Hearth for Fireplace—Is it necessary to have a hearth for a gas fireplace?

 A hearth is not mandatory for the building code if you have a gas-only fireplace. But it would look funny without one since we are all accustomed to seeing a hearth on a fireplace. The kind of hearth that is flush with the floor as shown in the photos is exactly what you want. It won’t get in the way of the furniture and be a block in the room like a raised hearth would.