How to Build a Wood Stove Hearth - Framing a Hearth

This video shows how to frame a wood stove hearth. Wood stoves can weigh a lot! I kept this in mind when I designed and built this hearth. Since there are many different materials and techniques on the finish-work, I ended the video at that phase. I did, however, show my finish-work at the very end (Mesh and Mortar with Centurion Stone). It really turned out nice! I hope this video helps someone else out. Thanks for watching, sharing, and subscribing!

[@dwdale68]

I can't tell you how refreshing it is to find a tutorial video that gets right to the point and doesn't spend half the time with small talk or unnecessary information.

[@PhilCrockett]

Yes! Thanks!

[@monkeydna7490]

@@PhilCrockett Amen to that!

[@rebeccapfinx3554]

Agreed! Thank you

[@user-fl3gp7qs8d]

I built this for my 500lb wood stove and it’s super solid. Most importantly the wife loves it. Thank you for the awesome and easy to understand video

[@PhilCrockett]

Glad you like it! thanks for taking the time to watch and comment, my friend!

[@melissayork2468]

What did you use on top make it fire resistant?

[@bryanrick]

10/10 video tutorial: concise, to the point, but with the detail to property instruct. I've subscribed and can't wait to watch some of your other videos. They all look very interesting.

[@PhilCrockett]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUBBING!!!! Thank you for the kind words. I hope you enjoy my other videos, Bryan!

[@pdrg]

Your videos are always no-nonsense and to the point with good detail. It's extremely unlikely that I'll ever fit a hearth to a stove in my life, but in general engineering terms I find this interesting anyway :)

[@PhilCrockett]

Paddy!...... I love that fact that you took the time to give me this feedback! You just made my day!

[@user-yn6px4oj8z]

Wow, I want to do that for my basement stove. Looks beautiful!

[@PhilCrockett]

You should! We love our wood stove. It makes us look forward to cold weather.

[@KTy-TinyLife]

I wish I discovered your video before I started my project! Very understandable instructions!

[@sarahc270]

Great video! I plan on doing it step by step.

[@jjscustomfabrications8234]

Very nicely done. Thank you for the video.

[@PhilCrockett]

Thanks for watching!

[@shizashiza1906]

You make the best videos to watch.

[@PhilCrockett]

THANKS! that really means a lot to me, Jean!!!

[@CornholeSteve]

as always, nice work!

[@PhilCrockett]

Thanks, my brother!!! GO CHIEFS!

[@shannonpyle7011]

AS ALWAYS PHIL GORGEOUS WORK!!! 🤗🤗🤗🌞🌞🌞🤗🤗🤗 GORGEOUS FINAL RESULT SIR!!! 🤗🤗🤗🌞🌞🌞🤗🤗🤗

[@PhilCrockett]

Thanks, Shannon!!!! I appreciate the kind words!!

[@shannonpyle7011]

Phil Crockett I Appreciate You Sharing Your Experience With Us!!!🤗🤗🤗 I Can't Thank You Enough! 🤗🤗🤗 My Kitchen Sink Faucet With Sprayer is Holding Up Wonderfully!!!🤗🤗🤗 YOU SIR ARE GREAT!!!🤗🤗🤗

[@charleswidmore5458]

Very nice and sturdy.

[@PhilCrockett]

Thanks, Charles! Yes..... I tried to over-kill the design on this. That darn wood stove weighs an un-Godly amount of weight! My back hurt for 5 days after lifting that thing......WITH HELP! Thanks for the positive feedback, my friend!

[@user-od3cl9om3j]

This is exactly my corner I’m going to build, Thank you!

[@PhilCrockett]

Glad you found my video useful, my friend!

[@user-od3cl9om3j]

Finished the frame for my hearth, came out perfect, ready to start tile, hopefully I can figure out how to send a couple pics, thanks again!

[@davey3765]

great video helped a lot

[@PhilCrockett]

Excellent! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment, Davey!

[@shadowdance4666]

Looks great

[@PhilCrockett]

Thanks!

[@Vid_Master]

Thanks! I built this hearth design and just finished tiling it. It does not flex at ALL when walking on it. Great design. I did not screw it into the walls or floor because I have thick carpeting and it snugs right in. I removed the carpet under the hearth so it sits on the bare wooden floorboards under the carpet. I wanted to be able to move this thing, just in case! I used 3/4 plywood, concrete backerboard on top of that, then thin 12 x 24" gray porcelain tile. I used very similar stone for the hearth side trim and back wall. Again, thanks!

[@PhilCrockett]

So glad my video helped you out! Thanks for commenting!

[@djt5782]

Very nice !

[@PhilCrockett]

Thanks, Dominic!!!!

[@lewiemcneely9143]

NICE job, Phil and Happy New-sh Year. We had a hearth like that on the floor with wings going behind to the ceiling. Had a Grandpaw Bear in front of it and it was nice. Take care, Buddy and GBWYall!

[@PhilCrockett]

AHHHH! LEWIE!!! GBWY2!! Thanks for keeping in touch, and happy Lord's Day my Brother!

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@PhilCrockett You too, Phil and BLESSINGS abounding!

[@lenngross3263]

Great video 🎉

[@PhilCrockett]

Thank you 😁

[@wtfmurphy]

Beautiful

[@PhilCrockett]

Thanks, Rob!

[@StanlocoInc]

Nice!

[@PhilCrockett]

Thanks!

[@heatherjolly8389]

this tutorial is fantatic

[@PhilCrockett]

Thanks, Heather!!!!! I appreciate your kind words!

[@gtdsdaddy1]

Great job on the hearth! I plan on doing this fashion hearth myself. What I'm really interested in is your stove pipe placement in the corner of your ceiling. Did you install that? How is it done? I really hope you answer this, because i can't find a video that shows this type of install. Thanks, and God bless!

[@PhilCrockett]

I had a pro-wood stove installer do it. When dealing with fire, I recommend pros. I've only installed in barns and shops. Houses are different.

[@yvescastillo9991]

Great video I have one question. Is it necessary to lay thin set between the plywood and the Durock board before I install the tiles . Thank Yiou

[@PhilCrockett]

I just screwed it down.

[@JT-mq6oc]

Is this a radiant heater? Is the stone work on the wall, a wall shield?

[@2StallGarage]

Nice 👍

[@PhilCrockett]

Thanks ✌

[@mrcwoodworks4523]

Thanks for posting sir ! You just saved me 3,450 dollars

[@PhilCrockett]

WOW! glad i can help. That's a lot of money for such a job.

[@Greenredfield]

Yea, how are you a wood worker and would pay someone to do that for that price?

[@NYSGeneral226]

Hi Phil - this is beautiful. My wife and I are hoping to do something similar but with a lower height. Do you have any advice for us making a similar design but with 2x4’s?

[@PhilCrockett]

You can use 2x4's! the only reason I used these, is wanting a higher placement for my bad back when loading. go ahead and use 2x4s!

[@thewedo752]

Thanks!

[@PhilCrockett]

You're welcome!

[@chrissyharding8770]

Can you tell me what kind of backing you used and stone front. We love the look of this but not sure what materials you used to cover the platform.

[@PhilCrockett]

I only built the hearth frame. I hired the artwork out because I know my limitations.

[@mainenorthwoodshunter3265]

I wish you had shown how you did the walls and tile. Thanks.

[@PhilCrockett]

I hired that out. That's ART! I'm not an artist. Didn't think it would be right filming my hired help.

[@brightphoebus]

@@PhilCrockett Dude! Carpentry is an art too! I'm a seamstress and I just laid my first stone tile hearth yesterday. Looking for details about how to finish the edges, especially where it meets the wall... Want to make sure no embers can fall down behind there to the wood below. I'm thinking probably mortar, and maybe a "backsplash" in the form of a row of the same stone tiles mortared to the wall... But I don't know if there's caulking for that, the edges.

[@44556613able]

That looked awesome at the end

[@rawfoodelectric]

Phil! Please...are you using treated lumber because you are building on cement flooring? I am doing this job in my livingroom. I dont need to use treated lumber do I?

[@PhilCrockett]

yes! Treated lumber on the floor for sure! Sorry it took a while to respond. I've been CRAZY BUSY! Hope I caught you in time, my friend!

[@SuperAtruss]

Did you require a heat shield on the stove for the wall clearance or did your wall backing serve as a heat shield?

[@PhilCrockett]

I just followed the recommendation for this particular stove. Each stove will have their own.

[@boboscurse4130]

Is there a Nobel Prize for instructional videos?

[@PhilCrockett]

Thanks!

[@iseiyoulaitre]

So if it's a type 1 what material can be used on your 2×6 frame? If it's a type 2... same question.

[@PhilCrockett]

please define 'type 1' and 'type 2'

[@ocea-mcclean]

Did you use cement board as a backer for tile?

[@PhilCrockett]

spread on Mortar over a screwed-to-studs metal lathe. I hired it out. The man I hired that did the stone work was locally known for being an amazing stone work guy. it cost some serious money, but totally worth it. The guy was an artist!

[@toumbler9954]

what did you use on the back wall and where did you get it, also is there a 1 inch air space between the back wall.

[@PhilCrockett]

I hired the back wall out. It's definitely 'art', and I wanted to make sure it looked good. so..... I don't know what the hired help used. sorry.

[@belavet]

Probably a stupid question but how critical is it to attach this to the wall? I ask because that effectively renders it permanent without the possibility to remove or move without damage.

[@PhilCrockett]

You don't have to screw it to the wall. A lot of your choice would depend on how you finish it too.

[@user-od3cl9om3j]

Mine is in my rental, I plan on taking it when I move, so it’s kinda like free floating, but very solid!

[@higherperspective1756]

Hi , even though the stone tiles aren't combustible the plywood and 2x4s underneath are . . ....... is that a problem ? I just watched a vid. on clearances and I understood that wood and other combustibles underneath metal , stone or ceramic tiles can still combust if they get too hot and this possibility increases over time as the wood dries and degrades . The instructor called these hidden combustibles and said they are dangerous because one can't see how the wood is changing over time , subjected to the heat transferred through the noncombustible materials , if you know what I mean .

[@PhilCrockett]

This all depends on the stove that you buy. Each stove has its own criteria and instructions for the type of hearth you need to build.

[@1977FisherMan]

Hello. Did you adhere the stone directly to the plywood ? And did you make a video of this ? Thanks

[@PhilCrockett]

I did not make a video of the stone work. This was a decision I struggled with. I've done very little stone work, and decided to hire it out. I'm so glad I did, because the man I hired was an artist! I couldn't have done a better job. I did, however, notice that he used the mesh and mortar technique. Hope this helps.

[@user-fl3gp7qs8d]

I screwed cement board down on top of the plywood. I decided to use porcelain tile and premix thin set mortar. For the walls I screwed the same 1/4” cement board to the sheet rock same and premix mortar, however I used a stackable stone from Menards which looks really good imo. I questioned myself not using the mesh but it would take a hurricane to get it off the wall.

[@lindawadler4784]

So if i was to put a stove on my first floor of a 3 story house,would it be easier/cheaper to run the pipe out the side wall up to the roof or up through the floors of the house?

[@PhilCrockett]

consult a professional fireplace business so they can come out and look at your situation. This decision should be done on-site.

[@lindawadler4784]

@@PhilCrockett no. Im not insured so its a diy kinda job. Any pros i bring in will not help.

[@PhilCrockett]

I see. well,..... I can say this.... I put my own pipe and stack in my shop, and I was thinking the same thing. The outside segments of the stack is WAY WAY more expensive than the inside segments. It was way cheaper to go through the roof. PLUS, you're chimney needs to be higher than the peak of the roof. keep that in mind. So...... I installed the cheaper black pipe segments up to the roof, and then finished out with the double walled expensive segments.

[@rogersushko1074]

What did u put on back wall. Did u remove drywall??

[@PhilCrockett]

I hired that part out because I am not an artist with this sort of thing. The drywall was not removed. There was a backing that was placed on it and then centurion stone was installed for the final layer

[@tamarahaase103]

Can you tell lme how long it took you to build the framework and cover it plywood.

[@PhilCrockett]

Probably four hours

[@justbeemama697]

Did you use the mesh on top of the plywood? Or only on the walls?

[@PhilCrockett]

I hired that out. I know my limitations. I wanted this to look like 'art', and the man I hired was the best. I wasn't home when he did the hearth part. wish I was..... I love learning from the masters.

[@sknott87]

What size and type of hearth stone did you use?

[@PhilCrockett]

Centurion Stone is where I got them. I don't know the proper specs. I simply went in and asked the salesman for advice, and he set me up. I didn't lay them myself. I hired a guy that was an absolute artist at stone work. I knew I wouldn't have done as good of a job as him. There are some things worth hiring out, especially when it comes to aesthetics. Find a Centurion Stone dealer in your area, and get some advice. You won;'t be sorry. Hope this helps you out, Steve.

[@tylerbrown8923]

What kind of material did you use to cover it? Real stone or faux?

[@PhilCrockett]

Centurion Stone. It is faux....fo-sho! LOL!

[@IzM1K3]

Would i benefit to fill the wood frame with sand? It’s a ground level floor..

[@PhilCrockett]

never hear of doing that.

[@anthonydespirito4204]

You can use pressure treated indoors?

[@PhilCrockett]

yes. infact....... all your bottom plates on basement walls are treated.

[@michaelpeters1719]

Why treated lumber? Why not use concrete board for base instead of 3/4 plywood?

[@PhilCrockett]

Treated lumber for the base structure that is a making contact with the basement floor. Just like how the bottom plate of a wall is required to be treated lumber due to moisture (especially in a basement). As far as base for the stone work, it all depends on how you finish it. Plywood is stronger, and not brittle like concrete board, and you can either screw to it: hardiebacker, wonder board, or like my mason did on this one, he used a screen and mortar base. There's more than one way to skin a cat. I would, however, only use treated for the framing for sure. Hope this helps. Thanks for the question, Michael!

[@Bs73471]

I dont even have a wood burning stove but if i do i know what to do

[@Solo_01]

Hi Phil, I know this is an old video that you posted but I'm hoping that you can answer my question... I'm building a rectangular shaped hearth using 2"x6" just like in your video. However, I have a wood flooring in front of my existing fire place and I had planned to glue the base of my hearth down on top of the flooring instead of trying to remove the wood and possibly damaging the pieces since my wood floor was glued down when it was installed. I noticed another person had a similar suggestion but with vinyl and you suggested against it. Is my situation the same in your opinion? I'm looking at hearth the size of 18" x 69". I'm going to use the 2" x 6" boards to make a solid base. I plan to screw down backer board on top of the boards after I have the base constructed. On top of the hearth for stone we are going with granite. For glue I have Liquid Nails (Max Strength).

[@PhilCrockett]

You'll be fine. A hearth is just a glorified rug. I didn't glue mine to the floor. It's been serving me well for some time now. You'll be alright.

[@george5697]

Would I have to break the existing ceramic tile in order to do this??

[@PhilCrockett]

I wouldn't brake the floor up. however, sometimes I'm wrong. haven't been in that situation, but I personally would just put the hearth on top and screw it to the wall studs. great question.

[@george5697]

@@PhilCrockett thanks for taking the time to reply!

[@geryallan6441]

Great tips! Can you tell me what the outside dimensions of this hearth are?

[@PhilCrockett]

7' wide.... and 6' deep from the front to the back corner.

[@jackfitch4288]

No

[@SemiLunar1]

1.) your wood stove was already hooked up. When you reconnected after adding the platform, raising the stove several inches higher, what adjustments , if any , did you need to make to the directly connected stovepipe to make sure that it was lined up with the Exit hole? Our stove pipe will be exiting the wall not the ceiling. Better to tape out the desired location and wait for hook up? 2.) an r value of 1.45 is required for the surface our stove will sit on. my plan is 2 layers of micore 300 and a shattered mosaic ceramic tile (heat resistant grout and mortar of course) which brings the r-value to 2.04, well above requirement. Will size it appropriately so that it is the required distance from the hardwood floors. so anyway, without doing the work of the framing you’ve shown here, the height of my hearth will only be 1.25in. I like the look of a flatter hearth that is more flush with the floor, but , do you think it’s ok to do one unframed? I am just wondering how will I keep it from sliding? Will I need to attach the micore to the surface under the hearth with a glue? The surface under the double Micore and ceramic tiles will be hardwood but it will be well protected by the 2.04 r factor. Thanks to you, or anyone else who can chime in!

[@PhilCrockett]

Wow! That's a lot of questions! I hope someone else chimes in. I simply followed the woodstove placement instructions in the pamphlet and relied on the subcontractor that installed the stove. I also hired out the stonework because I am not an artisan of stone

[@user-hx6do7zi7f]

can i do this with 2x4?

[@PhilCrockett]

Absolutely!

[@JoeL-mm2lc]

4 inch deck screws a bit over kill?

[@PhilCrockett]

indeed!

[@nicoleklos7557]

not enough. take to pairs of vice grips and bend a 4 inch deck screw. and try it again with a 16d framing nail. which ones snaps easier...

[@gomerpyle6113]

what is the r-value of the hearth?

[@PhilCrockett]

I don't know, but the R value of concrete is usually 1

[@timothywitt4724]

What are the dimensions of this hearth?

[@PhilCrockett]

I don't remember, but it shouldn't matter too much, because the hearth should follow the specs of the wood stove. This wood stove came with the measurements that the hearth should have. IOW..... match your specific stove to it. Hope this helps.

[@ChuckNorris-ju5fn]

Why treated lumber

[@PhilCrockett]

Just like the bottom plate of a wall in a basement, this lies on the floor as well. It is code and just a good idea to use treated lumber that is in contact with a basement floor. ya know what they say, "not IF you have a water leak but WHEN you have a lot of water leak"

[@truenorthpositivejuniorten4628]

What are the dimensions of your hearth???

[@PhilCrockett]

It's been so long ago I don't remember. However, it doesn't really matter because you need to follow the instructions of the stove that you bought.

[@gregbrooks9546]

Can anyone install a wood stove or does a licensed person have to do it to pass code.

[@PhilCrockett]

If you mean "just the stove", then you can put it in yourself. Just make sure the pipe is fitted properly and the stove doesn't have some unique venting system. My wood stove has a vent tubing that looks kind of like a clothes dry tubing. In my video, you can see where it goes to the hole in the exterior wall. Other than that, wood stoves are easy to set up, but VERY heavy. Don't hurt your back!

[@jchavez84]

Dimensions please?

[@PhilCrockett]

The dimensions all depend on the size and type of stove. You need to refer to your stove's manual.