Hello. My girlfriend and I bought a home several months ago. Shortly after we moved in I gutted out the basement completely. It was finished but the PO didn't do such a good job. I ripped out everything! The floors, walls, and ceiling. Nothing but exposed concrete.
Anyways,... we have a wall that has a chimney. It was used for a wood stove. It has been used in a while because the PO got rid of his wood stove and replace it with a propane heater. Well I got rid of the heater and want a wood stove. Now he had a brick wall cemented up against the cinder block wall. But I ripped that down too. I did not like it at all. I want to build my own custom hearth. I have never owned a wood stove and built a hearth before. We do not have a wood stove yet. But I would like to start building the hearth soon.
I am having a bit of trouble deciding what I want for a hearth. I have checked the galleries here on this site and WOW, you guys have some nice hearths. I also saw online how one guy built his hearth by creating a frame covered with ceramic tiles. There are so many ways to make em. I am having trouble deciding what I want. Now I am a bit familar with the codes. A tiny bit. I know that a stove without heat shielding has to be 36" from the hearth. And with heat shielding it can be 12" from the wall. A UL rated stove. I would like a stove I can install 12" from the wall.
Also,... my girlfriend likes the idea of using those flat stones that can be cemented down to create a rock like face. Used alot on the outside of a house. I like this idea too. This would most likely require wood framing right? I never worked with stones and cement before. Masonry. I also like the idea of using nothing but stones or stone like brick and cement. No wooden framing. Because this seems to be more solid and longer lasting. I really dont want my hearth to crack and fall apart. I have seen many do so. Very unattractive.
Overal we are looking for a very natural earthy looking hearth. Here is a model I made as I was just playing around to see what I am wanting. It is actually pretty close to what we want. But the wall layout is exactly what we have in the basement wher ethe stove will be. Any tips or suggestion would be great. I am just wondering what is the best or most common way to make a hearth? I know there isnt a best way but what about a common?
Ok,... if I made an uber strong frame using 2x4's and several sheets of .75" plywood,... would I be able to cement stones to that? Would I have to worry about the cement cracking or anything? I saw some hearths where the area where the stove sits on top in thick. Like 12+ inches. Whats inside there to give that height? All conrete and stones? A wood frame?
Anyways,... we have a wall that has a chimney. It was used for a wood stove. It has been used in a while because the PO got rid of his wood stove and replace it with a propane heater. Well I got rid of the heater and want a wood stove. Now he had a brick wall cemented up against the cinder block wall. But I ripped that down too. I did not like it at all. I want to build my own custom hearth. I have never owned a wood stove and built a hearth before. We do not have a wood stove yet. But I would like to start building the hearth soon.
I am having a bit of trouble deciding what I want for a hearth. I have checked the galleries here on this site and WOW, you guys have some nice hearths. I also saw online how one guy built his hearth by creating a frame covered with ceramic tiles. There are so many ways to make em. I am having trouble deciding what I want. Now I am a bit familar with the codes. A tiny bit. I know that a stove without heat shielding has to be 36" from the hearth. And with heat shielding it can be 12" from the wall. A UL rated stove. I would like a stove I can install 12" from the wall.
Also,... my girlfriend likes the idea of using those flat stones that can be cemented down to create a rock like face. Used alot on the outside of a house. I like this idea too. This would most likely require wood framing right? I never worked with stones and cement before. Masonry. I also like the idea of using nothing but stones or stone like brick and cement. No wooden framing. Because this seems to be more solid and longer lasting. I really dont want my hearth to crack and fall apart. I have seen many do so. Very unattractive.
Overal we are looking for a very natural earthy looking hearth. Here is a model I made as I was just playing around to see what I am wanting. It is actually pretty close to what we want. But the wall layout is exactly what we have in the basement wher ethe stove will be. Any tips or suggestion would be great. I am just wondering what is the best or most common way to make a hearth? I know there isnt a best way but what about a common?
Ok,... if I made an uber strong frame using 2x4's and several sheets of .75" plywood,... would I be able to cement stones to that? Would I have to worry about the cement cracking or anything? I saw some hearths where the area where the stove sits on top in thick. Like 12+ inches. Whats inside there to give that height? All conrete and stones? A wood frame?