Home Depot metal studs.. Anyone made a hearth from them?

[SpAmSoNiTe]

Hey all,

Been trying to find some metal studs thicker than 25 or 22 ga. but none of the drywall or commercial building outfits seem to stock them or won't let me buy the few I was looking for to build my hearth for the Englander. I was wondering if anyone could chime in that had used the Home Depot/Lowes studs how their hearths have been holding up? I'm thinking about going with the 2 1/2", 25 gauge studs, 6" O.C., riveted together. On top would be two layers of Durock and then tile. I may even consider putting two pieces of stud together to form a box instead of a "C" channel, but I don't know how well that would fit in the track. Would be my first time working with metal studs. Any thoughts, oh ones who art more wiser than I with such things?

~Sam.

 

[Rebelduckman]

Hey all,

Been trying to find some metal studs thicker than 25 or 22 ga. but none of the drywall or commercial building outfits seem to stock them or won't let me buy the few I was looking for to build my hearth for the Englander. I was wondering if anyone could chime in that had used the Home Depot/Lowes studs how their hearths have been holding up? I'm thinking about going with the 2 1/2", 25 gauge studs, 6" O.C., riveted together. On top would be two layers of Durock and then tile. I may even consider putting two pieces of stud together to form a box instead of a "C" channel, but I don't know how well that would fit in the track. Would be my first time working with metal studs. Any thoughts, oh ones who art more wiser than I with such things?
~Sam.

I looked at them when I was in the process of building a hearth for my 13-NC. They felt too weak for me so I didn't go that route. I made the outer frame out of 2x4's and made piers cut out of blocks of Durock stacked on top about 4 deep inside to give me my air space. Covered that with 3 layers of durock and then slate. That put me over the 2.0 requirement. I think it turned out ok for my first time at it. Got less than $75 in it

 

[begreen]

Did you also go for the stove heat shields?

 

[bmblank]

Metal studs generally seem very flimsy until you put some drywall or some other sheet on it.

 

[Rebelduckman]

Did you also go for the stove heat shields?

Yea forgot, I got the shields too.

 

[Highbeam]

Metal studs generally seem very flimsy until you put some drywall or some other sheet on it.

That's right. I used the thin hardware store metal studs for my hearth. Built a regular frame and used metal screws to attach the corners. Two layers of durock on top, one on sides, tile, grout, and it has been great for my Hearthstone and now the BK. No cracks.

With the second layer of durock the whole system really became solid. I'm more concerned with the durock spanning between studs than I am with the studs crushing.

 

[Hogwildz]

You can always box two studs together for added strength, but may not be necessary.
I have used them here in my addition, and as the others have said, once you get it all together, they become much sturdier & will hold up just fine.

 

[Dakotas Dad]

Yes, used them. I have had near to a ton and a half on my hearth. Didn't move. 6" o.c. is way over kill. 12" is fine.

 

[SpAmSoNiTe]

Thanks for the input everyone. I think I'll go with the lighter studs spaced real close.. Might be overkill but my piece of mind is worth the extra 6-7.00