Sorry for another noob question but after finally having my hearth framed and 3 layers of cement board applied, I ran into a problem. I used metal studs for the air space on the hearth pad (the cheap Home Depot ones) and I noticed when walking on the pad there was A LOT of flex in the floor. I did not use thin set between the cement boards which I know now would help. But I noticed the metal studs are flexing also. The studs are 25 ga, would getting 16 ga be much better and make the issue of flexing obsolete? Or should I use something else to create an air space below the pad? I would love to use micore but unfortunately no one sells it in the area. If anyone has used the thicker metal studs I would appreciate feedback on how it turned out for you. And I am open to any suggestions. The stove going on the pad will be tnc30 which requires r=1.50. Thanks in advance for the help, much appreciated.
Hearth Pad (with steel studs)
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Is there any way you could just slide more 25 ga studs between the existing studs? If you could, it seems like a pretty easy fix. I would bet that 25ga studs, 8 inches on center, would be a lot stronger than 16ga studs, 16 inches on center.
What is the distance between the metal studs? It should be 12" and they should be tied together as a rigid unit, then the cement board should be screwed to them so that a very solid box is created.
Are they on edge or laid flat?
Are they on edge or laid flat?
The studs are on edge at 8" centers. I even thought about trying 4" center if that would work. My concern would be tho, are 3 layers of wonderboard and a 500 lbs stove just too much for that gauge of metal stud. Also what do you mean as tied together? I have track set up on each end, and the studs are tied to that. Is that what you mean or more like a grid pattern? Also would laying the studs flat create better strength? On a side note, will any bag of thinset work for "glueing" the layers of cement board? I have a bag of versabond fortified thinset from Home Depot. Thanks again.
The steel studs they sell at home cheapo around me are non-structural. They are for drywall framing only.
I just finished my hearth, will post pics soon. I used wood 2x 4" framing then 3/4" plywood, a layer of micore, they 2 layers of cement board, then a mortar bed with slate layed into it. I had no visible flexing now, or during construction.
I just finished my hearth, will post pics soon. I used wood 2x 4" framing then 3/4" plywood, a layer of micore, they 2 layers of cement board, then a mortar bed with slate layed into it. I had no visible flexing now, or during construction.
Laying flat is better for these light gauge studs. Use grid ties for reinforcement. Pop rivet together to create a rigid unit. Once the cement board is screwed to this infrastructure, it will become very solid.
After something GlennMike mentioned, I looked into the use for these studs I have and I see mention they are non load bearing. Does that mean scrap these studs or like you mentioned BeGreen just lay them flat and use grid ties and it will be fine? Sorry for 1 question after another, just want to make sure I have all bases covered before I make another go at it.
Home Depot's website gives me the hives. Can you provide a link to the product?
I suspect it's not an issue. You are not using these studs per label. They are not working in a load bearing wall situation. With 12" spacing + a very rigid 1 1/2" deck above them, then are not going to collapse, nor flex. The weight of the stove and the cement board is distributed across the hearth so the load per sq in is quite reasonable.
I suspect it's not an issue. You are not using these studs per label. They are not working in a load bearing wall situation. With 12" spacing + a very rigid 1 1/2" deck above them, then are not going to collapse, nor flex. The weight of the stove and the cement board is distributed across the hearth so the load per sq in is quite reasonable.
I used the steel studs from home cheapo and put them 12'' on center in a grid pattern and then 2 sheets of cement board with micore sandwiched between. I used thinset between sheets, I finished it with slate tile. Very solid and granted I only have an insert on a small part of it but I would wouldn't hesitate to put a stove on it if I needed to. Heres a crappy cell phone pic.....
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GordonShumway said:
The answer to part of your original question is yes, 16 ga. studs will be at least twice as stiff as 25 ga.
Thin set will help, but will not make up for lack of rigidity.
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