How to build a "correct" heat shield

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burnwood

New Member
Sep 6, 2008
20
Western, MA
I need to build a heat shield between my wood stove and wood stairs which are about 4 feet away. Originally I was going to just hang a few large pieces of sheet metal, with air gaps in between. I am sure it would work fine, but I assume it wouldn't be much harder to build a more permanent solution. What about a wall made of metal studs and fire proof drywall on both sides. Or even two walls, with an inch or two in between? Or....whats the correct way to do this?
 
Ok. I was actually being generous. I didn't want you people to think I was an idiot for putting a wood stove 4 feet from a staircase. Its more like 3 feet. If I do need the heat shield, Would a 2x4 metal studded wall with fireproof drywall on both sides be sufficient?
 
What do the stove clearances in the manual call for?? I am sure that 36" is more then enough side clearance to be safe.... 8
 
I think 3' is fine . My rails are about 3 feet away and I have wood racks on both sides of the stove . The wood is about 10 " from the stove Ive been burning like that 24/7 for years . Even if you place wood on top of the stove it takes a long time to start to smolder . The finish on the rail will melt long before it starts to burn . John
 
Wall shields are usually built by well meaning people that don't need them. Your modern stove has a minimum required clearance to that combustible surface. Outside of that clearance you can stack balsa wood, newspapers, or anything wlse you might want to put there. Just think of how much heat you will be preventing from running up that staircase by building an unnecessary and unsightly shield.
 
Buy some "reflectix" you will be able to touch it with the back of your hand and it will be cool to the touch.


TS
 
My resolute acclaim pumps bairly any heat out of the sides. I have wood less then a foot away from it. This stove I havn't used yet, but its a 1/4" steel step stove. I have a feeling its going to throw some heat. The other reason is my house is a 1890's farm house. The floor joices are practically trees, and everything is really dry. My house would probably burn faster then gas. The wall would only be a few feet tall just to protect the stairs. I guess I'll hook up the stove (hopefully tomorrow) and see how much heat there is.
 
I think you will be fine . Even the old pot belly's don't throw much heat down by the floor . If you had a mantel, things would be different. John
 
Just fired up the stove, and man does it pump heat. From the front, sides and top! I couldn't be more happy with the stove, but I'm definitly going to need heat shields. I am going to build a wall with metal studs and use either cement board or fire proof drywall.
 
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