Board or blanket?

[Jec]

What should I use to insulate my arch. Board or blanket?
Thanks,
Joey

[tuckermtn]

Board on sides provided you are also going to brick. I used blanket user the flues but no brick on top of that. Brick in area that is going to have wood loaded on to it..

[Jec]

If I just use board should I brick the whole arch too?

[maple maniac65]

arch board is heat resistant not fire resistant.You need to brick over board

[warners point]

I just redid the insulation in my fire box this weekend. I only had 1/2 inch blanket behind the fire brick and it compressed way down and heat was pouring out the sides of the arch. I went with 1 inch arch board and then re-bricked. I didn't even need to re-cut any brick, just had a few small bricks that were left out.

[Stamford sugarmaker]

I believe the arch board needs to be protected if it's in the firebox. Throwing chunks of wood in there, even if you are careful, will eventually destroy the arch board if it's exposed. Not all of us are as accurate as the Phillies' Papelbon!

Peter

[red maples]

as far as ease of instalation go arch board its so easy to work with and doesn't crush under the weight of the bricks. but I'd birck the whole thing for easier cleaning but thats just me.