Newbie question on making a hearth

[robertjp]

OK Ive read what I could on the forums. I am trying to install a Englander 50-sfp12p woodstove into a small 650 sq. ft. cabin at a lake. Someone please correct me if Im wrong about what I plan on doing. I just need someone to bounce this off. The manufacturer says I have to have an r value of 2 or more. I like the idea of using metal 2 x 4 studs, so I will connect these to make a frame 4 x 4 (this is the minimum the manufacturer recommends). My first dumb question is when I place the 2x4s on the floor, are they laying on the wide side (4") or the narrow side (2") ? Should there be a middle brace or just the frame? I was then planning on laying 2 pieces of 1/2" durarock with sheetmetal in between them directly on top of the metal studs. Do I screw the studs into the floor before screwing the durorock down? Do you need to mortar the durarocks together or just screw? Should I put fiberglass or just leave the air under the durarock in between the frame? It is being installed over a plywood flooring. Then I was going to using 1 foot ceramic tile and grout to complete the job. Do I have this right? I dont want to complicate the job but want to be sure I do it right as I have 0 experience with wood stoves. Thanks much and this is a very nice site. BP

P.S one more thing. The durarock does not come in 4 x 4 sheets (I think) but only 3 x 5 so is it ok to piece it together?

 

[dgisme]

i am by no means an expert at this but i think i can help you out . the studs should be installed on edge "with the narow side down " . i would screw them to the floor place them no more than 16 inches appart . the durorock or wonderboard only comes 3x5 so you will have to join them together with a seam no big deal remember this is sub flooring for your tile. just make sure you have a stud under where you seam the board you dont have to morter the 2 layers together , but i would screw them together. you might also want to stager the seams between the top and bottom layer of wonderboard it would be stronger that way as far as the r value goes i can't help you there , but i am sure someone on this wonderfull forum can. good luck