how far should porcelain tile be away from a fireplace?

Question

I'm tiling around a direct vent fireplace. Should I leave an 1/8, 3/16 inch gap or larger for expansion or can I tile right up to the fireplace. The tiles will be on a horizontal plane (hearth).

Answer 1

It certainly wouldn't hurt to leave about 3/16". I'm sure there will be some expansion and contraction as the fireplace heats and cools. Thanks

Answer 2

hey papercut.

First of all one might hope that a hearth never gets hot enough not to touch. I used to enjoy sitting on th hearth of a full wall fireplace to play with sticks and marshmallows.

Any space, would "collect" residue; be it fireplace originated or normal in a household environment. You also don't mention what the facade of the fireplace is; IE: direct drywall; brick; field stone; etc....NOR the material of the "hearth"

After multiple thousands of sq. ft. of tile installations however; if you have expansion and contraction at the hearth; with tile; your issues will become more critical than a minor spacing where the hearth butts the body of the fireplace.

Steven Wolf

ADD ON: Porcelain/ceramic is fired at approx. 2300 degrees initially, for as much as 6 to 8 hours. You may never experience any expansion or contraction other than in the mortar choice