If you are installing your stove into a free standing location, then you will need to begin by installing a non-combustible hearth for your stove to stand on.
This can be made out of almost any non-combustible material, providing it has a minimum thickness of 12 mm. This rule applies to small stoves, such as the Hobbit, where the hearth temperature does not exceed 100°C.
Some of the most fashionable materials are slate, marble, or toughened glass, which provide a more contemporary look. For the more budget-minded, materials such as reclaimed quarry tiles, patio slabs or a combination of steel and concrete can be used to make an attractive base or plinth for your stove.
The size of the hearth that you will need depends on the size of the wood burning stove you are intending to install. There are specific requirements relating to the size of hearth required in Approved Document J. If the stove operates as a closed appliance, then the minimum distance that is required from the front of your stove to the front of your hearth is 225mm. This should extend to 300mm for an open appliance. The hearth should also extend by 150mm to the sides and rear of the stove.