Pre Made Hearth pads... What size ?

[kevinrea]

hi guys,

as you can see, i am getting close to getting my wood burning stove installed.
I was looking at pre-made hearth pads, and I was wondering, How do you know what size you need to order ?

thanks,
Kevin
Palmdale, Calif.

 

[begreen]

By the stove hearth requirements. You can download the stove manual for the hearth dimensions and then pick the appropriate sized pad from one of the hearthpad mfg websites like (broken link removed to http://www.hearthclassics.com/hearth_pads/index.html) .

 

[kevinrea]

so, if i look at my manual page on the clearance subject, which I put here for you guys to see and verify for me (if you wouldn't mind please...)
(broken link removed to http://www.hamlogbook.com/fireplace.html)

the length of my wood burning stove from front to back is: 21"
the diagram with my stove says 8" to the back.
18" to the front of the stove
so, it looks like I need a pad that has a length of: 21" + 8" + 18" = 47" long (if I am getting the idea of needed pad length correctly...)
and width, I need....8" on either side of the unit plus the width of the unit which is: 21", so... it looks
like I would need a pad that is : 21" + 8" + 8" = 37" wide (looks like most everyone makes 36" wide, so )

anyway, as I can figure it, I need a pad that is 48" long by 36" wide..

Am I understanding this correctly guys and gals ???

thanks for your help.

Kevin
Palmdale, Calif.

 

[begreen]

Just to be sure, what is the stove make and model? But based on dimensions given I'd go for a 40" x 48".

 

[wolfkiller]

I recomend going as big as your space allowes. It is nice to have your tools and ash bucket on the hearth.

 

[jjhof0306]

Depending on your manufaturer requirements, you should really look into building one yourself. It could save you money and the result will be higher quality, in my opinion. I was fortunate - my stove only needed ember protection for the floor, so I was able to build mine with a sheet of plywood, a sheet of cement backer board and tile and trim. I didn't go elaborate with the tile (I'm not in the least bit handy), but was pleased with the result.

 

[weezer4117]

as mentioned, building one yourself is going to be your best bet. cheaper and offers peace of mind that it has met all the clearences. also this way you can design and create a hearth that has the cosmetics that is specific for your home. i was in the same boat before winter and i built my own. it was fun to do and i added some features to you that you cant buy, like extra room for tools, wood, and a sitting area for quick warm ups!! also i built in a small blower inside the frame to push more heat into the room.

 

[oldgrezmonke]

Also make sure the pad meets [preferably beats] the R-value specified for your stove . The reasonably priced ones available at stores were too low for mine so I also made my own .

 

[savageactor7]

...just riffing on wolfkillers points. If I were to build one I'd make it cover more area in front of the stove...had a few close calls good thing I had leather gloves on...'nuff said.

 

[John_M]

I am also in the process of installing a new wood stove. I will build my own hearth and because I have the space. It will be much larger than required by the manufacturer or local codes. The front corners will be cut at a 45 deg. angle to eliminate a potential tripping hazard. The hearth will also be large enough to hold an ash can, tool set, and a small log cradle. It will be elevated about 12" to facilitate log loading and ash removal. The added elevation also provides a small seating area and allows a better view of the fire.

Building my own hearth will be fun: it will be exactly as I want, it will "fit" properly in the room and can be color matched to the stove and furniture in the room. It will also save me some money.

Can't beat all that.

Best Wishes,

John_M

 

[firefighterjake]

Just echoing here . . . bigger is better in this case. Even though it may take up more of the room having a bigger hearth means that a) you have a little more peace of mind when those sparks or hot embers drop out of the stove and go skidding across the hearth (note I said when . . . not if) and b) if it is bigger in the front your cat/dog/ferret will thank you as it provides them a great spot to lay down and warm up (plus it's not a bad place to park your keister after you've been outside in the cold all day either.)

Also . . . as mentioned . . . making a hearth is a pretty easy project and immensely satisfying . . . seeing the end result will give you a real sense of accomplishment . . . and you'll save some coin in the process.

Finally . . . as also mentioned . . . if you elect to buy a pre-made hearth pad be sure to check the R-value of that hearth and make sure it is adequate for your stove's R value requirement.

 

[edthedawg]

so, if i look at my manual page on the clearance subject, which I put here for you guys to see and verify for me (if you wouldn't mind please...)
(broken link removed to http://www.hamlogbook.com/fireplace.html)

the length of my wood burning stove from front to back is: 21"
the diagram with my stove says 8" to the back.
18" to the front of the stove
so, it looks like I need a pad that has a length of: 21" + 8" + 18" = 47" long (if I am getting the idea of needed pad length correctly...)
and width, I need....8" on either side of the unit plus the width of the unit which is: 21", so... it looks
like I would need a pad that is : 21" + 8" + 8" = 37" wide (looks like most everyone makes 36" wide, so )

anyway, as I can figure it, I need a pad that is 48" long by 36" wide..

Am I understanding this correctly guys and gals ???

thanks for your help.

Kevin
Palmdale, Calif.

Kevin - you can't go less legally. Even tho it's just an inch, you shouldn't do it. Go 40x48 min as recommended. And I wholeheartedly endorse A) larger and B) DIY.

I built my original hearth only to find it was too small and too little insulated to use, so I built my current hearth over it. Took one weekend and less than $200 to knock out a monster raised hearth that is functional, protective, and didn't nearly break the bank. It would have easily cost me 5X that to buy something remotely suitable off the shelf, and i was staring down an installation the following weekend - couldn't spare the delivery time or risk it being late, out of stock, shipped wrong, not as advertsided, etc...

Plus - just like a pad - it's removable if we ever decide to get rid of the stove for some reason.

This is easy - lemme know if you want build details, tho they are plentifully available elsewhere (hint: I learned here.)

 

[John_M]

Kevin, here is a link which might prove helpful; (broken link removed to http://www.woodstove.com/pages/hearthplan.html)