Inglenook floor

[Woodsman Stuol]

I want to improve the floor in a stone built inglenook fireplace we have uncovered, ready to install a stove. At the moment it seems to be only dust and stone debris but dry and solid I have heavy slate slabs available that I could pave it with, cutting them to shape as required. is there any reason I shouldnt lay them straight onto the existing surface and point around them? they are heavy and wont go anywhere. The adjoining room is entirely slate floored.

 

[Kearn]

No reason at all. That’s how it would have been historically done… slabs/bricks/tiles onto the ground. Either use some soft soil, or plasterers sand to help get the levels right underneath and tamp down carefully.

Point it in line, as the bases of chimney stacks are hotspots for ground moisture accumulation so it will want to be able to evaporate.

 

[Woodsman Stuol]

No reason at all. That’s how it would have been historically done… slabs/bricks/tiles onto the ground. Either use some soft soil, or plasterers sand to help get the levels right underneath and tamp down carefully.

Point it in line, as the bases of chimney stacks are hotspots for ground moisture accumulation so it will want to be able to evaporate.

Thanks, that's exactly what I was thinking. I'm doing any pointing anywhere in the building with lime mortar.