Need to make a hearth pad...installing stove in the corner of a carpeted room. I'm thinking that since carpet has a life expectancy, (and mine is getting along in age), its going to be replaced at some point in the not too distant future. So I'm thinking it would be best to remove the carpet under the proposed hearth location, rather than simply planking down something on top of it.
So the question is, how do I remove the carpet in this corner? Or really, how do I re-secure the cut-edges of carpet around this new hearth? I understand how the carpet is attached now: tack strip. But I've never actually installed carpet, myself. I was under the impression that to use that, you need some special tools to get the edge of the carpet to attach tightly to the tack strip. ?
since this will just be about a 3' square, is there any other way to do it? glue? tacks? anything?
On the same subject, should I just build it "in place", or assemble the hearth on a bench, like we've seen demonstrated here so often? might be easier to build it in the basement, and move it into place when its done, since its such a small piece.
on the height issue:
The house has a tiled foyer, and also a small hearth in front of a pre-fab fireplace (that doesn't get used, because it just sucks heat out of the house. anyway...). The tile is the exact same height as the carpet. there's no transition strip between the carpet and tile. It was glued to a 1/4" backer, which was nailed to the osb subfloor. Most people that have documented their hearths here have used an extra layer of 3/4" plywood. Wondering why that is...or if its really necessary. It would make the tile height higher than the carpet. not that there's anything wrong with that...just that considering possible future flooring materials, height might be an issue. I guess it would be better to be elevated rather than depressed. If by some chance, I decide I want a hardwood floor in this room, those are typically 3/4" thick. Anyone forsee any issue with that? (I'm thinking about the transition between the hearth and the floor...a "shoe" or trim piece...I suppose anything can be done w/ a table saw).
thoughts appreciated....
So the question is, how do I remove the carpet in this corner? Or really, how do I re-secure the cut-edges of carpet around this new hearth? I understand how the carpet is attached now: tack strip. But I've never actually installed carpet, myself. I was under the impression that to use that, you need some special tools to get the edge of the carpet to attach tightly to the tack strip. ?
since this will just be about a 3' square, is there any other way to do it? glue? tacks? anything?
On the same subject, should I just build it "in place", or assemble the hearth on a bench, like we've seen demonstrated here so often? might be easier to build it in the basement, and move it into place when its done, since its such a small piece.
on the height issue:
The house has a tiled foyer, and also a small hearth in front of a pre-fab fireplace (that doesn't get used, because it just sucks heat out of the house. anyway...). The tile is the exact same height as the carpet. there's no transition strip between the carpet and tile. It was glued to a 1/4" backer, which was nailed to the osb subfloor. Most people that have documented their hearths here have used an extra layer of 3/4" plywood. Wondering why that is...or if its really necessary. It would make the tile height higher than the carpet. not that there's anything wrong with that...just that considering possible future flooring materials, height might be an issue. I guess it would be better to be elevated rather than depressed. If by some chance, I decide I want a hardwood floor in this room, those are typically 3/4" thick. Anyone forsee any issue with that? (I'm thinking about the transition between the hearth and the floor...a "shoe" or trim piece...I suppose anything can be done w/ a table saw).
thoughts appreciated....
