Super-simple Woodstove Hearths

This woodstove hearth made from scrap lumber, stone and mortar is inexpensive and easy to build.

October/November 2009
By Mike Skelly 
Woodstove hearth
Image Gallery
You can save money by constructing this easy-to-build woodstove hearth.
MIKE SKELLY
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

You can save hundreds of dollars when installing a new woodstove or gas stove by building your own woodstove hearth (the heat-proof area under the stove). Instead of buying factory-made hearth plates for hundreds of dollars or hiring a mason for even more, you can make an attractive and safe hearth yourself, economically.

RELATED CONTENT

Assemble the wooden form and line it with plastic, place fieldstone as you desire and fill the empty spaces with ready-mix cement. The total cost will be $10 to $50, depending on the lumber you use for the frame.

Check with your local fire department and homeowner’s insurance to determine the proper size and location of the hearth and be sure your floor can support the extra weight before pouring the concrete.

Mike Skelly
Salem, New York

Or simply lay floor tiles or bricks over a sheet of fire-resistant drywall right on the floor, and hold it all in place with a frame of wood strips instead of mortar. Very easy and quick to remove if you ever need to. — MOTHER

Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print

Comments

Add Your Comment

Please note that there is currently a problem with the comments function and your comment may or may not post successfully. We are working to correct the problem and thank you for your patience. 

You can use this comment form to enter your personal experiences or additional information and resources that you'd like to share with Mother Earth News readers. Your helpful advice will be posted on this page.  E-mail addresses are never displayed on comments, but they are required to confirm your comments.

Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.

New to Mother Earth News?
Sign up to share comments.
Asterisks(*) indicate required fields.
Name*
Your name appears next to your comment.

E-mail Address*
This will be your login ID.

City State Zip Code

Password*


Confirm Password*

Comments
1500 character limit (Offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)
Please Note: Your sign-up must be verified via e-mail before your comment is published.
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Subscribe Today - Pay Now & Save 66% Off the Cover Price

First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Lighten the Strain on the Earth and Your Budget

Mother Earth News is the guide to living — as one reader stated — “with little money and abundant happiness.” Every issue is an invaluable guide to leading a more sustainable life, covering ideas from fighting rising energy costs and protecting the environment to avoiding unnecessary spending on processed food. You’ll find tips for slashing heating bills; growing fresh, natural produce at home; and more. Mother Earth News helps you cut costs without sacrificing modern luxuries.

At Mother Earth News, we are dedicated to conserving our planet’s natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. That’s why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $4.95 and get 6 issues of Mother Earth News for only $10.00 (USA only).

You may also use the Bill Me option and pay $14.95 for 6 issues.