I've almost settled on a stove, but now I'm not sure it will fit.

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TNCave

Member
Feb 4, 2009
55
TN
I'm really leaning toward the Napoleon Independence 1450.
It has a 2.25 cu. ft. firebox and is square: 18x18". I like the idea of being able to choose log positioning.
Unfortunately that makes the stove 27" deep. If I'm reading the manual correctly, just for floor space, I need 8" clearance on the back and 18" on the front.
I'm intending to put this on a hardwood floor, on a manufactured hearth, but doing the math, I need 53" of front to back floor protection.
I have about 40" maximum to work with. Is there anything I can do to reduce these clearances safely, am I reading it incorrectly, or do I need to look for a narrower stove.
In looking through the hearth pics on this website, about half of the stoves seem to have this type of floor clearance, while others have significantly less

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks again for all your help,

Cory
 
Usually it's about 16-18" minimum required from the door to the end of the hearth (to catch embers, etc.). It's usually about 8" at least to the rear. That leaves about 16" of a stove for you (assuming double-wall stovepipe to get reduced clearance from the pipe, not just the stove). So if you find a 16" deep stove, enjoy! Seriously, I think you need more than 40" to fit. Some smaller stoves might work assuming rear heat shields, and an on-hearth install into an existing lined masonry chimney?

Is there any way to add just a few inches? (not the first time I've heard that question... :)
 
I can't really get any more space unless I put it elsewhere in the house, which I may have to do.
Although it will be in a less desireable location.
The Englander nc-13 is only 14" deep, but requires 10" of clearance to the wall behind it.
Of course this is also a significantly smaller stove.

A lot of the hearths I see have tile that is flush with the hardwood floor.
This would allow me to have the recommended hearth size for my preferred stove/location, but it would have to be 3/4" thick rather than the recommended 1".

I may just have to move the stove to a smaller, less central location.

Any advice would be great as always.

Cory
 
There is nothing that's going to satisfy your specs except a very shallow stove. Maybe the englander 17vl? . A 40" deep hearth is not realistic for a 2 cu ft stove. Best to plan for a deeper hearth and double-wall pipe.
 
Well Poo, I guess I'll be finding somewhere elso to put it.
I have a healthy fear of house fires and am not looking to take any shortcuts when it comes to safety.

Cory
 
Hearthstone makes a really narrow stove they advertise as great for a hearth mount. Might want to check the specs.
 
I was going to say the same thing, you could look at the Homestead by Hearthstone. But you already know your limits and you understand you need to adhere to them. Remember, when measuring the front clearance for the hearth, it is measured from the glass of the stove, not the ash lip.
 
Using approved/listed double wall stove pipe, the Endeavor can be 4.25" from a non-protected surface. I have a prefab hearth pad, and with the tight rear clearance, the stove can sit further than 8" back (as in indicated in the Endeavor manual). I still have the required 16" in the front. Now, this prefab pad is 48" long, so that still exceeds your 40", but do keep in mind that there are some stoves that MAY not need the full 8" clearance on the back side of the hearth pad.

The Endeavor is as deep as it is wide, so you can load 18" splits N/S or E/W. Not trying to sell you one, just pointing out these facts as you consider locations and brands.
 
If you can sketch out the area, and the limitations, maybe someone here might have a couple ideas? A lot of us have faced similar challenges, and many folks on here have had some pretty creative ways to achieve a safe install of a desired stove...
 
PE stoves tend to have tighter clearances. Check out the mid-size models (Super 27, Spectrum etc.)
 
You can also buy an inexpensive stoveboard (made by Imperial Group of Canada) and use their spacer kit to place it vertically on the wall behind the stove. It puts an inch of airspace between the stoveboard and the wall behind it. (This would probably be okay for a cabin, but might look kind of tacky if you have a fancy living room). Also, some stoves can be ordered with optional rear heat shield to reduce clearances in the back.
 
Wow, that Hearthstone is a very nice looking stove. I'm assuming that it's out of my budget. I'm really not looking to spend more than $1500 on a stove.

I stopped by my local dealer today and he advised that I don't need the 1" thick hearth protection, but that 3/4" would be fine.
If I could get away with a 3/4" thick non-combustible floor protection, I could make it flush with my hardwood and have no problems.

My issue is that the 18" in front of the stove will stick out into a main walkway.
My very old house is mostly made of small rooms and in looking around and measuring last night, I don't really have a better location.

The Englander 17 I'm afraid is too small of a stove. The NC-13 is just a little smaller than I'm looking for and only 14" deep.

Please send scathing messages if 3/4" is too thin for my my hearth.

Thanks again,

Cory
 
Napoleon's docs give me the hives. They are terrible. There is no R value given. Just "If the stove is to be installed on a combustible floor, it must be placed on an approved non-combustible hearth pad, that extends 8” (200mm) beyond the stove sides and back, and 18” (455mm) to the front."

With the pedestal, I suspect the dealer is correct, but can't offer a definite assurance. Will this be a homemade hearth? If homemade on the subfloor I would lay down a sheet of metal, then 1/2" cement board and 1/4" tile.
 
I think that's a great idea - just remove hardwood and replace with sheet metal, Durock, and nice tile - maybe even do a larger area while you're in there if it would fit OK with the rest of the hallway/room? Then it's not as conspicuous as a few tiles sticking into the hallway...?
 
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