Oven Experts and Masonry Engineers,
I'm not 100% convinced I need to add additional structural support to the sides of my vent arch walls. If I do it, I'm looking at it as cheap insurance.
I really like DrakeRemoray's enclosure (
http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/atta...n-dsc_0006.jpg) and would like something similar. If I add reinforcement, I won't be able to use his idea for framing. I'm willing to shift gears if it means I won't have trouble with my vent walls.
I went to the Depot and picked up a couple of concrete building blocks to experiment with. I came up with 3 ideas. The pictures will explain better than I can.
The pics all show a 1/2" piece of hard Kaowool board between the blocks and the vent wall. My reasons:
1. A small bit of insulation.
2. More importantly, to give the wall a *little* room to move. The Kaowool has some give. I figure if the wall wants to move due to thermal expansion, it probably *needs* to move. If I force it to stay in position, something has to give (crack).
Input? I'd like opinions on this idea and
definitely other ideas if you have them. The chimney and cap will be the DuraTech system from FB.
As always, thanks for the input!