Hearth too narrow for new pellet stove

[steppinthrax]

So luckily I didn't get the new stove yet. I'm in need of suggestions. I measured the hearth depth last night. I'm scratching my head as to what to do. I understand that wood stoves should be small enough to fit, but I don't want to go wood. The pellet stove I'm looking at is 23" whereas I'm working with 20.5" I'm not sure of any other options other than to go an insert (pellet) or have the hearth extended.

If I were to go with extending the hearth, I"m looking for what type of stone would work the best. I think I could get away with using some "topper" stone like a gray large stone (thick like 2" or so). Then build a wall in front underneath to support the overhang. I'm thinking just using 24" x 24" paver stones side by side, with a mortar bed underneath. So essentially I would encase the existing hearth in a shell of masonary.. If this is a good idea, HD dosen't seem to sell good stone, other than concrete paverstone which I don't want to use since it's concrete. I was looking at belgian block (granite block) but they are small, would only be suitable for a wall.

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