The best method would be undercutting. You need an undercut saw with a diamond blade and the corners where it meets the wall or other vertivle obstructions can be problematic at best becasye the saw might not reach flish to the corner.

You could frame it, scribing the frame into it, but you would probably have to caulk to get it looking good unles you are a very exacting scribber and cutter.

I prefer to sun wood parallel to the floors joist system so there is no rolling between the joists over time. While this is less of a concern on floating floor systems, problems have occurred on inadequate or questionable subfloor systems in the past and in cases of a water leak.

If running wood parallel to the hearth wall, start on the hearth wall, doing the hearth cuts first which makes them easier to fit and install..

If running the wood perpendicular to the hearth wall, you can start anywhere, but start your row runs on the hearth wall, doing the hearth cuts first which makes them easier to fit and install.

if the hearth is in a corner, start on one of those walls (I recommend perpendicular to the joists), doing the hearth cuts first which makes them easier to fit and install.

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There are two ways to do any job. The right way and the wrong way. Do it right everytime.

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http://flooringworld.org/

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Thanks for the helpfull tips. I can see what you are saying about under cutting the brick, it might not cut all the way into the corner. My fireplace sits center against the wall and will have two corners to deal with. I am thinking when I remove the trim I might be able to cut into the corners, maybe? If not what do you suggest to use to finish the cuts in the corners.(chissels, drill?)I will probably end up cutting a little bit into the wall which happen to be stucco interior walls which shouldnt be a big deal. Also this time I will lay out the width outward from the fireplace to make sure I dont end up with a small width cut at the entry ways which I will cover with T-molding.

they do make flush cutting inside corner undercutting saws..

http://obscurity.ws/search.php?query=undercut saw

Baring that, yes you can use masonry bits and cold chisels for the rest.

_____________________________________________

There are two ways to do any job. The right way and the wrong way. Do it right everytime.

_____________________________________________

http://flooringworld.org/

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the link above broke .. here is a new one.

undercut saws:

http://obscurity.ws/search.php?query=undercut+saw

_____________________________________________

There are two ways to do any job. The right way and the wrong way. Do it right everytime.

_____________________________________________

http://flooringworld.org/

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