Floor Preparation Work... My 2nd Surprise

I recently learned that I need a 2.0 R-Value under my new stove and realized that the best way to go is with Micore 300 Fibreboard. Which was my 1st surprise as I first figured 2 or 3 sheets of Cement Board with Floor Tile on it would do fine.

Now my 2nd surprise is where to find the Micore at.

I've called Local Retail and Wholesale Building Suppliers, Big Box Building Supply Stores, Woodstove Dealers, etc, and no one has it in stock. A few of the places can order it, but by Full Units Only. Many also agreed that it is just not available local.

So then I decided that it's time to order some online, only to find out that every place I have checked on is Out of Stock!!

Trying to decide where to go from here....

Bill

Kamco Building Supply. They had plenty of it in their MA location and it was pretty cheap too.
http://kamcosupply.com/Locations/default.asp

They have offices in Alexandria and Hampton, VA. Looks like a 4hr drive for you. Yuck.

Have you tried USG's product finder? Looks like a couple building supply houses closer to you.
http://www.usg.com/where-to-buy.html

Appreciate the reply. I just called the Virginia store and they don't carry it. I called the Mass store and sure enough, they have it, but in 4 X 8 Ft Sheets only, which means shipping it would be too costly.

I did try the USG Product Finder earlier today and I even called USG Headquarters in Chicago, but no local dealers that stock it, and as mentioned they can order it, but in Full Units only.

I'm going to try some other Virginia USG Dealers.

Bill

Appreciate the reply.

I just called Appliances Connection and they are on Back Order.

Checked out the other two also, but they have no Phone Numbers. I would sure like to talk to the person first.

Also call USG Headquarters again in Chicago and learned that they only sell them in 4 X 8 Ft Sheets. Evidently the places that are selling them are cutting them up into 2 X 4 Sheets themselves. Pretty good idea for shipping purposes.

Bill

I was thinking about the Cubicle Dividers idea as a last resort if necessary. I may try that next week.

I also considered Fiberfrax and when I checked on it this morning I saw where it is from Australia and everything was in Metric. That is as far as I went with it, but I did just call just now. After being transfered to other people 3 times, I finally guy a Regional Rep who thought it was strange that Fiberfrax was recommended as that is not what it is designed for, but I got the same 'ol answer as the Micore. Full Unit Only. Not sold in individual pieces. It looks like the only chance is, is to try to get some from a contractor who installs it in the industry and there are also none of those in my area.

I'll go ahead and fix my signature later on today.

Thanks

Bill

I also checked on those boards and was told that they are about $500 a pop and I would need two. Also they will most likely not be the exact size I need, as I am custom building a special size floor in a corner with Floor Tile on it.

I am really surprised that this is this much of a problem. If I were in the Wood Stove business or if I owned a Fireplace and Stove Supply store. I would have plenty of Micore in stock. Not only would they have satisfied customers, but when you buy it in large sheets and cut it down, it seems to be pretty profitable. As mentioned above, when I found it in Mass, it was only $30 for a 4 X 8 Ft Sheet.

I would say that about 75% of all Wood Stoves installed would be over Combustible Floors. Would that be about correct?

Bill

Last year I found some at Atlantic Plywood - Richmond 804-553-1997
Was $35.30 per 4x8 sheet

Yes, I bought that Imperial stove board at our local ACE hardware here in Richmond. It was a different dimension, but was definitely Micore (it was printed on the back). Whoever told you $500 each had no idea what they were talking about. You can probably order it online from ACE and have it delivered to an ACE hardware store near you, if it isn't stocked locally.

If you can find the plain Micore at Atlantic Plywood, that'd be cheaper, since the stove boards have a thin metal covering to provide stability, and therefore cost more.

Looks interesting. I'm wondering if they can be cut down with a saw with a special blade?

Also wondering if you can install Tile on top of them?

Still 3 hours from me, but a whole lot better. I'll call Friday.

Thanks

That one actually has a better rating of 2.4. The one today from a stove outlet was only about 1.4.

Bill

Yeah, they were mixing up a stove board (which is a relatively inexpensive item, thin metal frame and cover over Micore, about 3/4" thick) with a prebuilt hearth pad (expensive, steel frame, heavy, several inches thick, with several layers, decorative finishes).

For my cabin, I just took the stove board and built a wooden frame from moulding and laid ceramic tile over it. I didn't grout the tile, since I may have to replace one (the stove board is not rigid, so it's possible a tile or two may eventually crack). I glued the tile to the metal stove board cover. The finished product looks good, but is not made for a living room.

Is this close to you OP?

Building Specialties
1639 Eastern Ave. NE Roanoke, VA 24012
540-342-6729

Yes, not far at all, but I already checked with them this morning. They don't have it in stock. They are one of the ones that told me that they could order it, but by full units only.

Thanks for trying.

Bill

Upon Pen's advice, I checked with my local Tractor Supply.

They have this one in stock:

http://www.tractorsupply.com/imperi...-36-in-w-x-52-in-h-slate-1021780#product_tabs

I believe I can make that work. I'll have to take a ride by and check on it.

Thanks

Bill

Yes, it's a telephoto shot, so it looks closer than it is. I use my IR thermometer to make sure none of the adjacent wood surfaces are getting too hot. Thanks for asking...safety first.

The answer is...

...Buying volume. There just aren't enough wood burners to justify having material on hand.

Think of how many units of material are taken up in the production of cube farms.

Cheers!

HehHeh . . . your cat reminded me of Olympic athlete McKayla Maroney . . . the cat does not look impressed.