Hi,
I actually think bog-standard paving stones would look nice for a hearth.
Is there any reason not to use them? I was thinking of using fireproof screed under the grate and then coming out from the grate in a semicircle (well, a polygonal approximation) and using paving stones, fixed with a suitable adhesive, for the rest of the hearth. Would that be OK?
My tile-cutter is supposed to cut up to a thickness of 38mm. I've used it on brick slips 22mm thick and it's done a good job. There are paving stones available that are 24mm, 28mm and 32mm, so I am hoping the cutter will cut them too, maybe if I take the precaution of putting in a new grinding disc. Advice would be welcome.
(I realise that any salesman at a shop that sells both paving stones and fireplaces is likely to try to flog me an expensive everything-included fireplace and suck his teeth when I talk about making a hearth out of paving stones, but I'm aware that most kitchen tiles are fine for fireplaces even if they're not sold as such, and I've also installed the fireback and tiled the chimney breast myself and would like to make the hearth too.)
Thanks in advance!
Harry