Currently converting from electric heating to hydronic heating where the heat source includes a water-jacketed stove. It ended up being this one: http://mygind.se/product.asp?product=2317
I plan to place it on a foundation of larger lecablocks and bricks, raise sides with 75 mm leca and cover with a cast reinforced slab. On the slab, additional bricks might be attached, and it has a hole for the chimney. At the back, support is provided against the wall which will be made fireproof, tentatively with leca there as well. I need an opening far back on the side to access pipe connections and also holes for ventilation. The slab will reach about 110 cm from the foundation. A cross support can be placed about 95 cm up at the front (check how the stove looks and you'll understand).
The question is, can I solve this with these thin lecablocks? The reason I want leca is for the thermal mass, and the reason for using the thin blocks is space constraints. Otherwise, an alternative is to cover with fiber cement board and tile. I've searched on forums, asked the stove manufacturer, and even checked places like Weber's website but haven't found solid guidance. I'm aware of fire rating, safety distances, and that I need to reinforce the floor. Considering solutions: milling for vertical reinforcement, steel studs, or bricks instead but I'm of course looking for advice!
I plan to place it on a foundation of larger lecablocks and bricks, raise sides with 75 mm leca and cover with a cast reinforced slab. On the slab, additional bricks might be attached, and it has a hole for the chimney. At the back, support is provided against the wall which will be made fireproof, tentatively with leca there as well. I need an opening far back on the side to access pipe connections and also holes for ventilation. The slab will reach about 110 cm from the foundation. A cross support can be placed about 95 cm up at the front (check how the stove looks and you'll understand).
The question is, can I solve this with these thin lecablocks? The reason I want leca is for the thermal mass, and the reason for using the thin blocks is space constraints. Otherwise, an alternative is to cover with fiber cement board and tile. I've searched on forums, asked the stove manufacturer, and even checked places like Weber's website but haven't found solid guidance. I'm aware of fire rating, safety distances, and that I need to reinforce the floor. Considering solutions: milling for vertical reinforcement, steel studs, or bricks instead but I'm of course looking for advice!
I have no evidence for what I am now writing, but aren't leca blocks too porous to be a good heat storage material since these are preferably used for insulation effects. I would choose a more homogeneous material.
I completely agree with you! Leca is insulating and less heat-retentive than brick, stone, etc. Since it is a water mantel, I want an insulating effect but also some heat retention. Leca seemed to be the perfect middle ground. I could certainly use fire-rated gypsum or something like that but it doesn't "feel" right, I want something stone-like...
Aiming to achieve something like "Snabelost" presented here http://www.byggahus.se/forum/biobransle/157923-vattenmantlad-insats-och-tank.html but I don't have the space because of the chimney's position (can shift 2 dm towards the ridge) and the new insert is a monster compared to what we have today. Then I cannot go with 19 cm wide leca.
Aiming to achieve something like "Snabelost" presented here http://www.byggahus.se/forum/biobransle/157923-vattenmantlad-insats-och-tank.html but I don't have the space because of the chimney's position (can shift 2 dm towards the ridge) and the new insert is a monster compared to what we have today. Then I cannot go with 19 cm wide leca.