Expert: James Ball - 11/6/2011

Question
I bought  an old house with an opening for a woodstove to a brick chimney with a masonry liner. Their is no hearth but there is a hearth pad with a plywood bottom and slate with oak trim. It is not secured to the floor. I have 3 sheets of 1/2 " micore and about 70 sq. ft. of natural stone veneer. What do I need to do? There is currently wainscoating with a chair rail with wallpaper above. Immediatelly around the opening is brick. Thanks!

Answer
Hello Caren, every thing you need with be in the Stove's owners manual, it will let you know what you need for floor and wall protection clearance and what materials you can use, most wood stove stores sell these.
Also, I would have a local Certified Chimney Sweep www.csia.org, (there you can look up by zip code to find one near you) take a first hand look at what you have, they should be able to help.
Hope this helps
James