Glass Hearth Plate Experiences?

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FishNChips

FishNChips

Member
Sep 2, 2014
20
Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada
I would love to hear from others who have experience with glass hearth plates. I am installing a Morso 2110 in a room that has a beautiful hardwood floor. I like the look of glass but a secondary consideration is having as low a profile to the hearth pad as possible (to avoid tripping, stubbed toes, etc.). My installer is warning me about the risk that it could break if something heavy was dropped on it, etc.

I would love to hear from people who have gone this route about your experiences and whether you would recommend or discourage using a glass hearth plate.

Thanks in advance.
 
You might also want to check clearances. The last time we dealt with glass hearths they were made to US specs only and therefore would not meet code here in canada.
That being said the trend that i think is coming along for hearth is to have a granite counter top company supply you with a hearth cut from the stone you pick out and have it installed flush into the floor
 
We like our Morso glass hearth plate. Never stub our toes on it. It's got a bevel that makes for a nice thin edge.
 
My Jotul F55 is embers only protection so I went with a piece of 1/2" tempered glass to extend the hearth. My main reason was I wanted something that didn't permanently alter the nice floors. It's worked out great and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. The edges are beveled and I've dropped logs on it, banged fireplace tools, etc, no issues. You can see pics here.
 
The few I've seen had dust and fine debris that made its way under the edge of the glass. There is no way to remove it without tearing everything down. It looked pretty bad in an otherwise clean house.
 
webby3650 said:
The few I've seen had dust and fine debris that made its way under the edge of the glass. There is no way to remove it without tearing everything down. It looked pretty bad in an otherwise clean house.
Click to expand...

Morso recommends applying a small bead of silicone caulk around the perimeter of the base to seal it preventing dust from getting underneath. That's what I did and it does do the trick. The bead is thin and flush and is completely invisible.
 
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I do get some dust and debris under there occasionally, but it's limited to the edge of the glass and running the vacuum right up to it cleans it up no problem
 
Well, the Morso 2110 and the Morso glass hearth plate are installed. Thanks for the advice and encouragement. The drywall behind the stove was replaced w cement board and wood studs replaced w metal so all is non- combustible. The flue taps into the existing chimney behind wall, now lined. I'm psyched. I think it looks pretty nice.

Now, I just need my pregnant wife and toddler to go out for a few hours so that I can do the "burn-in" and stink the house up with toxic paint fumes...

Morso 2110 Installed.jpeg
 
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Gorgeous. The only thing missing now is :ZZZ

 
FishNChips said:
Well, the Morso 2110 and the Morso glass hearth plate are installed. Thanks for the advice and encouragement. The drywall behind the stove was replaced w cement board and wood studs replaced w metal so all is non- combustible. The flue taps into the existing chimney behind wall, now lined. I'm psyched. I think it looks pretty nice.

Now, I just need my pregnant wife and toddler to go out for a few hours so that I can do the "burn-in" and stink the house up with toxic paint fumes...

View attachment 143347
Click to expand...
Nice job! Super clean look!
 
Very clean and modern look . . .
 
Are you happy with the glass hearth? We're about to install one. Any tips on installation or setting the stove down on the glass? Thanks.
 
shanenest said:
Are you happy with the glass hearth? We're about to install one. Any tips on installation or setting the stove down on the glass? Thanks.
Click to expand...

#1 tip is to put an invisible micro bead of clear silicone caulk around the entire perimeter of the glass so dirt, dust and ash can't get up under your glass. Do that before setting the stove in place. As long as you gently set the stove down you should be fine.
 
I'm very happy with the glass pad (from Morso). I get a little bit nervous when guests walk on it, particularly near the edge (happened over the holidays), but so far it is working out well. I get lots of compliments on the look. I haven't put the bead of silicone around the edge, but agree that that would be a wise thing to do - I'm too busy with two infants and a toddler for stuff like this right now. I found some black furniture "coasters" (not sure what the correct term is) to put under the legs of the stove, which I think was a good thing to do, as the legs taper to a fairly small point, and the coasters spread out the load on the points of contact with the glass. I would say "go for it". Good luck!


Grace and Woodstove Jan 7 15.jpg
 
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Since we're talking about glass hearth pads I figured I'd add this photo from last evening of my mother-in-law and my son enjoying the warmth...

IMG_20150107_171421.jpg
 
mass_burner said:
Nice, very clean. How do keep split residue in check.
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7acres's suggestion of a bead of silicone is a good one; as I mentioned, I haven't done that yet. I've just been doing clean up with a broom and dustpan. I'm starting to get a little residue making its way underneath, but I'm hopeful that a vacuum with a furniture nozzle will suck that out before I eventually get around to sealing it up with silicone. The residue that you can see in my photo above (of January 7) is on the surface of the glass, rather than underneath it.
 
mass_burner said:
Nice, very clean. How do keep split residue in check.
Click to expand...

Good question. Several others have pointed out that such a clean look with the glass is in a contrast to the woody, punky, barky, ashy nature of wood stove use. As FishNChips noted, a broom and dustpan is the solution. After I load up I sweep up. Not much extra work.

And I've only used glass cleaner on the glass a couple times so far this year. And that's more because I'm a little OCD about the the hearth being clean and look at the glass from angles to detect any spots.
 
hey fishand chips, i like that tray you have under your rack, what is it exactly? where did you get it?
 
mass_burner said:
hey fishand chips, i like that tray you have under your rack, what is it exactly? where did you get it?
Click to expand...
I noticed that too and was wondering the same thing, help a couple brothers out FnC.
 
newatthis said:
Do the glass hearths scratch?
Click to expand...

Not so far. From what I understand they are simply tempered glass. I thought they might be pyroceram like the wood stove door glass is. But from my research I concluded they were just tempered glass.

I accidentally dropped vice grip pliars on the glass from about 3' and after filling my britches I realized there was no damage whatsoever.
 
I occasionally bang one of the heath tools against the glass and no issues so far.
 
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