Need help making a hearth pad

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kbeck

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Nov 16, 2014
4
North Shore, MA
I just ordered a Quadra-fire Mt Vernon E2 that will require a 40x40 hearth pad (corner). I like the look of the plain black steel hearth pads that seem to be only available in Europe. The only similar thing I can find is a Morso steel hearth plate, which works for appearance, but doesn't provide the 1.61 R value that I need. I am trying to decide if I can make one (unless anyone knows where I can buy one...). I would like it as thin as possible.

If I were to stack 2 pieces of 1/2 inch Micore 300 (R value 1.03), and then add the Morso steel pad on the top, would that be adequate? Do I need to add a layer of cement board to support the structure? How would I adhere the 3 (or 4) layers together?

I am not particularly handy...but looking to do this as cheaply as possible.
Thank you!
 
I can't speak for the Mt. Vernon, but I had a similar problem with my Classic Bay. For my stove, QF makes a floor pad that basically gives you a 1.5" air gap under the stove, and this will solve you R factor problem.
 
My neighbor built one for his wood stove so I was going to ask him the steps. Plus he offered me some free cement board to start with. If it is big enough, I will start with his free cement board.

Want cheap? Get a piece of blue stone big enough to cover the side, rear and front clearances, and that should do.

Bill
 
I just built one for my Englander a few weeks ago. I'm not carpenter, but found the project pretty simple and fun. I used a 1/2" piece of plywood for the base, then placed a 2 1/2" pieces of durock cement board on top of that. I then installed tile on top and trimmed it out to make it look a little nicer. I'm pretty impressed, and it only cost roughly $60. A lot cheaper than buying one.
 
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SteveA said:
I can't speak for the Mt. Vernon, but I had a similar problem with my Classic Bay. For my stove, QF makes a floor pad that basically gives you a 1.5" air gap under the stove, and this will solve you R factor problem.
Click to expand...

Any idea where these are available? I didn't find anything on the QF website...is it a basic hearth pad with tile, or was it something with another type of a top?
 
SingledadMI said:
I just built one for my Englander a few weeks ago. I'm not carpenter, but found the project pretty simple and fun. I used a 1/2" piece of plywood for the base, then placed a 2 1/2" pieces of durock cement board on top of that. I then installed tile on top and trimmed it out to make it look a little nicer. I'm pretty impressed, and it only cost roughly $60. A lot cheaper than buying one.
Click to expand...

Sounds simple! What did you use to secure the plywood and cement board together?
 
Drywall screws. Had some in the garage, so that was no added cost :) Even got a discount on the tile adhesive cuz it was an "opened package" at HD. Used grout caulk, and it was a super simple job!
 
I just screwed some 2x4's flat to the floor in the shape I wanted and then I lined it with some 3 mil plastic. I then mixed up concrete dyed to a nice color and poured it in. It set up for 3 days, I unscrewed the 2x4's and just cut the plastic flush with the bottom of the pad. Viola, hearth pad.
 
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Just found a local steel company that will cut a piece of 18 gauge steel for me, anybody know if I can just put that directly onto a few layers of micore and be done with it??
 
I stuck two 1/2" pieces of cement board together with tile adhesive, then I put tile on top of that. I didn't use any plywood as a base, the fiber reinforced cement board was strong enough, I got the tile at a surplus building supply real cheap.

Dave
 
kbeck said:
I just ordered a Quadra-fire Mt Vernon E2 that will require a 40x40 hearth pad (corner). I like the look of the plain black steel hearth pads that seem to be only available in Europe. The only similar thing I can find is a Morso steel hearth plate, which works for appearance, but doesn't provide the 1.61 R value that I need. I am trying to decide if I can make one (unless anyone knows where I can buy one...). I would like it as thin as possible.

If I were to stack 2 pieces of 1/2 inch Micore 300 (R value 1.03), and then add the Morso steel pad on the top, would that be adequate? Do I need to add a layer of cement board to support the structure? How would I adhere the 3 (or 4) layers together?

I am not particularly handy...but looking to do this as cheaply as possible.
Thank you!
Click to expand...

Kbeck, I might be missing something but does the Quad Mt. Vernon E2 require anything more than a non-combustible hearth pad? I'm looking at ordering a Mt. Vernon E2 insert and I read both insert and free standing stove's installation manual and it doesn;t say anything about R value requirement, just says a non-combustible floor protection is need for the stoves. I located this information on page 9 of the install manual found online.

If I'm missing something please let me know.

Thanks
 
probably have to go with whatever your local code requires
 
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