Hi...

Im going to attempt to install some hickory flooring (solid 3/4") in a room next week. One problem I have is there is a brick fireplace hearth at one end of the room about 9 inches above the current carpet, which is about 4 rows of brick. Ive done some reading especially on this website on options on how to handle this and would like to hear opinions and get some tips if people are willing to share. The options I know of are first to use an undercut saw to cut the brick and the install under the brick. If I do this how do I be careful enough not to chip too much or alter the structural integrity of the hearth? The second option would be to picture frame the hearth and then install the floor abutting the picture frame. Its still unclear to me how to handle the border of the picture frame and the brick (scribe it?). The third option is to undercut and picture frame, a combination of the other two methods.

Are there other options folks are willing to share?

What works best of the options I mention or others?

Any tips? like if I picture frame, how can I be careful to make sure the frame is exactly perpendicular to the abutting floor?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I can post a picture of the hearth if it helps.

Thanks in advance

undercutting the brick is a very messy way to go, plus you will have to chisel the brick out and more hassle and mess. Use quarter round around the fireplace and nail it into the floor. As far as keeping it perpendicular, it should already be perpendicular to the room. If it is a little off, you can either set your miter saw to the angle or use a little putty.

I used to get away with using a 4in grinder with a diamond blade for undercutting until I bought the Crain No. 825 with the dust port. It is dusty with the grinder but is possible if you have somone holding the shopvac hose on it and looks neater IMHO than quarter round. I usually go under an inch or so and most of the time I am just cutting out the mud below the first brick. Cut the top then the bottom then just snap off whats left.

There's some pics of undercut hearths on my site.

I took a look at your website... The fireplace I am referring to is pretty similar to the Bamboo picture toward the bottom of you page.

Any issues with damaging the structure if I decide to undercut. Im going to look at home depot to see if they have a saw for rent if I decide to do that since Im renting the flooring nailer there.

Thanks

I just went through this a few weeks ago. My brick hearth is curved so framing it was not an option. I bit the bullet and undercut it. My Home Depot tool rental shop had the Crain 812 for $18 for 4 hours, and I purchased my own diamond blade for about $40. The 812 has a port to hook it up to a shop vac and really it wasn't that bad dust wise; I make more of a mess when I have to do drywall repairs. I made 3 passes going deeper each time. After finishing the lower cut I noticed some dust escaping so I cleaned the shop vac filter and then went on to do the upper cut. Returned the saw well within the 4 hour rental window. I used a hammer and a 3/4" cold chisel to break out the bricks and for the most part they came out in big chunks. In the corners where the hearth meets the wall, I was not able to cut in the full depth so I used a Dremel tool with a carbide bit.

If you can get your hands on the 812 and the diamond blade I say go for it. Cost me about $60 and set me back a day, but I'm glad I did it. In my opinion it looks much cleaner than any molding or even framing.

I agree 100%, and I have done that many times. The prob is that noone usually want's to pay an extra $50 to do that, and you know what you had in it. That is what really plucks my nerves. People think I am being petty for charges like that to do a fireplace, but you can actually see what you have in it.

Thanks... I dont think my Home Depot has the Crain... I looked but should double check so I know whether or not its an option. I have an additional constraint that this is a snds urprise for my wife so time is short. She is going away and want to do the install while she is away. I think if I cant get my hands on a saw, Ill do the qtr round

Thats what the internet is for, just order you up one with the diamond blade and then sell it on ebay when your done.

The new model is the 825 http://www.coastaltool.com/a/crain/825_undercut_saw.htm