Heat-tolerant tiles complement the look of a wood stove.
Any material that you put behind a wood burning stove must be heat tolerant. These stoves kick off a tremendous amount of space and require anywhere from 8 to 12 inches of clearance between the back of the stove and the wall. Consult your owner's manual for the minimum clearance for your model. Also, check local building and fire safety codes for materials that are permissible to use behind your stove.
Heat Shields
Some stoves come with a prefabricated metal heat shield that is attached to the back of the stove, or the manufacturer might recommend that you purchase one. If this is what your model calls for -- abide by the recommendation. The purpose of the heat shield is two-fold: it is specially design to absorb and retain the intense heat generated from the firebox, and serves as a barrier for an excessive amount of heat and combustible byproducts to reach your wall. Look for heat shields that are UL-approved, and refer to the manual for your stove to determine the size you should use.
Brick
Brick is always a good choice for heat-tolerant materials to put behind a wood-burning stove. It's heat tolerant, easy to install and will add a cozy quality to the room. You can brick the entire wall behind the stove or a section of the wall. The natural, earthy quality of brick blends well with wood stoves, especially cast iron models. And since brick can be cut, it will be easy to fit it around the openings for the stovepipe so the wall has a customized look. You might even consider using a brick hearth pad so the wall behind the stove and the pad flow for a seamless look.
Stone
Stone is another heat-tolerant and decorative choice. You can go for a stack stone look to give the wall depth and interest, or round-shaped, cobbled stones to create a cottage look. Interlocking pavers make a good choice to complete the job as a weekend project, and you can bypass mortaring steps. The combination of stone with a black cast iron or metal stove will create a handsome design statement.
Metal Tiles
Metal tiles, such as replicas of old-fashioned ceiling tiles, are a good material to decorate the wall behind a stove. The intricate patterns often resemble late styles from the Victorian era and the art deco periods. This is a look that will work well with all types of stoves, from potbelly replicas to wide cast iron models and modern stoves. For example, if your stove has silver trim, you can go with silver tin tiles, and if it has gold or copper knobs and handles, you can select tiles in bronze or copper colors to stay consistent with brown tones and shades.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel sheets can give a nice contrast to the look of a wood-burning stove. The steel material will also be reflective and bounce off light from the room. Steel is a good choice if you are trying to marry the old-fashioned look of an antique stove into a room with a more modern d cor. And if the stove is more modern, such as some of the new models with bright enamel colored finishes, the stainless steel will complement the modern look.
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