What Is a Hearth Pad

Hearth pads are sections of fireproof material that can be used underneath wood, pellet and gas stoves to protect floors from sparks and embers and on the back walls behind heating appliances to protect the walls from intense heat.

Do I need a hearth pad?

All wood, pellet, coal and corn stoves require a hearth protector. Most require only protection from falling embers. But some stoves produce enough heat directed down and forward that a Type 1 – Ember Protector won’t stop the heat from passing through to the floor beneath the stove.

How thick should a hearth pad be?

The minimum thickness of a standard hearth’s flooring within the fireplace is 4 inches. The hearth pad requires a thickness of at least 2 inches. However, if the fireplace’s floor is at least 8 inches taller than the hearth extension, the hearth extension’s thickness must only be at least 3/8 inch.