Brick fireplace drawing. DIY fireplace construction for a house from a brick
It doesn’t matter what the weather is like, if you have a house where it’s warm and calm, where the wood crackles in a cozy place and you can, sitting in a soft chair with a cup of tea, watch the dancing flames in peace. You have long dreamed of your own fireplace, but have no idea where to start? Want to learn how to make a brick fireplace with your own hands? Read the detailed description with step-by-step instructions, see photos of various projects and come up with your own design.
We design a fireplace
First you need to decide on a place for a fireplace. Most often it is a dining room. Less often - a bedroom. It is best to place a fireplace in the back of the room - in a corner or at the wall farthest from the entrance. Unwanted places - at doors, windows or where drafts are often. The location of the fireplace near the outer wall is also not the best - due to the constant temperature difference. According to the type of construction, wall, island and built-in fireplaces are distinguished.
The ideal option is to create an individual drawing specifically for your room, but if you are not strong in this and do not want to resort to outside help, you can use the finished project, adapting it to the size of your room.
The calculation of the dimensions of the fireplace (namely, its components: firebox, chimney and portal) is as follows:
- The height of the fireplace should be no more than 50% of the height of the room.
- The width of the fireplace is equal to its two heights.
- The firebox has a height equal to 50-70% of the width of the fireplace.
- The depth of the furnace is 2 times less, and the height is 1.5 more than its width.
- The size of the smoke outlet is 10 times smaller than the area of \u200b\u200bthe furnace.
- The chimney is made to the entire height of the house.
Important! In order to prevent sparks and soot from escaping from the fireplace, in its part where the chimney and furnace are in contact, a knee-shaped protective threshold is installed.
What materials will be needed
What should I stock up before starting work? The list is as follows:
Tip. You can check the quality of the brick by hitting it with a hammer or other tool. A poor-quality brick will have a dull sound.
Foundation technology varies depending on the number of floors in the house and the degree of soil freezing. The minimum depth of the foundation (in a one-story building) is 50 cm. The more floors, the deeper the foundation should be. So, for a two-story house, the recommended depth is 1 m. Calculate the width of the foundation, adding 10-20 cm to the width of the fireplace.
When constructing a wood fireplace on the second floor, I-beams are pre-installed in the wall (otherwise the floors may not withstand such a massive structure).
Keep in mind that it is undesirable to connect the foundation of the fireplace with the foundation of the building. Due to their varying degrees of shrinkage, cracks can subsequently go through the fireplace. Between the foundations there should be a gap of at least 5 cm.
How is the foundation created:
- According to preliminary measurements, dig a pit.
- Pour a layer of crushed stone at the bottom (sometimes crushed stone is replaced with broken brick), tamp and level.
- Install wooden formwork.
- Pour more rubble or broken brick (you can both).
- Fill the bottom with liquid cement, pour crushed stone on top (or, again, broken brick).
- Pour the second layer of cement - and add another layer of rubble (or brick fight). Repeat this rotation until about 30 cm remains to the top of the pit. Continuously check the levelness of the surface with a level.
- Cover the base of the foundation with two layers of roofing material.
We put a brick
Now that the foundation is ready, you can begin to lay out the brick. The masonry mortar is prepared as follows:
- mix clay (it is recommended to pre-soak it for a couple of days so that it is saturated with water, and then wipe through the net) and sand (1: 2 ratio);
- dilute the resulting mixture with water to the consistency of thick sour cream.
Spread the first row of bricks, slightly stepping back from the base. Start from the corner. Immerse each brick in water for a few seconds so that air bubbles come out.
An important nuance: obligatory dressing of joints (longitudinal and transverse) - for this, use halves of bricks. And remember that you should not combine ordinary red brick with refractory brick due to differences in their properties (namely, expansion coefficient).
The thickness of the joints should not exceed 3 mm for refractory and 5 mm for ordinary brick. Thicker joints can subsequently cause masonry deformation due to high temperatures.
Make a jumper
The arched ceiling of the opening (fireplace lintel) of brick is made in this way:
- Lay out the side walls to the level where the overlap will begin.
- Install the formwork, place the wedges under the vertical beam (it will then be easier to remove the formwork).
- Mark the location of the bricks on the formwork (do not forget to take into account here also the thickness of the seams). The quantity must be odd. The central (castle) brick should be placed vertically, in the middle of the jumper.
- Lay the brick so that the jumper protrudes slightly. You need to move from the edge to the center (as a guide, sometimes pull the fishing line in the center of the bridge). The seams in this case will be wedge-shaped, and their thickness should not exceed 3 mm in the wide part and 1.5 mm in the narrow.
- The formwork can be removed after 10-14 days, when the mortar finally hardens and the brick "settles".
It is not recommended to use ready-made metal or reinforced concrete lintels for a wood fireplace due to their possible deformation with time under the influence of high temperatures.
We construct a chimney
The main task of the chimney is the removal of combustion products. To ensure this process in the best way, it is recommended to make the inside of the chimney as smooth as possible - that is, lay it with a brick with a smooth surface and periodically wipe it with a cloth moistened with clay mortar.
It is worth keeping in mind the following points:
- the chimney should be vertical;
- so that the seams turn out to be of high quality, there should not be air bubbles in the solution;
- to increase fire safety at the attic floor, the laying of the chimney is expanded (create the so-called butchering);
- the pipe above the roof is laid out of ceramic brick using cement mortar.
An alternative to chimney brickwork is the use of asbestos cement pipes. If you choose this option, it is recommended that insulation be made at the junction of the pipe and the masonry, otherwise it will be difficult to melt the fireplace in frost - the pipe does not hold heat well.
Tip. In the upper and lateral parts of the furnace, make fences that expand outward (towards the room). This will improve heat dissipation.
Fireplace trim
The final stage of work is facing. The choice of material here is quite large.
- To emphasize the respectability of the interior, choose marble and granite.
- Country style coziness will be created by ceramic tiles and natural stone.
- Emphasize the minimalism of the interior lining the fireplace with plasterboard.
- Economy option - plastic panels, lining, brick coating with lime.
- You can leave the brick surface without any decorative treatment or process only the seams.
Important! A fireplace as a heating source is ineffective, especially in winter. Therefore, its presence does not eliminate the need to equip the house with heating systems.
Whatever the size of your suburban dwelling, there is always a place for a fireplace for it. And created with your own hands, with a soul, it will become a real family hearth, in which your household will always be warm, reliable and comfortable in any weather.
Fireplace erection: video
Wood burning fireplace: photo
Increasingly, when erecting new houses on a summer cottage, owners think about arranging a fireplace that performs two important tasks - decorating and heating the room. According to experts, the effectiveness of fireplaces as a tool for heating the premises does not exceed 25%, and therefore it is worthwhile to foresee additional measures to ensure the necessary temperature in the house.
A brick fireplace will add warmth and coziness to the house, and it will not be difficult to stack it according to the order scheme.
However, if you decide to build a full-fledged fireplace from a brick with your own hands, then be prepared to master a number of time-consuming steps, from planning to finishing.
Preliminary stage
The primary work for the novice builder will be the creation of a fireplace project (its ordering), the selection of a location, the selection and purchase of consumables for its construction. As you know, any project begins with a plan. In this case, it is necessary to determine the shape and dimensions of the future design. When calculating the future fireplace, it is worth starting from several factors - the area of \u200b\u200bthe premises in the house, the size of the brick used and the proportions recommended by professional builders. First you need to determine the dimensions of the furnace (combustion chamber). For this, the area of \u200b\u200bthe room must be divided by 100, which will give the desired size. For example, with an area of \u200b\u200ba heated room of 50 sq.m, the size of the furnace should be taken at least 0.5 sq.m.
Next, we calculate the depth and height of the furnace. The calculation here is also quite simple. So, the depth of the furnace is 1.5-2 times less than its width, and the height, on the contrary, is 1.5 times more. Thus, with a furnace width of 0.5 square meters, its depth will be about 30-50 cm, and height (with a masonry width of 3 bricks) will be about 1 m 20 cm.
And another important indicator is the area of \u200b\u200bthe smoke outlet. When choosing its sizes, experts recommend relying on a ratio of 1:10 with respect to the area of \u200b\u200bthe furnace. It is also worth noting the fact that the length of a straight vertical section of the pipe itself should fit within 4-5 m, which will ensure normal traction and prevent smoke.
After making the calculations, you need to turn to drawing up a drawing of the fireplace, detailing each row of the future design. If you do not have sufficiently high skills in engineering graphics, then you can choose a ready-made drawing and orders. The order is a schematic representation of the sequence of laying each row of the fireplace, facilitating the process of laying and control over it. The use of ready-made sketches will allow you to choose the shape of the fireplace (taking into account pre-calculated parameters), determine its place in the room and avoid the simplest mistakes during the laying process.
Back to the table of contents
Choose material
Fireplaces, built with all the requirements in mind, are a very bulky design, the mass of which can reach half a ton. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the choice of building materials and the necessary tools.
The basis of each fireplace for the house, of course, becomes brickwork, therefore, the choice of brick is given priority. For a medium-sized structure, it will be necessary to purchase about 300-350 bricks. When buying, it is recommended to pay attention to the shape of the brick, surface cleanliness and color. The most suitable should be considered a brick with a flat surface of a dense orange color, without chipping corners and fused areas. Any defect of even one brick in the entire structure can lead to additional heat loss and reduce the efficiency of the fireplace as a whole.
In addition to brick, the following consumables will be used:
- refractory clay (at the rate of 1/10 cubic meter per 100 bricks and at least 2/10 cubic meters per foundation);
- cement (grade 200 and higher with a ratio of 30 kg per 100 bricks);
- crushed stone (to form the foundation; a fraction of 3 to 6 cm will become optimal);
- building sand (a stock should be created taking into account the masonry expense of 0.5 cubic meters and 3/10 cubic meters for the foundation);
- reinforcement (about 20 rods 8/10 m long with a cross-sectional diameter of 8-10 mm);
- a set of standard tools (grinder, ruler, plumb, level, welding machine and hacksaw);
- as auxiliary materials - a fireplace plan and order.
Having prepared everything you need and having decided on the location of the fireplace, you can start the construction.
Back to the table of contents
Arrangement and laying of a fireplace
It is very difficult for a simple layman to build a brick fireplace in a house in a house.
But insurmountable obstacles, as you know, do not exist. And therefore, work on the future family hearth should begin with the preparation of the foundation. It should be remembered that the concrete support for the fireplace should be poured separate from the foundation of the house, which will avoid damage to the combustion chamber and chimney during seasonal ground shifts.
First of all, it is necessary to prepare a small foundation pit with dimensions of 0.5 m in depth and a width of 30-35 cm greater than the width of the fireplace itself. The foundation pit is compacted with several layers of sand or sand and gravel. Formwork is installed on the resulting gravel base, the inside of which is reinforced. Reinforcing bars should be laid out crosswise, fastening the joints with welding. A solution is poured into the foundation pit thus prepared, taking into account the fact that the first layer of brick should be at the level of a clean floor. The concrete foundation of the future fireplace will reach its greatest strength in 5-7 days. At this time, it’s worthwhile at home to prepare for the use of clay, soaking it in a barrel. It is also worth taking care of the cleanliness of the sand - it needs to be sieved and washed several times, getting rid of large fractions. Both of these elements will serve as the basis for the mortar used for masonry. For its kneading, it is necessary to fill the washed sand with clay until a uniform dense mass is formed. Excessive fluidity of the solution is not allowed, but excessive dryness is unacceptable.
After making sure that the foundation is strong, you should start marking and laying the fireplace, covering the concrete base with a gasket from roofing sheets. Having outlined the boundaries of the future structure on the wall adjacent to the fireplace, we proceed to the masonry.
As a rule, the first layer is first laid dry, focusing on the existing orders. Only carefully measuring all the bricks, cutting them off with a grinder if necessary, is it worthwhile to start applying the solution under each brick. You should start from the corners, checking horizontality using a plumb or I-beam. In the future, lay a layer, focusing on the finished angular structure and orders. Seams should be made thin, their thickening is allowed only in the core of the masonry.
Excess solution must be removed in a timely manner, and when laying the next refractory element, the required amount of solution should be estimated. Each row laid out using a level to check for horizontalness. If inaccuracies are found in the stacking of a row, eliminate them immediately. The key to success in this work should be considered accurate adherence to the ordering scheme. It is worth remembering that the inner surface of the combustion chamber should be smooth, and small irregularities must be treated with a sponge moistened in a clay solution. Any irregularities allowed in the masonry and decoration in the future will become a place for the collection of soot.
The most careful thing is to apply to laying the tapering elements of the fireplace - the chimney and pipe.
Based on the ordering scheme, it is necessary to carefully select and process each brick, overwriting the irregularities of the inner part with your hand. Remove excess solution with a rag. Narrow the chimney clearance to one brick and block it with a damper.
The final chord of the fireplace construction process is the final work related to the decoration of the external part of the fireplace and the implementation of measures aimed at eliminating the possibility of a fire in the house.
Contemporary fireplace
For many centuries, fireplaces have been used as a source of heat. Today they are used as a decorative item of interiors. Most modern models can act as an additional heating device in a country house or cottage.
A fireplace device made in accordance with all the rules of construction with your own hands can significantly reduce fuel costs and ensure efficient heating of the room.
Examples of the incorrect arrangement of fireplaces can be easily found in the history of mankind, for example, knight's castles, which were always cold, despite the numerous fireplaces in the hall.
To avoid mistakes when building a fireplace with your own hands, it is necessary to study all the subtleties of this matter.
Varieties of Fireplaces
Unlike medieval predecessors, modern fireplaces differ in several categories. The criteria for their difference are the following parameters:
Location
- embedded designs.
- wall.
- island.
The materials used are brick, granite, marble or natural stone. For island structures, mainly cast iron, metal or glass are used.
- Open type.
- Closed.
The first option is characterized by the use of an open firebox in a classic design, the second option uses door closure.
The method of heat transfer
This indicator is determined by the number of parties that can give off heat to the room.
Fuel used
- Wood burning fireplaces.
- Gas.
- Electric.
- Biofireplace.
Types of Fireplaces
Design principle
The device of the fireplace consists of two main parts - the furnace and the chimney. In addition, there are other components:
- heater
- smoke collector
- gate valve
- ashpit
- grate,
- lining,
- forced convection system
- fire cutter
- security doors.
As for the outdoor device, it consists of a cladding and a portal. The portal performs decorative functions, supporting one or another style of the room.
Chimney and traction
Chimneys can be divided into several types based on their design.
- Direct view. Because of its simplicity and versatility, it is it that is used in most cases. Its installation is possible only during the construction of the main building, otherwise you will have to break the floor to install a direct chimney.
- Inclined view. This type of chimney is used in a country house undergoing reconstruction, or indoors, during the construction of a fireplace. The design of the chimney allows you to join the already installed chimney channels or wells for ventilation or exhaust hoods.
To achieve traction efficiency, it is very important to respect the height of the structure. Unlike conventional chimneys, its height should be greater. In addition, the hydraulic resistance in the structure will need to be reduced to minimum values.
This is achieved by selecting the right design. The most successful option is the use of a round pipe, it does not contain corners and has a smooth surface. These qualities prevent the formation of soot, which can inhibit the movement of smoke. Therefore, the chimney can be square in shape and made of brick, but the chimney is made of chimney.
Fireplace and chimney. Scheme 1
In addition to the height of the chimney, it is necessary to take into account the cross section of the pipe, it must be proportional to the size of the furnace hole. The optimal match is the proportion of 1:10 or 1:12.
To reduce heat loss, you need to take care of the materials used and their thickness. Typically, refractory or hollow bricks are used. Based on the location of the chimney, the type of masonry is selected, for example, for construction near the outer wall, 1 brick is laid, and, for devices located inside the ceilings, a ½ brick construction method is used.
The construction of the chimney must be accompanied by the tightness of the seams, an inattentive attitude to this process can lead to air entering through the cracks in the structure, resulting in a decrease in the draft of the fireplace.
In addition to the above factors, the pipe head can affect the reduction in traction. To avoid this, it is necessary to purchase the simplest designs, without additional design elements. In addition, when installing it, it is necessary to take into account the width of its walls above the roof level, the optimal width should be at least 1 brick.
To protect the chimney from the influence of climatic conditions, a special nozzle is used, which is installed above the head.
Firebox and its device
To improve the heat-reflecting ability of the fireplace in a private house, use the location of the furnace walls at an angle.
This can be achieved by turning the side partitions outward, and by positioning the rear wall, tilted forward. The formation of the angle of inclination can be made from 1/3 of the height of the furnace.
A smoke chamber is installed on top of the furnace opening. To prevent the ingress of soot and sparks from the furnace passage into the room, a special “pass” is installed between the furnace opening and the smoke chamber. In addition, its function also includes the protection of the room from smoke.
The start of construction begins with the counting of materials. The easiest way is to build a fireplace with your own hands using a brick. To calculate the size of the furnace department, several factors must be taken into account:
- Sizes of bricks.
- The thickness of the seams.
- The size of the fireplace based on the estimated area.
After that, an ordinal drawing (ordering) of all steps is developed. For the convenience of forming the order, use a regular sheet of notebook in a cage, since in the process of laying a brickwork of 1, ½ and ¾ is used.
The laying of the hearth begins with the basement. To improve the external data, this row is laid out by installing a brick on the edge, and, already from the next row, the masonry is continued with flat brick.
Fireplace masonry
Additional items
In addition to the listed parts, other details are involved in the design of the fireplace:
Drawings and schemes
Building fireplaces with your own hands will require a drawing or a work flow chart. Schemes are performed in four ways:
- side view,
- on top
- straight,
- in the context.
Having a drawing, not only the process of making a chimney with your own hands is simplified, but also the calculation of the amount of necessary materials is much faster.
When preparing the drawing, it is necessary to take into account such details:
- Calculation of the foundation and the possibility of combining it with the finished construction of the house.
- The scheme of openings in the ceilings and the roof structure.
- Calculation of materials for construction and decoration.
- The development of the appearance of the fireplace.
- Calculation of heat transfer.
- Ease of use design and explication.
- Fire resistance.
- Safety of use.
Professionals always draw up a drawing with the order, where the location of each brick is indicated. When constructing a furnace equipment with your own hands, a drawing or diagrams must be carried out under the supervision of an experienced stove-maker, this will greatly simplify the process and help to avoid design errors.
Location selection
To build a fireplace with your own hands, you will need to decide where this structure will be located. Based on this, fireplaces are divided into four types:
- Wall.
- Corner
- Embedded.
- Freestanding.
Typically, a place for a fireplace is selected near the main wall of the house, away from drafts, stairs and corridors. Next to it, it is necessary to provide a recreation area, which you can do with your own hands to taste and based on your capabilities.
The base under the fireplace should be made of fireproof material.
Video: DIY fireplace stove
The secrets of treating joint pain from our regular reader.
Hello!
My name is Genadiy Alekseevich. I am a stove-maker with an experience of more than 20 years. I am engaged in both repair and construction of Russian stoves and fireplaces. I always carry out the work very efficiently and carefully, which negatively affects the condition of the joints. With age, the pain began to get stronger, up to a state where I could no longer work. Having tried a lot of both medical and folk methods of treatment, I realized how serious my disease is, since there was no positive effect. Until I came across one remedy, which I want to tell you about.
This is a unique mixture of the rarest and most powerful natural healing substances. This tool has proved its effectiveness not only to patients, but also to science, which recognized it as an effective drug. Joint and back pain goes away in 10-15 days, studies have shown. The main thing is to strictly follow the instructions in the methodology. You can order the product in its original packaging, with a guarantee of quality, at
Any brick fireplace is able to create a peaceful and cozy atmosphere in the house. Installing this design is a rather complicated process, however, if you wish, you can create a product with your own hands. To do this, you need to choose a good material and follow the ordering scheme.
Description and designs of fireplaces
A brick fireplace is like a simple stove where the firebox is open. Visually, the product is a small niche in the wall. It is important to remember that a similar construction of brick differs in small heat transfer, which means that in winter additional heating will be required.
Today, there are a number of projects of brick wood fireplaces for the home.
Foundation device
It must be remembered that the weight of a corner or other wood fireplace can be more than 500 kg. Accordingly, you have to take care of the foundation. Ideally, it is included in the overall construction project. If the house is already ready, you need to perform several important calculations.
In any case, the dimensions of the foundation depend on the dimensions of the wood corner fireplace from a brick. At the same time, it is important to ensure that there is a gap of 5 cm between the foundation of the building and the stone structure. Sand is located here, which will help to avoid the formation of cracks during shrinkage.
For single-story houses, the pit depth should be about 50 cm, and for two-story houses - at least 80 cm. At the bottom of the pit, a sand cushion is arranged. If the soil is loose, a mixture of sand and gravel is required. All layers are carefully tamped and moistened. For the construction of the foundation of a corner fireplace, concrete is optimal.
Do-it-yourself foundation construction takes place in this way:
- a formwork is created, the dimensions of which correspond to the dimensions of the foundation;
- as a waterproofing, roofing material or bitumen is used;
- the formwork is neatly laid on the base of large stones and rubble, then the layer is poured with a solution, then rubble stone is located;
- the upper part of the foundation is leveled and covered with plastic wrap.
It is important to ensure that the top layer rises above the clean floor at a distance of 5 cm.
Brick fireplace construction
First of all, it is necessary to outline the contours of a wood fireplace on the wall. The foundation itself is covered with a waterproofing layer. Refractory brick is rinsed in water to remove dust. Conventional bricks are usually soaked for 30 seconds. This will help get rid of air bubbles.
The work is carried out in stages.
When constructing a brick fireplace, you need to take care of the presence of a chimney. This will require a sand-cement mortar and red brick. You will also need a smoke box or a cap made of galvanized iron.
Important points
In order for the design to turn out to be durable, reliable and safe, it is necessary to remember several important nuances in the process of its creation.
- When constructing a firebox, it is necessary to organize a semblance of a trough, so that firewood or ash will not fall out of here.
- Refractory brick is suitable for organizing the inside of the furnace. It is recommended to lay it with a cone.
- In the area where the fireplace goes to the chimney, you need to install a valve to control the draft.
- To fix the frame of the fireplace insert, clasps are used, that is, steel strips 3 mm thick. They are placed in the seam of the masonry, and then poured with a solution.
- It is important to remember that the coefficient of thermal expansion of the metal exceeds the same indicator of brick. Respectively, between the frame and the masonry itself, it is necessary to place asbestos insulation 5 mm thick.
- In the process of constructing the structure, it is worthwhile to provide for functional niches. This is a place for storing firewood, as well as a kind of countertop where you can store utensils.
- Finished brick structures must be dried for 5-7 days, avoiding drafts in the room. After this, you can begin to heat. The structure is warmed up gradually so that the solution evenly bakes. You can proceed to the finishing work only after this stage.
Brick fireplaces: photo
Finishing a finished brick fireplace
As you can see from the photo of brick fireplaces, there are many options for finishing the finished structure.
The most expensive option is to use natural stone. Most often it is marble or granite. Similar material help maintain an optimal indoor climate, and will also become the best decoration of the interior. During the installation process, such expensive materials are necessarily wrapped in a film, so that scratches or chips can be avoided. Laying is carried out from below using tile glue.
Plaster is considered a simpler option. With its help, it will be possible to align the walls and hide the defects. After that, you can paint the fireplace in any shade.
If the masonry is done really well, and the brick was not damaged during the work, then you can not do finishing the finished structure.
Features and Benefits
Home fireplaces appeared in Russia in the XIII century, and replaced the stove in some houses. The fireplace was not only a heating design, but also a luxurious decor. Open fire and crackling firewood create a homely atmosphere and warm atmosphere. A fireplace, as a way of heating and decor, will easily fit into many interior styles: classic, modern, hi-tech. With the help of the fireplace you can zon the room and create a cozy corner for family holidays.
Which is better: brick or cast iron?
Cast iron. The design of a modern fireplace usually consists of a thick-walled firebox, a body and a chimney. Some models can be connected to the pipeline using a heat exchanger. This eliminates the need for central heating and the purchase of water heaters. The term of operation with constant use will be more than 15 years. It is worth choosing high-quality models with firmly installed parts and from thick cast iron.
Durable cast iron fireplace will last a long time. The material withstands the highest temperatures and is less prone to fading.
When exposed to high temperature, the design of the furnace does not deform.
Cast iron has a high heat dissipation. After the wood is burned in the fireplace, cast iron will store and distribute heat for a long time, which allows heating large rooms and saves costs.
Many companies offer to buy a ready-made cast-iron fireplace. Assembly and installation will not be difficult, but if you plan to install a heat exchanger, it is better to enlist the support of a specialist.
The cast iron stove option will not be as expensive as the stone or brick models. The average model will cost 20-25 thousand rubles.
Do not sharply cool the cast iron stove, cold water, ice or snow can damage the material. Also, you do not need to hit a red-hot fireplace, from this it can burst.
Regular and thorough care is required. All heavily contaminated parts of the fireplace: ash pan, chimney, must not be ignored and regular cleaning is mandatory.
To many, this version of the fireplace seems unpresentable due to the black color and simplicity of the material. But the cast-iron stove can be ordered with any finish; special paint is not subject to changes even due to the high temperature.
A brick oven is most often installed in country houses. The material allows you to build a structure yourself. With regular use, a brick fireplace will begin to deteriorate after 5 years. Brick stoves allow you to quickly heat the room, even in the cold season.
The design is quite durable, resistant to sudden changes in temperature and humidity, which makes it less fragile.
A real brick fireplace is quite simple to use, unlike cast iron, it does not need frequent cleaning.
High-quality brick does not emit harmful substances and unpleasant odors when heated.
In order to lay out a brick fireplace yourself, you must have the appropriate experience and special tools, otherwise the help of a specialist stove-maker is necessary. Even the smallest mistakes made during installation can affect the good functioning of the fireplace.
Quality bricks are expensive material. Also needed are the costs of operating the stove, strengthening the floor and decoration.
Brick stoves are quite heavy; a solid foundation is needed to install them.
Installation on the lower floors. In modern apartments, it is difficult to install a brick fireplace. The partition between floors may not support the weight, and the installation of the hood will have to be coordinated with a special authority.
Varieties of material
The modern market offers a wide selection of bricks: fireclay, clinker, etc. Basic requirements for bricks for laying fireplaces and stoves:
Resistance to temperature changes. Unsuitable bricks during sudden cooling or heating can crack or deform, resulting in quick wear of the fireplace.
Accumulation and preservation of heat for a long time. In the cold season, it is important enough that the room heats up quickly, and the brick retains heat for a long time, even after the cessation of burning wood.
Mechanical strength
Resistance to open flame. Be sure to check the quality certificate, which indicates the main characteristics and properties of the material. For fireplaces and stoves, GOST 390-96 must be indicated.
Fireclay bricks are obtained from special clay “chamotte” and some additives. Alumina gives the brick special strength and environmental protection.
Clinker brick - has high strength and low moisture absorption. It can be used both in construction and in cladding. The color palette ranges from yellow to dark brown.
A special type of clay, “lean”, is mixed with various mineral additives, which gives the brick special strength and temperature resistance. Clinker bricks are less abraded, and variants with a glazed surface do not absorb moisture at all (ordinary bricks absorb up to 25% moisture), which is especially important for outdoor fireplaces.
Periclase brick is expensive; rather rare minerals are used in its manufacture. But, at the same time, periclase brick has high refractoriness and is often used for the construction of fireplaces.
To decorate the fireplace, curly brick is used. You can choose a different shape, texture and color. Do not forget that the facing material for the fireplace should have the same characteristics of strength and fire resistance. Sometimes, when facing, carved ceramic brick elements are used in the form of a triangle, an arch, a trapezoid and even a circle.
When choosing a quality kiln brick, you should pay attention to the brand of the manufacturer. One of the best firms producing facing and furnace bricks is “Lode”. A Latvian company uses high-quality and environmentally friendly materials in its production, monitors modern technologies and trends. Thanks to the wide color palette, you can choose a brick for any interior: make a modern fireplace from light brick or antique from a material with an artificial effect of antiquity.
The effect of antiquity can be given to a fireplace by using brick made from hand molding in the masonry. Do not worry because of the quality of such a brick, it has the same high-strength properties. But, such material is quite high at cost. The advantage of brick from manual molding is not only in appearance, but also in environmental friendliness, in its manufacture pure clay without impurities is used.
To obtain a unique texture and color apply:
- Firing with the addition of special coal powder.
- Make secondary firing.
- Squeeze through a mold with water.
- Processed with colored sand.
Types of models
You can choose a brick fireplace by location, by the amount of space and functional preferences. Modern manufacturers provide a large selection of fireplace designs with various features: small street, for home or even apartment.
According to their location, classic fireplaces are distinguished: corner model, built-in, island.
The corner model is suitable for relatively small rooms and does not take up much space. Such a country mini fireplace is quite simple to manufacture, has good traction and a stable design. Corner models quickly heat up and heat the room.
If you need to install a fireplace in the apartment, for laying it is worth choosing an external wall, but not next to the window, this will reduce the heating of the brick. It is necessary to coordinate the project with the construction and fire inspectorate, to find out what floors in the room may have to install an electric smoke exhaust in addition to the chimney.
In order not to risk and avoid unnecessary red tape, you can install a small false fireplace or electric wall. You can make a false fireplace "under the brick" with your own hands, and wax candles of different shapes and heights will replace the fire.
An island fireplace is perfect for zoning a room, unlike a wall fireplace, it can be placed anywhere. This model is suitable for large rooms, as takes up a lot of space. The hanging chimney does not attach to the wall and must be of a sufficiently strong, stable construction. The minus of the island type model is low heat transfer, but this can be corrected using high-quality bricks and additional decorative elements, they are also designed to retain heat.
The built-in option is the most compact. The chimney is laid inside the wall, and the portal protrudes from it just half a brick. This option must be decorated with decorative material, this will retain heat and decorate the interior. Often, built-in models complement the top shelf, it will perfectly fit frames with photographs, graceful figurines or candles of different sizes and heights.
Open or closed?
Classic open fireplace option. There are models in which fire is visible from one side, two, three or four. The angular and built-in design require one-sided opening, and the island - two, three or four. Open fire will create a cozy atmosphere in the interior, but the more open the sides, the lower the degree of heating of the room. Due to the lack of brick walls, the heat goes into the chimney, not lingering in the room, the brick fireplace acquires a more decorative function.
An open firebox is more functional, it is often installed on the street. On an open fire, you can cook a barbecue, which eliminates the need to buy a barbecue. The classic English fireplace is always made open, this gives the interior more comfort. Models made of old bricks look especially impressive.
A closed firebox is safer than an open, burning occurs behind heat-resistant glass. The heat generated by combustion remains in the room longer. A plus is the ability to accurately control combustion up to several degrees, air is supplied using special mechanical levers, and not through an open space. A closed firebox, even with panoramic glazing, can be the main source of heat in the house and at the same time allows you to admire the fire. A glazed fireplace can be combined with a stove.
Fireplace
The fireplace looks great in the interior, but has a lot of heat loss, to avoid this, you can combine two designs - the stove and the fireplace.
The stove will allow heat to remain longer in the room, and if you equip a special plane with a hob, you can cook without using a gas stove. Fire in the oven can provide sufficient temperature to heat food and prepare it. This model is called "Swedish" and is suitable for cooking, heating, storing clothes. The hob is made of cast iron and may have several burners.
Fire in a fireplace can be open or closed. The enclosed design is more functional and takes up less space. Glazed firebox can be used as a stove and fireplace at the same time. Such samples are more suitable for home interiors than outdoor.
Device and construction
The chimney is an important part of the design of the fireplace and has two options:
Direct construction. The option with a direct chimney is installed directly at the time of construction of the building. Simplicity and versatility make the design convenient and widely applicable.
Inclined design. Convenient for reconstruction or repair, allows you to connect the chimney to the already finished channels.
The chimney can be with corners (rectangular, triangular) and made of brick, but experts recommend embedding a metal chimney in it with a smooth surface, this will help to avoid the formation of soot.
To improve heat transfer in the construction of the furnace, you can position its walls at a slight slope, and the installation of a special smoke chamber will protect the room from sparks and soot.
Also, to improve heating, you can additionally lay out a heating shield made of brick, it will allow heat to linger longer, which is very important in large rooms with fireplace heating.
The exterior design consists of a portal and cladding. The portal is the part framing the firebox from the outside. Doors can be attached to the portal, if the brick fireplace is closed. A fireplace with a glass door gives a full view of the fire and is not much inferior to an open device.
You can also insert a door made of high-strength tempered glass with tinting, the fire behind it looks very nice and soft. Warm bronze tones will do, but cold graphite will look good in a modern interior.