I was pricing pads to put under my woodstove and they seem very expensive for what you're getting. Is there something else I could use? It will be setting on a rug. Not trying to cut corners or be cheap just looking for alternatives! Thanks!
I said the same exact thing to my wife, with materials I will be at about $80.00 and if it looks like crap it will do for a year until I make another one and this time with a little help.......If you later decide it sucks, build another. Setting tile is a valuable skill and the only way to learn is with experience.

My cut used brick is what drove my hearth build up, but that's the look I wanted as there is brick already on the back wall, of course the new brick won't match the brick that's been on the back wall exactly , but will still look fine. I probably could have gotten full brick cheaper but didn't want all that weight.I said the same exact thing to my wife, with materials I will be at about $80.00 and if it looks like crap it will do for a year until I make another one and this time with a little help.......![]()
Thanks for the replies! I guess I should have mentioned this is not for a nice home, but for my old cabin which I'm temporary living in. And where I'm putting the stove is only temporary also till I get to rework the fireplace sometime next year. It's a Lopi Endeavor and the guys at the stove store said a stove board underneath would be fine. So basically I'm looking for an alternative to just stoveboard. A plain stoveboard costs about $67.00 which seems expensive. I've already spent a small fortune on the triple wall pipe and other parts.Cost for all materials was $140.00. Cheers.
Your a busy guyTimberGhost, what stove is this for? That is going to determine what is required. Don't go cheap on protection, some stoves need a lot, some just minimal.
Charly, is this for the 5700? It needs a minimum of R = .59. Brick is .45, Durock NextGen is .39, so you are good. Can you use a string on nails to provide a temporary string line guide?
Note that 2 layers of hardibacker is going to provide low R value insulation. If the insert or stove requires greater than R = .4 this would be insufficient.
! No it's for my Fireview. Specs said 3/4 ply, 1/2 inch Durock and tile or brick. 5700 is going to be a future garage heater. I have lines already drawn out . Loose laid some brick with spacers down the sides and made my marks. Then squared up things by transferring one side measurements to the other. Didn't want to get done and see everything going at a slight angle. Guess I'll just trowel a center strip of mortar between the lines and then spread it carefully with my notched trowel, not letting it quite touch the lines. First time laying stone, should be interesting. I just won't get ahead of myself mixing too much or spreading too much out on the board until I get a system down. I want to have time to level the bricks as I go as well. I guess the mix is the important part.We use essential cookies to make this site work, and optional cookies to enhance your experience.