Making my new hearth for the BK princess insert

[Lanningjw]

I am trying to figure out some ideas for my new hearth. My Minimum size floor protector (in Canada) 31 1/4 inches x 41 inches
Minimum size floor protector (in USA) 29 1/4 inches x 41 inches.

OK, inside the green tape is the area that needs the non-combustible floor protection (minimum size protection)

Question, Should I replace only the minimum protection area or pull out all the brick and do a complete redo with tiling?

FLOOR PROTECTION
A non-combustible floor protection is required for all installations extending 16" (in USA) or
18" (in Canada) in front of the door and extending 8" to either side of the door opening. In
addition to the above requirement that portion of the insert which extends out in front of the
fireplace hearth must have a minimum of 1" vertical distance to any combustible material

 

[greythorn3]

i have that same trash can you have in the picture!

 

[Lanningjw]

i have that same trash can you have in the picture!

No Kidding, it works ok for me.

 

[Hiram Maxim]

For whats its worth IMHO go with the maximum!

I'm remodeling my hearth and will extend the front a minimum of a one foot over the required 16".

After 2 years of 24/7 burning I think its a necessary (safe) precaution as hot coals can come out past the minimum....

The one thing you have going for you is the fact that the Blaze King has a deep firebox.

I will generally, as a rule of thumb over engineer stuff.... :cheese:

Good luck, Hiram

 

[greythorn3]

is there a certain reason your going with a insert vs a free standing stove? blaze kings are my favorite!

 

[Lanningjw]

is there a certain reason your going with a insert vs a free standing stove? blaze kings are my favorite!

I think that the insert tucks into the fireplace better than a free standing stove sitting out side of it. In my case the fireplace is in the center of the house and the stove would take up more room in my 1500 sqft house. I also got a great price on the BK PI 1010A. I stold it last Feb from the dealer for $1,800.

This a my old CFM insert

 

[Hiram Maxim]

That looks really nice! :bug:

 

[greythorn3]

i cant wait to hear how well it performs, i might convert my fireplace to a bk insert too!

 

[Lanningjw]

That looks really nice! :bug:

Thats a picture of my old CFM insert. I took the bricks out of the hearth today!

 

[Hiram Maxim]

Still looks nice! :cheese:

 

[lobsta1]

I believe US code now requires 18" minimum to the front also.
Al

 

[Lanningjw]

I believe US code now requires 18" minimum to the front also.
Al

I have also read that on the forum, but wonder if the inspectors simply rely on the manual for specs on distance in front of door?

 

[Lanningjw]

i cant wait to hear how well it performs, i might convert my fireplace to a bk insert too!

That KT 302 is a cool stove, just looked at your post when you had the pictures of it in your yard.
I am hoping for good performance from this insert stove. Its gets almost as cold in Minnesota as it does in Alaska.....

 

[mmopt]

That will look nice. I did the same type of thing with my hearth but was using Micore and tile for the R value and ability to keep it flush. A picture can be seen in this thread.

 

[Lanningjw]

That will look nice. I did the same type of thing with my hearth but was using Micore and tile for the R value and ability to keep it flush. A picture can be seen in this thread.

I want a flush hearth like yours, because a raised hearth will be in the path way into the kitchen from the living room. What are your tiles made of? what size did you use? Very nice job. Looks so much better! I need to go look at tile.

 

[mmopt]

That will look nice. I did the same type of thing with my hearth but was using Micore and tile for the R value and ability to keep it flush. A picture can be seen in this thread.

I want a flush hearth like yours, because a raised hearth will be in the path way into the kitchen from the living room. What are your tiles made of? what size did you use? Very nice job. Looks so much better! I need to go look at tile.

I made mine flush because of clearence to the wood mantle was only an inch plus and any higher and I'd have to modify quite a bit of work. I also like the flush look because it blends with the prior look. We do put a gate'esc type thing in front of it incase the kids fall near it because I think it presents a danger without it raised and within falling distance.

Back to your question, I can't remember the exact R value I needed but (broken link removed to http://chimneysweeponline.com/horvalue.htm) and then I put a layer of .25 cement board over top for the tile. Micore is not very sturdy but I had cement under most of it and the new sections I ended up reinforcing better than in the picture shown. The cement board is needed for the tile adhesion and I used regular 3x6 tile from HD with black grout. (16 bucks a box for the tile) Field tile is not technically for walking on and therefore I put a piece of plywood over it when putting the 400lb stove in, otherwise they'd crack. Since my wood floors were 3/4 inch think the hearth is nearly flush, maybe 1/8 higher but we're very happy with how it turned out.

Note, I also filled in the section without Micore with regular 1/2 inch cement board because they were out of range needed for protection and I could only find exactly the amount of Micore I needed.

 

[Lanningjw]

The floor protection for the Blazeking insert only mentions distance to combustibles, 1 inch, not R value. I am not gonna use the micore only the durarock and the tiles.
Jim