Im currently building a hearth pad for an Ideal Steel. It needs 0.41 R value for the hearth. I put two layers of 1/2" Durock Next Gen so my R value is 0.78 so I'm already good regarding what the IS needs. My first question is, I'm putting down flagstone slate tile on the Durock but the tile I purchased has plastic mesh holding 7 pieces together for each segment of the tile. Is it ok to have this plastic mesh imbedded in the mortar in the hearth or do I need to remove each piece and install them individually without the plastic mess? Also, when securing the Durock to the 3/"4 plywood I used 1 5/8" screws evey 8-10". With the screws under the mortar and slate that go into the plywood that are under the stove, do I have to worry about heat radiating down though the screws and into the plywood???
No need to take pieces apart , job will go faster , that's what it's for, I have put down lots of tile with plastic mesh . On the heat radiating down though the screws and into the plywood , Just my guess here,not a problem
I would NOT worry about the screws. That said, Woodstock prides themselves on being available for these types of questions.
If you have the ash pan on your IS, like I do, I think you'll find that very little heat radiates down into the hearth. I wouldn't worry for one second.
We laid two layers of durock in a thin mortar bed, no screws, then brick on top. Hasn't moved in 8 years. I know I'm the odd guy out here, but I have no screws, no combustibles in my hearth pad build. I'd certainly contact the stove company and get their input to satisfy my mind if I were you.
