Sirocco hearth pad install - - over or on subfloor?

[DaveOwl]

Hi all, quick question I don't think I've seen a firm answer to. New house build here; I'm getting a Sirocco 20.2 and I'm not sure if I should install the hearth pad over the subfloor, or over the finish flooring.
Like I said, the stove's the BK Sirocco 20.2. The hearth pad will be powder-coated steel (not sure the thickness). The subfloor is 23/32 OSB. The finish flooring will be luxury vinyl plank (LVP). I've read conflicting answers elsewhere. Any thoughts?

 

[begreen]

The main issue will be protecting the LVP. Vinyl is not fond of strong radiant heat.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Hi all, quick question I don't think I've seen a firm answer to. New house build here; I'm getting a Sirocco 20.2 and I'm not sure if I should install the hearth pad over the subfloor, or over the finish flooring.
Like I said, the stove's the BK Sirocco 20.2. The hearth pad will be powder-coated steel (not sure the thickness). The subfloor is 23/32 OSB. The finish flooring will be luxury vinyl plank (LVP). I've read conflicting answers elsewhere. Any thoughts?

I would say go ahead and finish the floor wall to wall. Maybe try to get a better pad. I seem to have ended up with the thinest gauge steel they could manufacture, but then again it was "included". Got me up and running though. In your case might as well get a good one now.

 

[Tron]

Wouldn't it be nicer to tile over the subfloor where you want the pad to be?
Our floor is concrete, so no fire hazard whatsoever, but I think a layer of heat-resistant tiles would protect the subfloor effectively. At least better than a steel plate.

 

[Highbeam]

The BK line doesn't throw a lot of intense heat radiant or otherwise, and especially onto the floor which is one of the reasons that they have an ember only hearth requirement. I would have no trouble laying the LVP under the hearth pad.

 

[Whitenuckler]

The BK line doesn't throw a lot of intense heat radiant or otherwise, and especially onto the floor which is one of the reasons that they have an ember only hearth requirement. I would have no trouble laying the LVP under the hearth pad.

It would make it easier for the flooring, and get rid of any transition issues. Basically what they did here. I have some sort of VP flooring or maybe just laminate. They came in and put a generic (cheap) black sheet down, put the stove on it, and done. I can always do something different in the future if the floor needs to be replaced. There are better premade heath pads available than the one I have, but it was "included".

 

[Highbeam]

In my case I have a 10" raised hearth that is wood framed and bolted down to the subfloor, 2" thick concrete paver tiles mortared together. I just had them floor up against that because it is a more permanent feature. A gravity thin pad of any type I would definitely floor under it. You can upgrade the pad which will almost certainly have different dimensions. Even use a glass pad so you can see through to the floor below..

Also, if you ever move away the new owners will be delighted when they remove your woodstove system and find that there is no hole in the floor. Matching flooring will almost certainly not be available.