Minimal DIY hearth pad design

[burnermike]

I want to build a hearth pad for a Regency Hampton GC60. It will go on a hardwood floor in the living room (I'm not ready to commit to ripping up the floor for this). It doesn't mention any heat/insulation/rvalue. What would be the easiest thing that looks decent?

My current plan is tile on concrete backer board / durock on felt to protect the flooring. Improvise something for the trim. Would this work? Most people add a layer of plywood. Why is that?

 

[Manly]

I want to build a hearth pad for a Regency Hampton GC60. It will go on a hardwood floor in the living room (I'm not ready to commit to ripping up the floor for this). It doesn't mention any heat/insulation/rvalue. What would be the easiest thing that looks decent?

My current plan is tile on concrete backer board / durock on felt to protect the flooring. Improvise something for the trim. Would this work? Most people add a layer of plywood. Why is that?

I built mine as you describe but with 1/4” luan glued to the bottom of the 1/4” hardi backer board I used. I figured the plywood would support the cement board and keep things from cracking when I moved it. Didn’t bother with felt as the luan is pretty smooth. Worked well for my purpose.

 

[Daveman]

3/4 inch plywood covered by cement board then tile...plywood keeps the cement from flexing and by extension the tile from cracking but I’m on a 2x4 frame so the cement board over your hardwood may be just fine. Mine works great, under 75$ for everything.

 

[nailed_nailer]

I built mine using Concrete pave stones on Durock sheet over linoleum floor. Pavers are held in place by Polymeric sand with an Oak border.
Looks good and was cheap. Held up for 10+ years now. Fire Inspector liked it.

---Nailer---