How hot does a fireplace hearth riser get? (tiles, design, oak)

[gsm113]

The reason I am asking is because I am choosing materials and I don't want to choose something that will burn. Some of the glazed tiles I've been looking at can't have a high exposure to heat.
This will be for the outside of a fireplace.
Thanks...

[K'ledgeBldr]

I don't know what "high heat exposure" actually means from a tile manufacturer. Especially since tiles are fired to cure- in excess of 1000F.
But, if it's any consulation-
Testing conducted by a major laboratory revealed that between 80 percent and 90 percent of the heat produced by wood burned in an open fireplace is lost up the chimney. And the same is true for gas log F/pl's.

[lifelongMOgal]

They can get as hot as one builds the fire. It is not unusual to see marble fireplace surrounds and hearth risers brack because a homeowner built too hot of a fire. If you have a gas only fireplace probably not too much of a concern but with a wood burning fireplace you should seek out those tiles and ground designed to take the higher temps.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Originally Posted by lifelongMOgal

...because a homeowner built too hot of a fire. If you have a gas only fireplace probably not too much of a concern but with a wood burning fireplace you should seek out those tiles and ground designed to take the higher temps.

Really?
A typical wood burning fire (red oak) burns from 575F to 1100F. The main energy in the wood is released when fuel vapors
containing approximately 50% of the energy burn.
After burning fuel vapors and evaporating the moisture,
only charcoal remains burning at temperatures higher than 1100o F.
Natural gas burns at tempertures exceeding 3600F.
But, as I stated before, 80-90% of that heat goes up the chimney.

[brien51]

This being an outside fireplace, you would be wise to stick to flatstone and you have no worries. It looks natural and will absorb all of the heat you can dole out on that kind of FP.