Glass Hearth?

[pyper]

We're going to get an insert. The hearth is 24.5", but the stove extends out 9", so we're a half inch short of 16".

The brick on the hearth is really sloppy (quality of masonry, not quality of brick... grrr....). Anyway I was thinking I could just tile over it with some thick tile, and pick up the necessary 1/2 inch. Then my wife suggested granite, which might be nice, and there's a granite counter top installer a block away.

But then I thought about glass -- one in thick and tempered, with rounded over edges and corners.

What do y'all think about the idea of glass for a hearth?

 

[BrowningBAR]

We're going to get an insert. The hearth is 24.5", but the stove extends out 9", so we're a half inch short of 16".

The brick on the hearth is really sloppy (quality of masonry, not quality of brick... grrr....). Anyway I was thinking I could just tile over it with some thick tile, and pick up the necessary 1/2 inch. Then my wife suggested granite, which might be nice, and there's a granite counter top installer a block away.

But then I thought about glass -- one in thick and tempered, with rounded over edges and corners.

What do y'all think about the idea of glass for a hearth?

Not sure if it was "glass", but transparent glass-like hearths have been done before. One of the manufacturers used this look in one of their lifestyle shots. I think it was Jotul.

 

[BrowningBAR]

Here's one:

Note: This is a gas stove. Proper R-Values would need to be met for wood stoves that require more than ember protection.

 

[jeff_t]

That would be different. What's underneath?

By the way BBAR, I'm also currently at zero arm burns as well, but the hair on my arms is slowly disappearing.

 

[WoodpileOCD]

Don't know how 'picky' you or your sig other are but I would think that glass would always look messy. I just go over my hearth with a hand broom and pick up the litter and it looks fine but don't know how that would look on glass. Just something to consider.

 

[BrowningBAR]

That would be different. What's underneath?

Some stoves only need ember protection. Which would mean nothing else would be required.

By the way BBAR, I'm also currently at zero arm burns as well, but the hair on my arms is slowly disappearing.

The wood burning season is still early! I hope to keep my arm burns, which usually take place just above the glove line, limited to equal or less than the number of stoves I have.

 

[pyper]

That would be different. What's underneath?

It's brick:



They painted all the brick because the hearth was rebuilt and they didn't match it the chimney. Doh. I really wish they had spend the money to hire someone who knew how to lay brick.

It's two vertical courses and one horizontal, so 10 inches of brick, plus mortar, which I think is about R 2.1.

The leading option right now is a Buck model 81. According to the manual, only ember protection is required. If we went with a different stove, then I'd need to check the manual.

If the hearth extended out 1/2 inch further, then we'd be set, but since we have to do something, the ability to cover over the sloppy brick at the same time is a plus. I've also thought about marble tiles. Glass tiles might be a reasonable option.

 

[kingquad]

Morso sells a tempered glass hearth extension pad.

 

[pyper]

Don't know how 'picky' you or your sig other are but I would think that glass would always look messy. I just go over my hearth with a hand broom and pick up the litter and it looks fine but don't know how that would look on glass. Just something to consider.

That's a good point to consider.

In our other house the hearth was flagstone, and I could never get all the debris with a hand broom -- stuff would always get stuck in the uneven surfaces of the stones. Then again, with glass you could just take a damp cloth and wipe it completely clean. I have a feeling we'll end up doing something with tile, just because it will be a faster way to complete the job.