Cement backerboard is more stable than plywood in high humidity and other wet environments.
The benefits of using PermaBASE Cement Board on fireplace insert surrounds include: Durability: Comes with a lifetime limited warranty for residential interior applications. Design flexibility: Ideal substrate for direct-applied veneers. Time savings: Lightweight and easy to cut for speedy installation.
Plywood may be the more budget-friendly option, but it is less moisture-resistant and stable than cement board. Cement board is better for areas with movement, water exposure, and subfloor imperfections, like kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. But plywood is an acceptable choice if your subfloor is dry and stable.
Generally you would use something like durrock cement board around a stove/fireplace with metal studs. Durrock is UL approved non combustible.
While cement board is highly resistant to fire, it is not completely fireproof. Over prolonged exposure to intense heat, even cement board will eventually begin to deteriorate. However, its ability to resist fire for an extended period makes it an invaluable component in fire-rated assemblies.
A high density cement board reinforced with inorganic fibers, NAD-11 is suitable for applications requiring continuous operation in temperatures up to 500°C (932°F). NAD-11 is dimensionally stabile, non-combustible, chemically inert, and it retains its mechanical strength at temperature.
Air barrier material behind fireplaces must tolerate heat. Air barrier material can include thin sheet goods such as rigid insulation, sheet metal, or dry wall. These materials may be installed by insulators, framers, or subcontractors or vendors hired specifically to install the fireplace.
HardieBacker® 12mm cement backerboard is fire rated class A1, meaning the product is non-combustible. HardieBacker® 12mm cement backerboard is CE approved and BBA certified since May 2004. Hardiebacker say it is fine for up to 100 degrees centigrade (it will not set on fire but can crack).
Stone is a classic, widely used material for fireplace surrounds because it's beautiful and withstands high temperatures. Marble, granite, and slate are popular options, each offering unique textures, colors, and patterns that can give the room a rustic charm.
The primary purpose of cement boards is to serve as backing for tile and is superior to paper-covered gypsum at this task because of its resistance to water – as tile is typically used in areas prone to water exposure, it is important to have a backing that will not develop mold and mildew or disintegrate after ...
Since plywood is more strong and durable and offers more resistance to moisture and termites, it is easier to maintain. Particle board's soft build and tolerance to moisture and termites make maintenance difficult. Plywood is made from lightweight wood.
Any impact that hits brittle, fiber cement siding can easily cause it to crack. While the impact force is the main cause of damage, the brittleness of the siding also factors into how easily it will crack.
Refractory Mortar
If you plan to use your fireplace frequently or have a wood-burning fireplace, consider using refractory mortar. Designed to withstand high temperatures without cracking or deteriorating, refractory mortar is resilient to thermal shock.
Cement board typically has a thermal conductivity (k-value) ranging from 0.18 to 0.35 Watts per metre-Kelvin (W/mK). Compared to concrete (1.0-1.8 W/mK), this relatively low thermal conductivity allows cement boards to provide some insulation value.
The three main components you will be shopping for are a fireplace surround, hearth, and mantel. The fireplace mantel can be made out of any material (as long as it is far enough away from the firebox opening). However, the hearth and surround need to be non-combustible.
Types of Wood That Don't Burn Well in Your Fireplace
Alder: This wood is just a lot of work for no results. Alder burns quickly and doesn't produce much heat. Chestnut: Produces a lot of smoke and a weak flame. Gum: Prone to producing sparks, which can become a fire hazard.
Additionally, in the early 1980's, tests were conducted to discover which kind of wood created the most creosote in a regular “open” fireplace. The results were surprising. Contrary to popular opinion, the hardwood's, like oak and poplar, created more creosote than the softwoods, like tamarack and pine.
To recap some previous points, in general the best firewood is hardwood because it's denser, has low resin content, and lower moisture. This type of firewood burns cleanly, hot and slow, making it popular for heating. Depending on where you live, maple is a good firewood choice along with oak and ash.
This means you are not required to build an entire fireplace out of brick or cement and instead use non-combustible materials for framing, wall construction, and finishing. Typically, fireplaces require steel framing and cement/concrete board when building within the unit's clearance to combustibles.
Tile Backer Board creates the perfect substrate to tile onto in wet rooms and bathrooms. It is vastly superior to plasterboard and plywood when used in bathrooms and wet rooms, due to its rotproof and waterproof qualities.
So about 75 pounds for a 4x8.
Cement board or Hardi are not approved fire proofing materials as far as I know. They are not flammable but their cement composition readily transmits the heat of a fire through a wall. The water chemically bound in gypsum (sheetrock) is liberated by a fire's heat.
The industry's solution for heat shields
PermaBASE cement boards are the industry-preferred choice. Installation-ready and easy-to-use, PermaBASE® cement boards eliminate the need for field fabrication, saving time while allowing for enhanced performance and wood-burning stove placement closer to the wall.
The cement board is more ideal to use rather than drywall, as it is way stronger and has a porous surface ideal for the masonry adhesive to really stick.