In our time, a fireplace is considered a sign of a person's well-being and emphasizes his status. And if a few centuries ago they were really necessary for heating houses, now they are rather a decorative element designed to decorate the room. And, like any decorative element, those studied have undergone major changes in recent years. There was a huge variety of new accessories and accessories for fireplaces. To some extent, their very concept has changed. All this will be discussed in this article.
History of occurrence
Initially, fireplaces originated from the most primitive sources of open fire, which were needed for heating homes, cooking, driving away wild animals and much more. In the process of human development, they began to limit the fire - first, holes appeared above the hearth, which allowed smoke to escape, then the first chimneys appeared, fireplaces began to be placed near the walls, and as a result, they merged with the walls. Even at the dawn of the second millennium AD, most of the objects were already familiar to us - they were located in the corner of the room, and the chimney was built intowall or close to it. And if in the Middle Ages they were huge in order to heat large rooms, then with the development of construction technologies and a decrease in the heat consumption of rooms, they began to gradually decrease in size, more and more turning into a decorative element, and in this form they have reached the present times.
Current time
Now fireplaces in their classic form can only be found in country and village houses, it is clear that in an apartment it is impossible to install a chimney, not to mention the possible problems associated with fire safety. However, one cannot ignore such a phenomenon as biofireplaces and electric fireplaces. Such objects are exclusively decorative elements designed to replace a full-fledged one at home. Biofireplaces are devices that, instead of burning solid fuels, burn special combustible mixtures that do not leave smoke or harmful compounds. Often they are enclosed in glass. That allows you to put them anywhere, and build them into the walls. They do not require an extractor hood or special accessories for the fireplace, they are completely safe and environmentally friendly. However, their combustion temperature is not too high, and such bio-fireplaces are not suitable for heating - but it is difficult to get burned about them. Electric fireplaces are a complete imitation of ordinary ones, they are connected to the electrical network and only depict combustion. However, a realistic picture of combustion, complete safety, the absence of consumables and the ability to work in heating mode make such products very popular. Another undoubted advantage of such an element of decor iscomplete lack of need for care.
Traditional fireplaces nowadays
However, nothing can replace a real fireplace, in which wood crackles comfortably, and many will agree with this. The unique atmosphere of comfort is difficult to convey by simulation. Therefore, in country houses, the objects under study are not a rare occurrence. However, they require a lot of maintenance. For its normal functioning, it is necessary not only to clean the chimney and throw away burnt residues, but also to monitor its safety and solve minor problems. That is what accessories and accessories for the fireplace are for. More on that later.
Fireplace accessories
For the care of the fireplace now there are special sets - most often they consist of panicles, tongs and scoops. For storing firewood, log baskets and firewood racks are used, which can be either on wheels for ease of transportation, or without. For thorough cleaning of the studied objects, special vacuum cleaners are used, which can withstand temperatures much higher than conventional vacuum cleaners. The fact is that coals can smolder for a very long time, the heat inside them can persist for hours, or even days, if they lie deep, and therefore ordinary vacuum cleaners are not suitable for cleaning and can even be dangerous. To fan a larger fire and keep the flame going, there are special bellows on the market, both manual and electric. Thus, whole sets of accessories are necessary for a fireplace. Which, moreover, should be stored next to the object under study. And this makes them as much a design element as the fireplace itself.
Forged accessories
The studied element itself is perceived as something old and solid. Therefore, forged products are the most popular among accessories for it. Handwork makes any item unique in its kind, metal products create an antique atmosphere, and hand-forged ones are the perfect choice. There are offers on the market from manufacturers from all over the world that provide handmade accessories for stoves and fireplaces in whole sets. Such sets are immediately designed in the same style, sold all together and will serve as an excellent addition to any decor element. In addition, they come with a servitor stand or a figured bucket in which they can be conveniently stored.
Craft Opportunities
Forging fireplace accessories with your own hands is quite possible. Those who are engaged in forging metal will cope with this without difficulty! After all, no complex shapes need to be given to metal - the main accessories for a fireplace are a poker, a scoop and tongs. And those who want to try this for the first time can always find detailed forging instructions and video tutorials on the Internet. DIY accessories are not just useful tools, but also a reason to be proud.
Doors for the object under study
One of the most frequentquestions from happy users. Do you really need a fireplace door? The answer is definitely yes. Most modern products are made with doors - they provide the constancy of the hood and its control, which is impossible with an open fire. Being made of heat-resistant materials, fireplace doors prevent possible fires and serve as fire protection. Since most of the doors for the objects under study are made of glass, they do not interfere with admiring the fire and at the same time allow you to warm yourself around it. However, many people neglect the doors for fireplaces and prefer to admire the open fire. In this case, curtains are used to dissipate heat from the product, installed at a distance from the source of fire. And yet, the use of doors for fireplaces is highly desirable, because even one flying coal can cause a fire.
Conclusion
Fireplace is a complex decorative element that requires a lot of care and safety. A full-fledged object is possible only in country houses, it requires installation and often planning of the whole house for its use. For convenience, fireplace accessories are used, photos of which can be found in this article and on specialized resources. Accessories for the studied element of decor become as important "participants" of the composition, design, as he himself. Therefore, they should be chosen carefully - at a minimum, you need to make sure that they fit the style of the object and the room itself. And for those who do not have the opportunity or desire to live incountry house and take care of a traditional product, there is always the opportunity to buy a biofireplace or an electric one and enjoy the game of fire or its imitation at home.
