What are Hearths & Heat Shields? The experts answer your FAQs
The popularity of wood-burning stoves continues to grow, with approximately 2.5 million people in the UK using them to heat their homes. With the challenges presented by rising oil and gas prices, more and more people are seeing the wisdom of installing a wood-burning stove.
If you want to get a stove but don’t have a readymade fireplace, then you may require a heat shield and/or a hearth plate.
Read on to hear the answers to some of the most frequent hearth and heat shield questions.
What is a heat shield?
A heat shield is a barrier used to protect combustible surfaces or plaster walls in your home from high heat generated from your wood-burning stove. Vlaze is the original wall mounted wood stove heat shield and provides the ultimate protection; allowing you to reduce safety clearances to a minimum.
Why do I need a wood stove heat shield?
A wood stove can get very hot when in operation and combustible materials too close to the stove can catch fire. The FPA recommends that the common radiant-type stove must be spaced out by 900mm (36 inches) from a combustible wall. Using a heat shield can reduce the space required to 95mm.
When using a Vlaze heatshield with a Charnwood stove you can reduce this space to just 75mm (about 2.95 in). Any heat shield used must be designed properly and it is important that you follow the rated clearance reductions and manufacturer’s guidelines.
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What is the best material for a wood stove heat shield and hearth?
Whilst other materials can be used, vitreous enamel heat shields reduce safety clearance requirements the most due to superior heat resistance. This gives more flexibility when positioning your stove and allows for a sleeker look. The enamel finish is stunning and perfect for interior designers!
Vitreous enamel is the material of choice for the London Underground’s signage and cladding (Vlaze heat shields are made in the same material and the same factory that make much of the Underground signage A.J Wells). After a review of the tragic King’s Cross fire in 1987, it was specified to replace combustible materials throughout the London Underground. Unlike plastics, paints and wood, vitreous enamel is fire-resistant and exceptionally long-lasting and this is why the famous signs, maps and cladding are made from this unique material.
Vlaze reduces the clearance requirements more than any other material. Rather than just absorbing heat like other materials, it reflects heat back into the room providing much greater energy efficiency. It’s the most durable heat shield on the market, while Vlaze is considered an eco-friendly material that is fully recyclable. Vlaze comes in a wide range of colours, patterns and textures which means you can design a fireplace that suits your room perfectly.
What is the best-looking heat shield or hearth?
Vlaze is the original and best-performing heat shield on the market and arguably the best looking. It has a luxurious vitreous enamel coating in a wide range of colours and textures to suit any interior design project.
Vlaze has collaborated with many architects and design houses including Tom Dixon, Thomas Heatherwick, Soho House and Malin and Goetz to name a few.
What is a hearth?
A hearth is a heat-resistant barrier under a wood stove or fireplace that protects the floor; particularly a combustible floor. A constructional hearth or heat resistant hearth plate should extend 150mm on the sides and 225mm to the front of the appliance and be made of a non-combustible material.
Providing the underside of the wood-burning stove does not exceed 100 degrees Celsius the appliance can be placed on a non-constructional hearth but this will need to be a minimum of 12mm in thickness and provide sufficient support for the weight of the stove and chimney system.
Vlaze offers a range of vitreous enamel hearth plates to suit most stoves. These boast a 12mm depth that conforms to UK building regulations for non-constructional hearths.
Why do I need a hearth?
A wood stove can get extremely hot when in operation and combustible flooring underneath your stove could pose a fire risk. If you do not have a solid constructional hearth, then you will need to install a heat resistant hearth or chamber plate between the flooring and your stove.
We advise speaking with your dealer to discuss your requirements.
How to install a wood stove heat shield?
Installation of a heat shield involves screwing heat resistant batons in position behind your log burner. Two people are then required to manoeuvre the heat shield and secure it to the batons. We recommend speaking to your dealer to get advice on safety clearances and sizing.
Despite it being a straightforward process, we advise you to get professional assistance when handling your heat shield.
How to install a hearth?
A heat resistant hearth plate is incredibly easy to install. First, measure your space and ensure safety clearances are observed and make sure the floor underneath is solid and level. Then simply place your hearth plate into position.
We advise speaking with your dealer to discuss your requirements.
What is the best wood stove heat shield freestanding option?
The Charnwood Stove Pod is designed for cabins, yurts, tents, boats, home offices and other tiny home accommodation. Compatible with the Charnwood Aire 3, the steel enclosure creates a safe, protected focal point for the room. It can be placed on any hard, flat surface without an additional hearth.
It is available in a matt black powder coat with the option to add a VLAZE vitreous enamel liner for a stylish, easy to clean finish. A complete fireplace solution designed for small space living and glamping accommodation. Read more…
Vitreous enamel sample coasters
Images can’t quite do justice to the beauty of a Vlaze vitreous enamel surface. Only when seeing and touching can you truly appreciate their splendour.
Happily, Vlaze has recently started giving the opportunity to order 90x90mm square coaster samples in any Vlaze surface colour and finish. It’s the perfect way to sample the luxurious vitreous glazes which are used across all Vlaze products. They are all handcrafted on the Isle of Wight with the same process being used across our diverse portfolio of projects.
You can order a sample in the form of a coaster here.