What Can You Put Over a Stone Fireplace Hearth to Make It Safer?

A stone fireplace can transform a room, adding a classic touch year-round and providing a cozy source of heat during the winter. Fireplaces add ambiance and charm, but the hearth can be a potential source of danger if you have kids in the house. In that case, a fireplace hearth pad may be necessary to maximize the safety of your space.

Commercial fireplace hearth pads add cushion to the hearth, helping to minimize injuries if a child or other individual trips and collides with the fireplace. This padding can be a valuable investment in your family’s safety and your peace of mind.

How to Cover a Stone Fireplace Hearth to Make It Safer

To maximize the safety of your fireplace or stove hearth, you need to cover the brick or stone with a pad. You can find various padding options available for sale; these products are designed to fit over stone edges and corners, offering extra protection to kids (and adults) in case of a fall.

Unfortunately, many of these products offer minimal coverage. Some are designed specifically to fit over a corner or edge, but they leave the hard surface of the hearth base exposed. Often, the entire wall is exposed, so there’s still plenty of potential for injury.

That’s why Greatmats has a solution: Custom fireplace hearth pads. This custom pad slides over the stone area at the base of your fireplace, providing cushioning and enhancing the safety of the area. It’s a versatile option for residential use, and since it’s custom-built, you can ensure it fits the exact dimensions of your hearth and offers plenty of coverage.

What to Look for in Fireplace Hearth Pads

It’s important to choose the right padded option for your fireplace hearth. Look for the following qualities in a fireplace hearth pad.

Cushion

Make sure that the pad provides adequate cushioning. Thinner pads may help soften an impact, but injuries may still occur if the surface isn’t sufficiently padded. Look for several inches of padding and a shock-absorbing material for maximum safety.

Design and Coverage

Consider the pad’s overall design and coverage, and think about whether it reflects the areas in your hearth that pose a risk. Some pads cover corners, and others cover much more of the hearth surface. Corners and edges are some of the riskiest areas since they jut out, but a child could also fall onto the flat hearth surface and injure themselves. To truly maximize safety, look for padding that provides maximum coverage.

Dimensions

Some commercial hearth pads come in kits of standard dimensions, so you may need to trim them to fit your hearth. To ensure the perfect fit for your hearth’s specific dimensions, you might consider a custom-designed hearth pad, like those available through Greatmats.

Durability

Fireplace hearth pads may see lots of use, especially if your kids regularly play near or on the hearth. Look for a durable pad, such as one that’s stain-resistant, waterproof, scratch-resistant, and that features a durable shell or cover.

Ease of Installation

Consider how easily you can install the pads. Most pads feature some sort of adhesive on the bottom, such as hook-and-loop tape, that you can use to attach them to your hearth corners and sides. Be sure that you verify the installation method will work with your hearth’s design.

Color

Your fireplace hearth pad will remain in place for most, if not all, of the year. Padding available in various color options ensures you’ll be able to choose a color that coordinates with the rest of your room. Many pads are available in limited colors, so a custom-ordered pad might be the best solution.

Price

Fireplace hearth pads can vary significantly in price depending on factors like their size and overall design. While it’s important to consider your budget, remember that these pads can be a worthwhile investment, especially if they help prevent a serious injury and the associated medical bills.

Order Custom Fireplace Hearth Pads from Greatmats

At Greatmats, we're proud to offer a top-quality solution for covering your hearth and protecting your family. Our fireplace hearth pads can be custom ordered in the specific dimensions, design, and colors that you need. The result is a padding solution that’s easy to install, durable, and that looks great. Built to fit your specific hearth, the padding is a long-lasting investment in your home and your family’s safety.


These pads are a unique solution and aren’t listed on our website, so to learn more, contact the Greatmats customer support team. We're happy to help you design the padding that’s just right for your hearth, and we can place your custom order for you today.