Thereing Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 I'm setting up a shop in a wood walled garage. The gas forge will be far enough from the walls to be safe from the actual flames, but I am worried about the radiant heat. What kind of thermal barrier can I install to prevent the heat from damaging the wall? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grundsau Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 thering, welcome to iForgeIron. I have a piece of 3/16" plate behind the gas forge with an air gap between the plate and the wood wall of my shop. Just noticed in the photo that the alignment is off. The plate heats up but the wood stays cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 I use a piece of sheet metal to act as a shield. Leave an air gap between the heat source shielding and anything in the room. Check how the shield is working and blocks the heat early and often. A second piece of sheet metal may be needed. I found that thin is better than thick, two shields with air gaps are better then one. YMMV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thereing Posted November 17, 2014 Author Share Posted November 17, 2014 Thanks, this is good information! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 I have a sheet of cement board, the kind you put up tile on, behind my forge where its close to the wooden (outer) wall of the woodshop. It's leaned against the wall so there is an air gap, the top of the cement board is flush to the wall so sparks cannot get behind it. The smooth face of cement board is not half bad as an impromptu chalk board as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 I used 5/8" firecode sheet rock behind my forge and chimney, then put galvanized 20 G steel, bent into a channel on that. Air gap bottom to top, metal reflects any heat back. It has worked for 20 years, with not problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawnJockey Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Wood can burst into flames at as low as 200 degrees F or so I have read. I have had good luck using sheet metal that is an inch or so off the wood. I leave an opening at the bottom of the wall and at the top. As the air behind the heat shield heats up it rises and is replaced by cooler air from below. If you can hold your hand on the heat shield while the fire is going that is a good indiction you are safe. I have followed this with all sorts of wood fired installations on boats, trailers and structures and I have never had a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 In marine applications wood stoves are placed within 2" of wood walls. Bright aluminum sheet reflects 99.something percent of radiant heat. Aluminum oxide reflects 98. Something percent. Boats place it on 1/2" stand offs as stove surrounds. Bright tin or galvi sheet works fin at further distances. Most gas forges don't get that hot except in the exhaust blast The info on aluminum comes from a US army study on tentage, I think the decimal was .8 but of that I am not 100% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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