Chimney Breast removed. What to do with floor now

[North]

Hi all,
We moved to an 1930 house last year which had the chimney breast removed downstairs and upstairs. Upstairs the gap was covered with new timber (you can see the cuts) but downstairs we still have the concrete base at the same level as the wooden floor which does not look very nice. We want now expose the wooden floor and are not sure what to do with the big rectangular concrete base. Any one has any ideas apart from cover the area with a rug?

 

[Burnerman]

You may find that the hearth was actually laid in two layers, so it might be possible to break the top layer away and allow you to extend your floor boards....which will be a difficult colour, unfortunately.
Failing that, would a stone / slate finish be acceptable?
John

 

[North]

Hi John,

I would prefer the first option even if the colour of the boards is different. In the case the Hearth is one solid block would it be easy to chisel it out to a depth enough to put boards back?

 

[Burnerman]

Thats a million dollar question......it could be an idea to hire a SDS breaker with a variety of chisels and give it a go.
The hearth may yield fine, but on the other hand it may not......impossible to tell, but once the job is done, thats it for ever!
With a good breaker and some decent graft, the job could be done in a few hours.
John

 

[North]

OK, Thanks a lot for your help.