How To Install Around A Fireplace?

Get it done the right way with hardwood floors installed around a fireplace. Some neat tricks DIY'ers don't know require planning. There's a powered gizmo today that can actually cut into brick tile or stone. It's called an undercut saw and makes for a stunning appearance rather than installing some ugly looking trim pieces where they don't belong.
The undercut saw is used primarily  for undercutting door casings so the flooring will slide underneath giving a more professional appearance.

There are several types of undercut saws, also called a jamb saw. It is adjustable for any flooring thickness and takes away the time consuming job of cutting wood door casings by hand.  For those that have experience cutting oak and other hardwoods, the jamb saw make the process look like a cake walk compared to cutting by hand.

Jamb saws can be adjusted for any depth desired, or any thickness of flooring as well. For best results when cutting door casings always use a sharp carbide blade and take your time with it. Without doing so, door casings can splinter quite easily.
 
Taking our suggestions of using a jam saw to some home builders for cutting door casings or plinth blocks may not be widely accepted. Often their response may be "ain't nobody touching my wood work." A small minority may prefer installing this type of trim after the hardwood floor is installed. However, with education and proper tools, a jamb saw cut can be more effective. Potential damage to the newly installed hardwood floor by careless trim carpenters is minimized.
 
For new construction with proper planning and communication you can avoid undercutting of hearths before the wood flooring is installed. Your stone mason can allow for the height difference of the new floor when he is doing his work. He will allow for the height of the flooring to be slid partially under the face of the hearth.
 
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Installation after undercutting

Picture framed hearth
 

   

Image courtesy newoods.com

 Image courtesy montanaranchforsale.com
Image courtesy thatsjake.com Picture frame around brick hearth
 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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