Choosing the location of the fireplace
Construction of the structure begins with the choice of its location. Most often, a fireplace is installed against a load-bearing wall opposite the entrance to the room. In addition, you can build a hearth in the corner or make it stand alone. What determines the choice? First of all, from the area of the room and the individual wishes of the homeowners.
There are places in the room where it is undesirable to mount a fireplace structure. The hearth cannot be placed against a wall that is opposite the windows, otherwise it will cause drafts in the room. When a fireplace is planned to be installed in a wooden house, all fire safety rules must be followed.
Recommendations for choosing an electric fireplace
The large number of proposals of various types of electric fireplaces complicates the choice. All of them have many advantages and additional functions. Where to start choosing the right fireplace for your apartment?
The age of modern technology allows you to have a preliminary acquaintance with existing models without leaving your home. To do this, just look at the photos of electric fireplaces, and also get acquainted with the reviews about working on the Internet.
After that, you need to create a project for the future hearth. This will allow you to determine what size the fireplace should be, what design is suitable for a particular room, as well as what technical characteristics the device should have, etc.
The electric fireplace can be decorated with a special frame made of plasterboard, which will allow for maximum realism
Now you can safely go to buy a suitable electric fireplace
In this case, you should pay attention to the following points:
- the size. In a small room, it is better to buy a corner electric fireplace. This will save space. For a large house or summer cottage, an electric fireplace with a portico is best;
- decor. It is not worth buying a high-tech electric fireplace in a classic-style room. Conversely, a model made of glass and plastic will not look against the Empire style. Such style combinations are not permissible with proper interior design;
- power of the device. If a decision is made to purchase a powerful electric fireplace, then you must first check the wiring. If it cannot withstand the high voltage, then the purchase of a model with a high power will have to be abandoned.
Another factor that influences the choice of a fireplace is its cost. In this matter, the future owner has the last word.
Note! The high cost and popular brand are not always the main ones when choosing this type of hearth in the house. So, the price of wall-mounted electric fireplaces may be lower than that of other models, but it is much more important - the technical characteristics of the device and its compliance with the requirements of the future owner .. Many manufacturers offer a wide selection of filling the electric fireplace - it can be natural or artificial stones, burnt logs or coals
Many manufacturers offer a wide selection of filling the electric fireplace - it can be natural or artificial stones, burnt logs or coals.
Calculation of the dimensions of the fireplace structure
Competent calculation of the focus is of great importance. When carrying out calculations, you need to remember that during the construction process, both whole bricks and their halves will be used.
Before performing the calculations, determine the area of the room in which the fireplace device is designed with your own hands.Next, a plan is drawn on a sheet of paper on a certain scale, and then the dimensions of the firebox are determined. It should be at least 1/50 of the volume of the room.
To prevent the possibility of smoke and ensure proper heat transfer, it is necessary to create a fireplace portal correctly (in more detail: "Do-it-yourself fireplace portal"). Its height should be 2 times its depth. The size of the chimney hole is chosen on the basis of the area of the firebox; it should be made about 8 times smaller. The easiest way to implement the installation of a rectangular chimney. The average pipe length for it is 5 meters.
Choosing the type of fireplace
The construction of a fireplace begins with determining its location - near the wall, in the middle of the room or inside the wall, if its construction is only planned. The built-in option saves space, allows you to use heat in adjacent rooms. An island-type hearth looks spectacular in large rooms in the form of a circle, visually accessible from all sides. An attached fireplace is a universal solution for execution in a finished room: it is located in the center of the wall, sometimes in the corner.
Using certain tricks, craftsmen create "airy" designs for corner fireplaces
Open fire for the soul
Fireplaces with an open hearth are characterized by high heat losses due to the impossibility of limiting and regulating the air supply. As a result, hot combustion products are removed too quickly compared to stoves and closed fireplaces, taking with them the lion's share of the thermal energy obtained from burning wood. The performance of these devices rarely exceeds 15%, which is why they are used in small rooms. Such a fireplace will not be able to heat a significant area, but will only serve as an element of the interior, which consumes 2–4 times more firewood than a fireplace with doors. An open fire heats up immediately, but the wood burns out quickly; after the fuel burns, the furnace stops emitting heat.
The possible spread of sparks from an open fireplace determines increased requirements for fire safety:
- Arrangement of the surface in front of the firebox made of non-combustible material;
- The absence of flammable objects near the hearth;
- Controlling the combustion process until the fire is completely extinguished.
Tip: Dry hardwood logs spark less spark than pine wood and leave little soot in the chimney.
Safe warmth of a closed fireplace
In a closed fuel chamber, firewood burns completely: no coal remains, and ash accumulates in a removable chute. When the door is closed and the oxygen supply is minimal, the combustion process can last for many hours. The furnaces for these heaters are equipped with combustion control systems and are made of refractory steel. Advantages characteristic of closed-type fireplaces:
- Performance up to 75%;
- Safe operation;
- Choice of firebox from a variety of models;
- Ability to work both in closed and open mode.
Closed fireplaces allow you to organize deployed air heating systems at home
To heat other rooms of a private house, a heat exchanger in the form of a tank, coil or water "jacket" is installed in a closed fireplace. The heated coolant is supplied to the radiators, the circuit can function independently, as well as be connected to the existing heating system.
DIY materials for building a fireplace
The device of stoves and fireplaces begins with the preparation of tools and building materials.
You will need the following:
- Red brick;
- sand;
- crushed stone;
- cement;
- but;
- level;
- ruler;
- plumb line;
- Bulgarian;
- hacksaw;
- welding machine.
When choosing bricks in order to build a fireplace in the house, you should carefully examine their surface. Only products with a homogeneous structure that do not have white spots are suitable. You can check the quality of the bricks with a hammer.To do this, they lightly hit the product, and the presence of a clear sonorous sound means that it is of high quality.
The device of the foundation for the fireplace
It is not uncommon for a fireplace to weigh more than one ton. Before starting laying, be sure to make a foundation. Knowledge of how a fireplace works helps to build a high-quality structure, which is impossible without a solid foundation.
The parameters of the foundation depend on the size of the sides of the future hearth. 10-15 centimeters are added to the length and width and, as a result, the base values for the structure are obtained. There should be a gap of about 5-6 centimeters between the foundations of the house and the hearth, it is covered with sand and tamped. Thanks to this, it is possible to prevent the appearance of cracks on the unit during shrinkage (in more detail: "Making a foundation for a fireplace with our own hands").
The required depth of the pit is determined based on the number of storeys of the building: for a one-story building, 50-60 centimeters are enough, and for a two-story house - at least 80 centimeters. If the soil is normal, a sand cushion is placed on the bottom of the pit, and when the soil is loose, then a sand and gravel mixture is used. Each layer is moistened, compacted and the level of the surface is checked using a building level.
When installing fireplaces, a concrete foundation is usually used. First of all, they build the formwork, its internal dimensions must correspond to the parameters of the future foundation. The walls of the formwork are covered with bitumen, tar paper or roofing felt for waterproofing.
Fireplace construction instructions
First of all, the contours of the future fireplace structure are applied to the wall of the room. The foundation under the hearth is covered with two layers of roofing tar paper or roofing felt for the purpose of waterproofing. First, the bricks are laid without mortar for a correct and accurate fit. When laying out the underflooding, refractory bricks must be used from the inside. The hewn surfaces of masonry products are covered with masonry.
After the completion of the preparatory measures, the back and side walls of the fireplace are erected, their thickness should be 20 centimeters. The corner bricks should be laid first. Compliance with the horizontal masonry should be constantly checked with a level. Then they lay out the outer row and, last of all, put the middle.
When the fireplace stove is installed, before laying ordinary bricks, they must be placed in water for a couple of minutes and thereby remove air bubbles from them. Refractory products are rinsed with water to wash off accumulated dust from them.
The seams are made thin, and the excess solution formed in the intra-furnace space is certainly removed. A rounded shape should be used in places where it turns and tapers. The fact is that the efficiency of the hearth functioning largely depends on the degree of smoothness of the inner surfaces. Small potholes should be rubbed with a rag previously moistened with clay solution. See also: "How to paint a fireplace."
Bricks are laid sequentially. This means that each subsequent row begins to lay out only after the completion of the previous one. After the work is moving to the end, they begin to build the chimney.
For laying rows of red brick, a cement-sand mortar is used. It is impossible for precipitation to fall into the pipe, since this in the most negative way affects the efficiency of the hearth functioning. To exclude such cases, use a hood made of galvanized iron or a tin chimney.
How can you decorate a fireplace
The design of fireplace structures should correspond to the interior of the room in which they are installed (for more details: "We create an original interior of a room with a fireplace"). They can be decorated in a variety of styles, ranging from classic to modern modern. According to Russian traditions, fireplaces are often faced with tiles (read: "How to veneer a fireplace - tips for facing").Such hearths add coziness to any interior and create an atmosphere of comfort. Fireplaces are finished with porcelain and decorated with tiles inlaid with gilding.
If the owners of the house prefer minimalism in the design of the premises or do not want to bother themselves with the external decoration of the hearth, the structure is left with brick walls, painted with lime and chalk paints, or they paint only one seams.
The fireplace is a great addition and decoration to any interior. The hearth gives warmth, coziness, peace, comfort and tranquility. Building a brick fireplace on your own is not a simple construction task. But you can still build it yourself if you follow the instructions.
Types of electric fireplace with live flame effect - how to choose?
Electric fireplaces with a live fire effect are the final touch to create coziness and comfort in a living room or kitchen.
Of course, a real flame gives warmth and looks better, but it is unacceptable for safety reasons, especially if there are children in the house.
It remains only to decide on the choice from the whole variety of options for artificial fireplaces, and to mount it at home, creating the illusion of a real source of heat.
Even a small fire will decorate your home
Why do you need a fireplace without real fire
An electric fireplace with the effect of a live fire can be found in any apartments and private houses. Every year, such a design solution is increasingly used, and not only by rich people.
Classics are always in fashion
Initially, the devices were made in the form of scarlet or red ribbons, which wriggled under the influence of air currents. With the development of modern technologies, it has been possible to achieve an accurate transmission of the flame, there are varieties even with a 3D effect.
Electric fireplaces are now the epitome of engineering that conveys the dance of fire through an intricate combination of flickering gas lamps that illuminate water vapor. All this allows you to give the room a truly cozy atmosphere of tranquility.
Presence effect
An electric fireplace with a live fire effect can be an ideal solution for creating an English style of an interior or Provence, as well as take a central place in a room, distracting from small flaws in the layout.
Choose the right type of electric fireplace for you
Depending on the space and design idea, you can find the perfect one for your home. Today there are several types of electric fireplaces:
- floor;
- built-in;
- suspended;
- corner.
Place in the corner
And also can be divided according to the method of simulating fire:
- Electromechanical (with a motor, there is a drawback - the noise of the device).
- Using a steam generator (cold steam is illuminated by LEDs, which achieves the 3D effect);
- With built-in LCD monitor (recording of flame movement is continuously reproduced);
- Working on the principle of illusion (combining layouts and flares of flame with sparks).
And by design solutions:
- Classics (have a U-shape and convey the feeling of working on wood);
- Country (a symbol of a cozy and unhurried life);
- Modern (mixing several directions, using different materials);
- Hi-tech (strict lines and minimal design).
Calm Country Style
From such a variety, it can be difficult to choose the option of an electric fireplace with a flame effect. Therefore, we will focus on the selection criteria and installation options, as well as on the most popular models.
Electric fireplaces with the effect of live fire: how to choose and design options
To decide on the choice of an electric fireplace, you first need to decide in what style you want to decorate your interior. And come up with a place where such a device will look the best.
Built-in fire option
Then, move on to the material of manufacture, on which heat transfer will depend.For example, stone and ceramics heat up for a long time, but then give off their heat for a long time.
Don't forget the technical specifications. Screen size, heating power and temperature adjustment modes are all important when choosing. So, models with a screen size of 40 inches belong to the luxury option.
You can choose a model with remote control, built-in room fragrance and music. All these little things make an electric fireplace the most realistic.
Hi-tech style
And don't forget to pay attention to the fire display. The most beautiful are those options where the different degrees of burning of firewood are depicted, and an electric fireplace with a water effect (with a steam generator) also looks great in the living room.
Examples of the use of electric fireplaces
Depending on the style of the whole room or house, a suitable version of the fireplace is chosen, so the classic never goes out of fashion. Here are some examples of such design decisions:
Classic solutions
Elements of English classics
In modern society, a desire for minimalism has appeared, this was taken into account by the developers of devices that simulate fire. A small fireplace will fit perfectly into a bedroom or dining room.
Minimalism
You can crush the imitation of the chimney to create the maximum realism of the flame.
With the illusion of a chimney
The country style also does not lag behind in its beauty and variety of installation choices. A complete sense of harmony and comfort is present even in the blaze of the fire.
Country
If you want to create something in modern style, take a look at the following options for installing a fireplace. They give the room's design an exclusivity and originality, refreshing the space.
A new vision of Art Nouveau fireplaces
Installation of an electric fireplace with 3D flame effect
The device of the electric fireplace is thought out to the smallest detail, so you just have to install it in the designated place, connect and configure. Before connecting the fireplace, check the electrical wiring, if necessary, lay new wires. In this case, take into account the power of the purchased option, which is indicated in the passport of the device.
Assembly option with a firebox
If you chose a floor-standing model, then there will be no problems with installation, since it is enough to put it in the right place and connect it to the network. The situation with the wall option is more complicated, since the reliability of your walls and the weight of the fireplace should be taken into account.
There are options for which you will need to make a special niche, usually they are considered at the stage of rough finishing of an apartment or house. But a fireplace that fits into furniture and has small dimensions, on the contrary, does not require a lot of effort to fix it.
To understand how to assemble an electric hearth with a 3D flame effect inexpensively (without calling specialists), watch the video.
the most unusual models
If you want to create an original and unique design in your apartment or house, check out the rating of the most memorable fireplace options, according to consumers.
Dimplex took the first place. Its models provide maximum resemblance to a real flame, while connecting it to any type of outlet. The most popular electric fireplace is Electraflame, which requires virtually no additional accessories. The price for such products varies around 75 thousand rubles.
One of the Dimplex models
Modern designers of the Attika Feuer company are also not inferior in their perfection. High-tech style is the perfection of shapes and straight lines that fits perfectly into any modern interior. Of course, they give less heat, but the aesthetic pleasure from such a technique is incredible. The price can vary from 40 to 80 thousand rubles, depending on the chosen model.
Variation of Attika Feuer
In third place, according to consumers, should be Twin-Star International, which has been producing electric fireplaces since 1996.
The models are distinguished by a unique classic design, made only from natural materials, while being easy to install and maintain.
Such a model can work both with and without heating, which is appropriate in a mixed climate.
Interior with Twin-Star International
