Wood Stove Question

[whodunit]

We have a wood stove in our livingroom. It is the leg style as opposed to a pedestal style.

Right now its sitting on an asbestos type pad, but the friend who installed it is concerned this pad may not be enough of a heat shield for the floor, not so much from the bottom of the stove, but from the heat transfer through the legs.

The pad is on carpet and beneath that is padding, then some type of thin manufactured wood stuff, then boards, then more boards (diagonal).

We are getting ready to switch to a cement board that we will cover with saltillo clay tiles. We will cut the carpet back when we put this in. For the time being we will not mortar the tiles, so the cement board will protect the floor from ashes and coals that may fall from the stove.

The ultimate plan may be to cover the entire floor of the room with these tiles. The cement baord will not be there then, since the tiles will be mortared and grouted.

Comments or conerns on what is there now, and whether the tiles on top of all the wood products will be okay.

[roadrash]

Usually heat shields need an airspace behind them in order to be effective!

[OD]

I would be afraid that just tiles under the stove would not be enough.
You can find information on safe distances from wood & flammable objects by doing a search for "wood stove safety" on Google or Yahoo.

[januaries]

Do you have your stove's manual, or can you find it online? My stove came with very specific instructions about protective materials and the like. I'd find the manufacturer's web site and then look for a manual that you could order or download. Then you can make your decision with confidence.

[cc-rider]

My two-cents worth would be that it wouldn't get THAT hot UNDER the stove. I'd be more concerned about the sides and rear clearances.

I haven't heated with wood in ages, but don't remember EVER getting remotely warm UNDER the stove. Directly in front....from spitting embers, etc., yes.... but not under.

CC

[Helena]

I would cut the carpet out now and could you lay bricks on top of the board for now. You wouldn't have to cement them together right now..but it would add more protection. But...do you have a fire proof mat/rug to put in front of the door to the stove so the ashes won't fall onto the carpet ?? Be careful with this. I would try to have it totally installed before winter set in the right way. You never can be too safe with wood heat. We have been heating totally with wood forever now..over 30 years. Some of our "get ups" haven't been the best looking but have been safe. We have even at times put aluminun foil on the front of the walls and the ceilings of an area too. Good Luck !!

[Cabin Fever]

Floors don’t need a heat shield (heat rises!) Floors do, however, need to be protected from embers and sparks and possibly from flaming logs that roll out of the firebox. Consequently, a wood stove should be placed on a non-flammable surface and this surface should extend out 12 inches from the front of the firebox.

[whodunit]

Thanks for the replies.

Basically, we were not too concerned with the heat from the bottom of the stove, but the heat going through the legs onto the floor. I guess this might be called "heat transfer". The legs do get very hot, in fact so hot you cannot touch them for very long if at all.

I did call the manufacturer and a service rep told me that the clay tiles on top of the wood floor would be safe.

We may not get to mortaring them right away, but are very aware the main hazard seems to be from falling ashes or coals onto the floor, so we will take appropriate measures.

The clearance on the sides is fine, as is the back. Additionally, the back wall may also eventually have this same clay tile behind it.

We love the heat and have already been using the stove for our mildly cold mornings and evenings.

Now we just need to get in those 3 additional cords before the snow flies!

Thanks again!

[BlueRidge]

Originally Posted by whodunit

I did call the manufacturer and a service rep told me that the clay tiles on top of the wood floor would be safe.

That's the best thing to do, and you have your answer!