Homemade Hearth Extension & Mantle Shield Finished Pictures

[thinkxingu]

Final results pics of my hearth extension and mantle shield (before & after/Mini Schnauzer pup 'approving' it). Some info below. Thanks for all the help!

S

Stove
Hearthstone Homestead with surround, hearth mounted with stainless liner

Hearth Extension (required R value = 2.5)
--2 Layers Durock (top and bottom, R.52)
--2 Layers Micore (middle, R2.06)
--1 Layer 12" tile (.002)
--Trimmed with oak base, held with liquid nails/brads, stained

Mantle Shield
--20 Gauge Steel (overkill, but piece was cut for me out of scrap=free!)
--Painted w/flat black stove paint

 

[i3bpvh]

Your hearth looks similar to mine, only had the 2 rows of bricks on top. What I did was add another row of brick to the front. I have no mason skill, first time, but what I did was lay a row of 8x16x4 cinder block across the front, then lay matching brick across the front and sides. I had to cut a few bricks to fit, and had to use 2 1/2 bags of mortar, but I have to say it came out o.k. Most people can't tell the difference. I got the brick at a local shop, had to pick through about 300 to find the right 50 I needed, but it was worth it. I had the luxury of having carpet in front to cover up mistakes, but it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Took about 5 hours... and 2 trips to HD for more mortar.

btw, here is my new P.E. pacific, not too shabby

 

[Joey]

You could use a nice piece of 3/4 inch slate, maybe a piece 24x48 inches. I would venture to guess your hardwood flooring is 3/4 inch oak. You could counter sink that slate right into the oak, very easily. It would be flush mounted with no lip and look spectacular. Its an easy project with a circular saw. Couldnt give ya a price on the stone in your area. Just an idea. I dont like the idea of a black hearth pad in your beautiful living room. Good luck.

 

[thinkxingu]

Hello There,
i3bpvh, I thought about that, but I would need 4 courses to get the 16" I need, which would be too much work/hassle for me. Whatever I do, I would like to move in summer.

Joey, I've seen the option of slate or other stone, but how do I get to the required R2.5? It looks like slate is only .2 at that thickness.

Thanks,

S

 

[thinkxingu]

See edit, above.

 

[firefighterjake]

I realize this thread was posted in late October . . . but just in case . . . I would personally screw and use thinset . . . to make sure things didn't shift.

 

[begreen]

Yes, always screw the sandwich to the underlayment using cement board screws.

How high is the current hearth? If around 9+", seems like the R value would be low and ember protection the greater concern.

 

[thinkxingu]

See update, above.

S

 

[tickbitty]

That install looks super, I agree with the shnauzer!
ANd to the other guy 1bp3whatever, boy you would NEVER know you are not a mason, that's an amazing job and you did a way better job matching that brick/mortar than I think I have ever seen.

 

[jtp10181]

That stove really needs R value 2.5? Thats insane... I think most quad stoves only need R 0.84 and the 7100FP is a little more, it needs two sheets of 1/2" HX4 (micore).