5. Installation - new hearth in an upper xxxfloor (b) A more elegant approach is to cut through the floor and inset the hearth slab down into it so that it is more or less flush with surrounding floor boards. XXOf course cutting through joists weakens the floor so that some alternative support from below is necessary. The illustration at right shows one of several possible ways to provide support; the bracket is bolted to the wall at ground level and may be aesthetically acceptable if it can be accomodated within a utility room or cupboard, or camouflaged in some way. XXAgain, Building Control may want a structural engineer's certificate to certify that your proposals are completely safe.