room that is being added on to a house. If, for example, a den was being added on to a house, the homeowners might decide to have a corner hearth installed to create an ambiance in the room and also to create a source of heat in the room.

There are a number of materials that can be used to build a corner hearth. Some are made out of stone, others out of brick or tile. Some are even made out of adobe. Just as there are many kinds of materials that can be used to build this kind of hearth, there are also a number of styles when it comes to corner hearths. Some are very sleek and modern, while others are rustic and made out of roughly hewn components.

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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