The hearth is the floor surface directly in front of the firebox opening — it’s what you step onto to tend the fire, where children sit closest to the warmth, and one of the most visible horizontal surfaces in the entire outdoor fireplace composition. A quality hearth stone makes a meaningful difference in the finished look and feel of a Broken Arrow outdoor fireplace. VistaScapes Design & Build selects, cuts, and installs hearth stone as part of every outdoor fireplace project.
Hearth Stone Options for Broken Arrow Outdoor Fireplaces
Pennsylvania Bluestone Hearth
Bluestone is the premier outdoor hearth material — dense, durable, frost-resistant, and beautiful. The blue-gray to brown-gold variation of natural bluestone creates a sophisticated, upscale look on the hearth surface. Typically installed in 2-inch-thick slabs sawn to the hearth dimensions. Pennsylvania bluestone remains cool to the touch even in Oklahoma summer sun, making it comfortable to walk on barefoot. Premium choice for Broken Arrow’s higher-end outdoor fireplace installations.
Oklahoma Limestone Hearth
Limestone cut to hearth size continues the exterior material of many Oklahoma limestone fireplaces onto the horizontal surface — material continuity throughout the composition. Warm buff tones, natural texture, and good durability. Slightly more porous than bluestone, so sealing is recommended for hearth limestone to prevent staining from ashes and water.
Flagstone Hearth
Irregular natural flagstone set in mortar creates a more informal, organic hearth look — works well with fieldstone fireplace exteriors where the irregular character of the stone carries through to the horizontal surface. More variation in thickness than sawn stone, requiring more skilled mortar work to achieve a level surface.
Poured Concrete Hearth
A poured concrete hearth — formed, poured, and potentially colored or textured — creates a clean, contemporary look that works with stucco or board-formed fireplace designs. Can be finished smooth, broom-textured, or exposed aggregate. Lower material cost than natural stone.
Raised Hearth vs. Grade-Level Hearth
Most of our Broken Arrow outdoor fireplace designs include a raised hearth — typically 12-18 inches above the patio grade. A raised hearth does three things:
- Provides additional seating: At 18 inches, the hearth surface is the same height as a standard seat — guests naturally use it as bench seating closest to the fire
- Elevates the firebox opening visually: A raised firebox sits at a more visible, comfortable height when seated — the fire is more visible from lounge chairs than a grade-level firebox
- Creates a clear architectural transition: The raised hearth defines the transition between patio surface and fireplace structure — a clear visual line that feels intentional rather than random
Planning an outdoor fireplace with a quality hearth stone in Broken Arrow? Call VistaScapes at 918-779-1317 or request a free design consultation. We’ll walk through hearth material options and design the full fireplace composition for your property.
