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Bear in mind that I am building a 36" oven, pretty small. So, when considering my ideas below, factor in the weight of a 36" oven and associated infrastructure, not 42".
In an effort to minimize mixing and pouring concrete, I'm wondering if there are other ways to create the support slab for the hearth.
Idea 1:
Get one of those killer plates of steel that are placed on the street during construction. That would work, right? But is it feasible? Meaning, can individuals purchase that stuff in the first place, can we get it cut (or in a size that we can design around), is it an affordable option, and is it actually structurally sound for the purpose of support these ovens?
Idea 2:
Lay extra rebar but no concrete, maybe every 6". Wire it up tight so it won't shift. Lay a heavy piece of plywood across the top to form a flat base for the insulation layer. Would I need some plastic between the insulation and the plywood (does wood not like to have concrete laid directly on it? does it rot or something like that?) Same questions as above. Is this affordable relative to pouring concrete and is it structurally sound?
Idea 3:
Lay a bed of 4x4s or some other kind of thick timber across the cinder blocks. If one could groove them, one could even align rebar along the length of some of the beams. Same questions as above. Is this affordable relative to pouring concrete and is it structurally sound?
Problem with concrete is, frankly, I don't think I have "those kinds of friends" here, not yet anyway, so I'm going to doing most of this job truly on my own with *maybe* a little help from my wife.
As to the foundation, I haven't decided yet, I might have it done for me or use one of those small-jobs concrete deliverers.
Thanks, worried...unsure how to proceed.
In an effort to minimize mixing and pouring concrete, I'm wondering if there are other ways to create the support slab for the hearth.
Idea 1:
Get one of those killer plates of steel that are placed on the street during construction. That would work, right? But is it feasible? Meaning, can individuals purchase that stuff in the first place, can we get it cut (or in a size that we can design around), is it an affordable option, and is it actually structurally sound for the purpose of support these ovens?
Idea 2:
Lay extra rebar but no concrete, maybe every 6". Wire it up tight so it won't shift. Lay a heavy piece of plywood across the top to form a flat base for the insulation layer. Would I need some plastic between the insulation and the plywood (does wood not like to have concrete laid directly on it? does it rot or something like that?) Same questions as above. Is this affordable relative to pouring concrete and is it structurally sound?
Idea 3:
Lay a bed of 4x4s or some other kind of thick timber across the cinder blocks. If one could groove them, one could even align rebar along the length of some of the beams. Same questions as above. Is this affordable relative to pouring concrete and is it structurally sound?
Problem with concrete is, frankly, I don't think I have "those kinds of friends" here, not yet anyway, so I'm going to doing most of this job truly on my own with *maybe* a little help from my wife.
As to the foundation, I haven't decided yet, I might have it done for me or use one of those small-jobs concrete deliverers.
Thanks, worried...unsure how to proceed.
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