Best Hearth Pad To Protect Your Floors From Embers

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Despite the introduction of electric kitchen appliances, many still prefer the traditional method of cooking over an open fire. It requires a lot of work, but when done right, it brings out all the delicious flavors of a dish. No wonder why many still love to use fireplaces, charcoal grills, and wood stoves! However, these old-fashioned cooking tools can damage the floors and cause house fires as hot, glowing embers could pop out the grill or stove while cooking. To keep everything safe, consider adding a hearth pad.

What Is a Hearth Pad and Why Do You Need One?

Notice how most fireplaces have an extended tiled area in front of the ash pit? This is what we call a hearth. Although it’s a must for homes with fireplaces not all have one due to the lack of space and budget. As an alternative, homeowners would use a hearth pad to protect their floors from embers.

Hearth pads are not just limited to fireplaces as they are commonly used for wood stoves, pellet stoves, and grills. Such solid fuel-burning appliances can cause serious fire hazards as glowing pellets, burning coal, and wood embers can shoot out of the opening of the stove or grill. Thus, adding a hearth pad underneath is recommended to help prevent scarring the floors.

Most hearth pads are made from ceramic tiles, steel, granite, and other natural tiles as these materials are strong enough to provide both ember and thermal protection. Other affordable options such as microfiber and woven fiberglass are available too, but they only offer ember protection. Despite that, these hearth pads are more convenient to use as the pads are light and thin, so you can easily carry them around the house.

Best Hearth Pads of All Time

Here are some of the best hearth pads you can buy on Amazon:

1. [FLASLD] Fireplace Hearth Rug

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Yes, having a fireplace at home helps us keep warm during the cold, winter months, but it could also pose a hazard as firewood can spark and explode. Firewood such as red cedar, conifers, pines, and poplar contain flammable tree saps that are highly likely to throw bits of hot wood out of the fireplace. So, as a precaution, place a hearth pad right in front of the fireplace opening as this can help catch escaping sparks and hot burned wood. We recommend choosing the FLASLD Fireplace Hearth Rug as it is made from fiberglass cloth, which has excellent fire and heat-resistant properties.

2. [Plow & Hearth] Fiberglass Hearth Pad

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Although a built-in hearth made from ceramic tile or natural stone is more durable, someone could trip or fall on it as it is usually slightly raised on the floor. The Plow & Hearth Fiberglass Hearth Pad is a much safer choice as it has a smooth finish that lies flat on the floor. In addition, it has a non-skid backing that keeps the hearth pad in place. Just like the FLASLD Fireplace Hearth Rug, this one is made from woven fiberglass, helping protect the floors from melting or smoldering due to hot, glowing embers.

3. [BAIPOK] Fireplace Hearth Pad

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It’s no surprise that pellet stoves and furnaces are among the most common causes of house fires. After all, such heating equipment produces high levels of carbon monoxide that is not only highly toxic but also flammable. Aside from investing in smoke detectors and fire distinguishers, consider also purchasing a hearth pad. The BAIPOK Fireplace Hearth Pad would be a great choice as it is made from refractory fiber cloth, which is eco-friendly and has high-temperature resistance. Plus, this hearth pad for pellet stoves and furnaces has a waterproof backing, helping prevent hardwood floors from rotting and warping.

Read more: How To Build A Brick Hearth

4. [BAIPOK] Wood Stove Hearth Pad

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People love barbecue parties because of the delicious grilled food and festive atmosphere. Plus, it’s a great chance to hang out with your family and friends! Just make sure to place a hearth pad underneath the barbecue grill to shield the deck floors from hot, charcoal embers just in case someone knocks over the grill. Keep in mind that charcoal takes time to go out and cool down, so it would be dangerous if bits of hot charcoal is spilled on a wooden deck floor. Use the BAIPOK Wood Stove Hearth Pad for barbecue grills as it is made from flame-retardant cloth. In addition, the edges are double-stitched to prevent the hearth pad from fraying easily.

5. [homenote] Under-Grill Hearth Pad

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Not all of us have an outdoor deck or patio at home, so some of us would have to travel far just to enjoy a barbecue party. Luckily, many beaches, lakes, and parks in America allow families and friends to organize outdoor grilling and barbecue parties. However, not all places have an available grill to use, leaving you with no choice but to buy and bring one. If that’s the case, don’t forget to purchase a hearth pad. We suggest choosing the Homenote Under-Grill Hearth Pad as it is foldable and light enough for you to carry. This is so convenient when traveling as it can be squeezed in at the back of the car and doesn’t add much baggage weight.

6. [SUNPRO] Fire Pit Hearth Pad

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Barbecue grills are not the only backyard hazard,  wood-burning fire pits are too. Although these are more common at campsites, some modern houses with spacious patios have fire pits. If your backyard patio has one, make sure to place it on a hearth pad to protect the floors from heat damage. The SUNPRO Fire Pit Hearth Pad is a great choice as it can withstand more than a thousand degrees!

The SUNPRO Fire Pit Hearth Pad is also unique as it doesn’t feel itchy, unlike many other hearth pads made out of fiberglass fabric. Not only that, but it also has a layer of thermal insulation cotton that helps slow down the transfer of heat from the fire pit to the floor.

7. [Tirifer] Fireproof Mat

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For barbecue grills, a hearth pad with thermal and ember protection is not enough. The hearth pad should also have a non-stick surface as grease splatters and oil spills are most likely to occur while grilling. Luckily, the Tirifer Fireproof Mat is among the many hearth pads with an oil and stain-resistant surface, making it easier to clean wooden decks. Moreover, it has an anti-skid backing to keep the mat in place. This also helps prevent the grill from falling, reducing the likelihood of spilling hot charcoal on the floor.

Read more: How To Remove A Brick Hearth

8. [KINGXBAR] Fireproof Mat

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Sone house parties last till midnight so it would be better to use a hearth pad that is visible at night. This way, the barbecue grill or wood stove is less likely to get knocked over as it can be spotted easily. It is a good thing that the KINGXBAR Fireproof Mat has reflective strips, making it more noticeable in the dark. Aside from that, this hearth pad has a fire-retardant surface, ideal for grills, wood stoves, and other outdoor cooking equipment.

FAQ About Hearth Pads

• Read more: How To Clean Concrete Fireplace Hearth

  What’s the right hearth pad size?

It depends on the size of the stove, grill, or fireplace. But to give you an idea, usually, regular wood stoves need a hearth pad of at least 48 inches long. Other wood stoves come with labels and manuals that indicate the right hearth pad size. As for pellet stoves, gas grills, and other heating and cooking equipment, a hearth pad smaller than 48 inches should be enough.

• How thick should a hearth pad be?

The standard hearth pad size should be at least 8 millimeters thick. But, it can be thicker as some hearth pads have more layers for better heat and ember protection. Some even have an extra layer of protection against oils and spills.

• Is it safe to place a hearth pad on a carpet?

It’s safe as long as the carpet is laid flat on the floor. Also, the hearth pad should have a heat protection feature. Not all have one, so make sure to read the label first before purchasing. 

Protect Your Floors with a Hearth Pad!

Hearth pads are more than just decorative mats for wood stoves, fireplaces, and gas grills. They also keep your floors in pristine condition as they are responsible for catching the hot, glowing embers shooting out from a stove or furnace. These hearth pads are also useful for barbecue parties and backyard night-outs as they can help protect the patio deck floors from grease and spills. If you want to buy one for your home, just go back and review some of our recommended hearth pads above!