We recently purchased a Quadra-Fire Mount Vernon AE stove on clearance. Installer just wants me to buy a pre-fabricated pad. I understand he's just trying to keep us safe, ease the installation process, protect himself from liability, etc, but we wanted more info on approved materials. In the end, he directed us to Quadra-Fire. And...you guessed it...QF directed us back to the installer! Could use some advice.
We want a hearth pad both as thin as possible and as small as possible (i.e., a footprint that cover's manufacturer's specs and no more) AND the protection we need. In the end, I'm leaning towards 1/2" hardibacker on the wood floor, then 1/2" micore, then another layer of 1/2" hardi followed by some thin set and a natural stone. Does this sound ok? Do I have to be careful about running a screw through more than 2 layers b/c of conductive heat? It's a corner install, and I'll take my hearth pad all the way back into the corner and under the exhaust pipe. I'd like for the stone to be thin, but not so much that it will crack under the weight of the stove's feet. Thoughts? Is there a way to go THINNER? Anything else I should consider?
We want a hearth pad both as thin as possible and as small as possible (i.e., a footprint that cover's manufacturer's specs and no more) AND the protection we need. In the end, I'm leaning towards 1/2" hardibacker on the wood floor, then 1/2" micore, then another layer of 1/2" hardi followed by some thin set and a natural stone. Does this sound ok? Do I have to be careful about running a screw through more than 2 layers b/c of conductive heat? It's a corner install, and I'll take my hearth pad all the way back into the corner and under the exhaust pipe. I'd like for the stone to be thin, but not so much that it will crack under the weight of the stove's feet. Thoughts? Is there a way to go THINNER? Anything else I should consider?
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