I'm having porcelain tile installed throughout the living area of my home, and contractors seem to be divided on whether to bring the floor tile right up to the fireplace or design a "skirt." The fireplace is flush to the floor, and currently the marble tile in the surround also forms the protective "skirt" on the floor. I'm going to replace the surround with marble or granite. One contractor said the "new" way is to bring the floor tile right up to the hearth. I was thinking there should be a "skirt" in the same marble as on the surround to kind of balance the look.

Can anyone help me on this?