Quick hearth pad question

[Machria]

Many of you seem to have raised up hearth pads, which means you just built or laid your hearth pad right on top of the existing floor. Fine in most cases, and even often looks nice.

In my case, I would like to keep my pad as low as possible, even flush with my exising floor if possible. My requirement is an R value of 0.4, so that is easy, two sheets of Dura rock, or a sheet of Dura rock and some tile/stone on top are 0.4.

My install is going on a 2nd floor, which has 3/4" plywood screwed to the joicing, and 3/4" oak flooring on top of that. The question is, can I simply cut out/remove the Oak flooring, and replace it with 3/4" Durarock next gen, and then lay my stone (1/2" Silver Slate) on top of it? That would meet the R value, and make it "almost" flush with my existing floor. OR, does this R value requirement need to be in addition to the exising flooring?

Thanks in advance for the help. I'm going to buy everyone on here a beer when I'm done!

 

[KaptJaq]

The question is, can I simply cut out/remove the Oak flooring, and replace it with 3/4" Durarock next gen, and then lay my stone (1/2" Silver Slate) on top of it?

You can do it as long as the non-combustible material exceeds the R value requirements of the stove and the hearth is structurally sound. It sounds like the criteria for R value is met. Will one layer of plywood plus durrock next gen plus slate adequately support your stove?

KaptJaq

 

[ridemgis]

I that the progress hybrid going on the second floor? If so, doesn't it weigh a gazillion pounds? I'd be inclined to keep the 3/4 inch flooring plus 3/4 sub-floor for strength.

 

[Machria]

I that the progress hybrid going on the second floor? If so, doesn't it weigh a gazillion pounds? I'd be inclined to keep the 3/4 inch flooring plus 3/4 sub-floor for strength.

Yep. And I've decided to put two laywers of 3/4" plywood down for it.

 

[Waulie]

You most certainly can. My hearth is 1/4" tile over 1/2" next gen over 3/4" subfloor. It is about 1/8" higher than my oak flooring.

You're not going to get much additional structural integrity by putting more plywood down. As long as your joists are properly sized and your framing is proper, you should have no problems with the weight of the stove. You existing plywood is plently is distribute the stove weight over the joists.

I'd really skip the extra plywood unless you specifically want it for extra height.