We’ll install a Heat-N-Glo woodburning fireplace, and we want to do the front finish in ceramic tile.
The installation instructions for these types of fireplaces always show combustible wood framing with the studs having their faces flush with the front of the unit. We want a finish where the framing is out stud depth proud of the face, so that with 1/2″ cement board substrate applied, we have a 4-inch return of tile at the sides and across the top of our opening.
We plan on using steel studs for the framing, screwing the Durock to the framing, and screwing 4″ strips of Durock to the sides of the studs at the opening.
The installation instructions for the unit show areas where no combustible materials can be in proximity to the front face of the unit, but with steel studs, Durock, thinset, and tile, we’ve no combustibles.
Have you done this or seen anything like this done?
Replies
Stinger.....had a lot of similar questions when I installed mine last year. The installation instructions are woefully incomplete.....twenty different ways to vent the unit....very little on finishing.
The tech. dept. at Heat-N-Glo was very helpful. Call the number on your owners manual. Just be sure to try and have a list of any possible questions for them in one shot. DO NOT BOTHER TO EMAIL QUESTIONS TO THIER WEBSITE!!! However, they do have some useful info available to download in pdf format.
If I`m understanding you correctly, I don`t see any probs with what you are planning. Make sure you are leaving room to attach the units cover (purchased seperately). Also, be sure that the tile and grout you are using can withstand the heat....that sucker cooks!
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Here are a couple sketches of what I want to do. I needed to do them to submit to Heat-N-Glo tech service people.
Not shown is the tile finish, which adds another 3/8" of thickness to the front and returns.
I think I see now what you are doing. I would splay out the sides maybe and definitely the top, head pc. Alot of heat that rolls up out of that is going to concentrate on that flat head return. Angle-ing up might disipate a bit of it.
Is only the return framing and full length over the heater going to be out of metal? the rest wood? Tile,cement board and metal transfer heat pretty easily. Might want to expand the clearances using metal around a bit more of the opening.
edit: after looking at the pdf again I see you're using all steel in that section of the wall. Using 25 ga. mtl studs and durock screws will be a problem. You might have to predrill the durock, making a bit of the countersink because the stud will strip out b/4 you sink the screws in the cement bd. I think that might even happen with 20 ga.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Edited 9/26/2005 5:51 pm ET by calvin
Then why not just plain gyprock, instead of the Durock, Cal? Maybe 5/8" Firecode? Avoid the stripout problem then?
If you've the time, go to this web page, to see the fireplace we are replicating. When you get there, click on the thumbnail photo on the left scroll window, labeled IMG-0314.jpg Then in the window in which the photo opens, click the blue link labeled "HERE" in the text up top. That will enlarge the photo, and you can pan up, down, and across. Here's the link. http://www.homebydesignshowhouse.com/download/
The see-thru fireplace you are seeing is Heat'NGlo's gas model, and we are putting in a woodburner. Hardly any difference in heat output.
Edited 9/26/2005 6:17 pm ET by Stinger
Yes, no stripout then I'm sure. I will go take a look at your link.
One other thing. With all the heat/cool..........what about expansion/contraction with the metal?
Might want to float the board around those cutout corners........maybe. Don't know, just popped into the keybd.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Must be aol. Whenever I open large size pics here, they do load but the result is less than desireable. The end up looking like a charcoal or chalk drawing. Very faint and w/o detail. I take it the tile runs all around the return. Then I guess its doable w/o problem and no splaying of the opening.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time