Reface brick masonry fireplace before insert

[Paddy1337]

I've got a large brick fireplace that we will be having a wood stove insert installed in. Wife likes the "shiplap" look, and I don't mind it. I figure it should be done with non-combustible, and Hardie makes some planks that fit that bill.

Has anyone done this? My concern is whether I can/should use furring strips, or if that would defeats the purpose and safety of using the Hardie plank. I have a feeling it will look terrible if I tried to just use construction adhesive straight to the brick.

Last thought... If I use wood to affix it, I'm going to have a gap around the fireplace opening. How would a guy close that off? Maybe a trim from Hardie? I don't think I want heat rising between the brick and Hardie board. Maybe I should install the stove first, then only reface it up to the stove trim plate, and leave it as brick where it's covered by the stove surround plate?

I'm still trying to convince the wife to let me paint the brick and see how she likes that.

 

[Paddy1337]

Although I've been thinking through this for a week, I now think I know where I'm leaning. Install the insert first, with cement board backer cut and installed the same size as the stove surround/faceplate.

That'll have the stove and liner in proper position (depth) for when I then do the Hardie plank re-face up to the stove surround.

Can anyone please tell me if this is all a horrible idea and I'm not considering something that will lead to impending doom?

 

[bholler]

Although I've been thinking through this for a week, I now think I know where I'm leaning. Install the insert first, with cement board backer cut and installed the same size as the stove surround/faceplate.

That'll have the stove and liner in proper position (depth) for when I then do the Hardie plank re-face up to the stove surround.

Can anyone please tell me if this is all a horrible idea and I'm not considering something that will lead to impending doom?

Is hardie board actually rated non-combustible if so it would be fine but no furring strips or construction adhesive