Need to build a spacer on hearth for lopi insert

[dwol]

I need to build a 3 1/2 inch spacer on my hearth so that the insert will be at the same height as my heatalator. The heatalator has a 1 1/2 in gap for air on the bottom and a 2 inch tile base making it 3 1/2 inches higher than the hearth in front of it. My question is- can I simply frame up 2x4's and plywood covered by hardy board and tile? or will the insert produce to much heat for this? If so what would you do to build the 3 1/2 inch space?
Kind regards,
Dave

 

[coldkiwi]

You could pour concrete the same size as the foot print of the insert,maybe a little smaller so you could tile it.I am in the throes of installing a lopi revere right now!

 

[dwol]

Thanks Coldkiwi!
Ideally I would like to have something that is removable and lighter than just a solid pad of concrete, but thanks for the idea. I was really hoping an expert would chime in and tell me what are the minimum hearth requirements for an insert. I am worried that because the insert sits right on top of the hearth, that it will need to be thicker to accommodate more heat than just a stove (which is suspended by its legs several inches above a hearth).

 

[fossil]

I've never heard of required hearth insulative properties associated with inserts. The assumption is that the insert is going to sit on the floor of a woodburning fireplace. I'd look for a totally noncombustible solution...no wood whatsoever beneath that insert. Brick can be procured/cut to any thickness desired...that's where I'd start my quest. Rick

 

[fossil]

Tell us more about this installation...what, exactly, is the existing fireplace? What, exactly, is the appliance you're installing? Some pics would really help a lot. You haven't really given us much to go on here... Rick

 

[dwol]

I am putting in a lopi X-96 (similar to revere) It sits out on the hearth as much as inside the fireplace. Attached is a picture of the fireplace it is going into:
You should be able to see the gap at the bottom I need to fill:

 

[dwol]

I wonder if I could use the bolts usually used for leveling the back of the stove in the front? I might have to make some kind of custom adapter to do this.

 

[dwol]

Some pictures of lopi x-96 (not mine)


(broken image removed)

 

[dwol]

X-96 specs: (broken image removed)

(broken link removed to http://www.lopistoves.com/TravisDocs/93508032.pdf)

 

[KaptJaq]

Does the existing hearth exceed the 18" requirement in front of the loading door? If it does then you could have a stone shop cut a piece of stone that compliments the hearth/fireplace. Cut it in the shape of the bottom part of the insert that extends beyond the existing firebox and to the 3.5" height you need. Then place it on the existing hearth with the insert on top of it. If you remove the insert, the stone can also be removed. We did this with a fireplace that had a two and a half inch drop from the firebox to the hearth. The insert extended about 1.5" in front of the firebox and the leveling legs hung in mid air. Once the stone was in place we could adjust the leveling legs.

The manual you linked to does not show any thermal resistance requirement for the hearth but it was published in 1992. It also shows how to do a "slammer" install, a method that is no longer used. Most newer inserts do have some thermal requirement for the hearth, mine required an R value of 1.4. The requirement for thermal resistance is usually reduced by the window's height above the hearth. In your case the 4(?) inches of the air inlets on the bottom plus the 3.5 inches raised off the hearth probably reduces the requirement somewhat. That said, if I was installing that insert I would make sure the hearth had a reasonable thermal resistance.

KaptJaq

 

[Don2222]

Hello

Pics of your hearth would be very helpful?

 

[dwol]

Thanks KaptJaq,
I do not plan to do the slammer method, I will be running a SS liner from the stove all the way up to the top of the existing pipe. And will use block off plates on the bottom and top of the installation.
I think that I will make a custom steel "adjuster plate" for this installation. I will use 4 bolts and 2 in square tube for the frame. The 2" square tube will be welded in an "H" pattern with the 4 bolts used at the tips of the "H" to level. I will also make some 1/8 or 1/4" pads lined with rubber where the bolt heads will sit, so that they do not sit directly on my mantle (might crack the brick). In the end, this should float the entire front of the stove the appropriate height above my hearth. (almost turning it into a wood stove). This will make the entire installation removable as well. I'll post pictures, as I go. Thanks for the ideas!
Kind regards,
Dave

 

[dwol]

Ok, built the adjustable plate, but decided to go with an "O" shape instead of the "H" looks like it will give better support. Here are the pictures so far: (also found some nice metal pieces with rubber pads for where the carriage bolts will hit the hearth.)

 

[dwol]

 

[Don2222]

(broken image removed)

Hello dwol

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[dwol]

Sorry about that

 

[coldkiwi]

Hey dwol, that looks like a great fix, I love the ingenuity of mankind!I would be a little careful with rubber underneath the stove as it will pump out a fair bit of heat.The hearth does not look like it projects out in front of the door of the stove enough as those inserts stick out 10 inches I believe, from the fireplace.