DIY Hearth Pad Question

[Patrickl]

So my wife and I are building a new home in Anchorage, AK and it should be done next month. The house is 2200 sq ft, is an open design, and is 5-star energy rated. We've settled on two stoves, the Woodstock progress hybrid or the Jotul F-500 Osolo. My wife loves the looks of the Jotul but loves the features of the PH. She's not a big fan of the looks of the PH so it looks like we're going with the Jotul.

Now that we've settled on a stove I want to get the hearth pad built but this will be the first stove we've ever bought. Right now where the stove is going there is carpet. I know the size of the pad to build but I'm not sure about a few things. Do I need to remove the carpet from under the pad? I've been reading around that using Durock as an insulator is a good idea and cheap. We'd then cover it with some sort of slate or tile. Any advice you guys can give us would be very helpful.

Finally, the stove will be placed along an outside wall in the middle of the house. The builders put in the metalbestos and flashing so all we have to do it hook up the stove pipe to it. The ceiling in this area is two stories and vaulted so we have about 25ft from floor to ceiling. I've been told I should use double walled pipe for this run to maintain the heat and help the draft. Does anyone know the best place to get double walled pipe?

 

[raybonz]

So my wife and I are building a new home in Anchorage, AK and it should be done next month. The house is 2200 sq ft, is an open design, and is 5-star energy rated. We've settled on two stoves, the Woodstock progress hybrid or the Jotul F-500 Osolo. My wife loves the looks of the Jotul but loves the features of the PH. She's not a big fan of the looks of the PH so it looks like we're going with the Jotul.

Now that we've settled on a stove I want to get the hearth pad built but this will be the first stove we've ever bought. Right now where the stove is going there is carpet. I know the size of the pad to build but I'm not sure about a few things. Do I need to remove the carpet from under the pad? I've been reading around that using Durock as an insulator is a good idea and cheap. We'd then cover it with some sort of slate or tile. Any advice you guys can give us would be very helpful.

Finally, the stove will be placed along an outside wall in the middle of the house. The builders put in the metalbestos and flashing so all we have to do it hook up the stove pipe to it. The ceiling in this area is two stories and vaulted so we have about 25ft from floor to ceiling. I've been told I should use double walled pipe for this run to maintain the heat and help the draft. Does anyone know the best place to get double walled pipe?

Yes you must remove the carpet from under the hearth.. At the bare minimum you will need a plywood subfloor followed by a 1/2" layer of Durock NexGen then tile on top of that.. All layers must be thinset and screwed as durock recommends then grout the tile.. There is much info posted here with greater detail but that is the short version of the bare minimum for an ember protection only hearth. The Oslo F-500 is ember protection only and I am not sure of the PH's hearth needs.. Welcome to the forum and be sure to post pics

Good Luck!

Ray

 

[begreen]

I disagree. A hearth pad can be placed on top of the carpet. Perhaps it's not a good idea if the carpet is deep pile and the intent is to save it, but this can be done. That is as long as the hearth pad provides complete protection as per the stove manual. The F500 requires ember protection only so you should be fine with a simple hearth pad made of 3/4" plywood, 1/2" durock, tile.

 

[Patrickl]

Sounds like there's some disagreement. I don't want to have to remove the carpet if I can help it. I also don't care bout it but I want to put the stove in as easy as possible. Can anyone clarify for me whether the carpet has to come out or not?

 

[begreen]

Check out the major hearth pad mfg websites and see what they say.

 

[Jon1270]

The F500 requires ember protection only so you should be fine with a simple hearth pad made of 3/4" plywood, 1/2" durock, tile.

FWIW, 3/4 ply floating on carpet is not going to be very rigid, and will likely lead to cracking in the tile and/or grout. It's an aesthetic rather than a safety issue.

 

[raybonz]

Sounds like there's some disagreement. I don't want to have to remove the carpet if I can help it. I also don't care bout it but I want to put the stove in as easy as possible. Can anyone clarify for me whether the carpet has to come out or not?

BG is probably correct sorry if I created confusion. While it may be OK to do this ideally it would be best if you went to the subfloor.. He was a big help when I built my hearth..

Ray

 

[georgepds]

...At the bare minimum you will need a plywood subfloor followed by a 1/2" layer of Durock NexGen then tile on top of that.. ...

At bare minimum you'll need two layers of 1/2 in durock next gen. Each layer of durock has an r of 0.4, the progress hybrid requires an R of 0.8

 

[raybonz]

At bare minimum you'll need two layers of 1/2 in durock next gen. Each layer of durock has an r of 0.4, the progress hybrid requires an R of 0.8

Thanx George I was referring to the Oslo only needing ember protection. Durock Nexgen has an R-value of 0.39 per 1/2" so you might need 3 sheets instead of 2 if the inspector reads the specs and says they want it..

Ray

 

[Patrickl]

Thanks for all of the responses. My wife and I really don't want to deal with cutting a section out of our brand new carpet for fear it will cause it to wrinkle. I did mention to her building a raised hearth that I could reinforce better and then get plenty of Durock between the stove and the carpet. Right now I'm still working on her to change her mind and go with the Woodstock PH but I'm treading lightly

As I mentioned before I'm going to install the stove myself. Is www.dynamitebuys.com the best source for stove pipe and such? Also, is one brand particularly better then the other? I'm a firm believer in installing good quality stuff the first time but I don't want to spend more then I really need to.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[begreen]

If you want to avoid wrinkles in the carpet just put tack strips around the perimeter of the new hearth. They will hold the carpet tightly in place. Dynamite Buys are good folks to work with. Sean will fix you up well.

 

[georgepds]

Thanx George I was referring to the Oslo only needing ember protection. Durock Nexgen has an R-value of 0.39 per 1/2" so you might need 3 sheets instead of 2 if the inspector reads the specs and says they want it..

Ray

I missed the part about the Oslo...

For those inspectors who will split hairs, you can get away with two layers of Durock next gen. Each layer gives an R of 0.39 as Ray said.. but.... the 1/4 inch tile gives an R of 0.02.. putting you just at the 0.8 requirement for the PH.

 

[Adios Pantalones]

Seems like the question is answered.

Welcome aboard! When I read your name, in my head I say "Pa-trickle". Don't change it- it amuses me.

 

[The Frozen Chosen]

You can get your stovepipe from Wholesale Distributors of Alaska. They are down at the end of ship creek rd. just before the entrance into Elmendorf AFB. on the south side or the street. If. you are going up 20 ft.or so I would think you would also at least want a bracket to secure the pipe to the exterior wall or possibly support it with an alcove. You and I have very similar situations (I am 20 ft. to a vaulted ceiling) but my hearth requirements are much more strict. I have an Englander so I need 2 layers of micore 300. I am going down to subfloor then build up w/ 3/4 cdx plywood, 2 layers of micore,1 or maybe 2 layers of durrock, then tile. I (and I think you as well) will also tile the front face of the hearth. Maybe another small reason to think about removing the carpet. Hope this helps.

 

[nate379]

Talk to "The Carpet Man" they do good work and probably would have that rug cut and properly secured for under $100. They redid 2 rugs in my house last year, the nail strips had come unglued from the slab. Glueing all them back down, restretching and cleaning cost me around $300.

Spenard Builders Supply has the best prices for pipe. If you want to get a deal let me know, I have an account with them and I get 10-20% off sticker price depending on what it is.

Thanks for all of the responses. My wife and I really don't want to deal with cutting a section out of our brand new carpet for fear it will cause it to wrinkle. I did mention to her building a raised hearth that I could reinforce better and then get plenty of Durock between the stove and the carpet. Right now I'm still working on her to change her mind and go with the Woodstock PH but I'm treading lightly

As I mentioned before I'm going to install the stove myself. Is www.dynamitebuys.com the best source for stove pipe and such? Also, is one brand particularly better then the other? I'm a firm believer in installing good quality stuff the first time but I don't want to spend more then I really need to.

Thanks again for all the help.