Most owners of private houses dream of installing a stylish, romantic and cozy interior item - a fireplace, the dimensions of which largely depend on what function it will perform - heating or decorative.
Live fire is fraught with not only beauty, but also a high probability of a fire, so a careful calculation must precede the laying of a fireplace.
How to calculate the dimensions of the fireplace?
A full-fledged source of heat (even if it is auxiliary, and not the main one) is often a fireplace. The dimensions of this heating structure for a room with an area of 20 m22 are as follows:
- firebox area should vary within 0.4 m2;
- height of the furnace hole - 52 cm, width - 78 cm;
- hearth depth should be 34-35 cm.
The cross-sectional area and the height of the chimney are no less important values that require a separate and especially careful calculation. A fireplace, the dimensions of which are calculated incorrectly, can pose a real threat to the he alth and life of a person, which lies in the possibilityingress of combustion products and carbon monoxide into the room. The optimal ratio of the cross-sectional area of \u200b\u200bthe chimney and the fuel hole is considered to be 1/10, however, the standard size of the fireplace is not an axiom, since each individual case requires an individual accurate calculation.
Sizing wood burning fireplaces
Wood-burning fireplaces are designs where all family members often and with pleasure gather during cold autumn and winter evenings. The sound of crackling firewood and the sight of dancing flames inevitably create a unique atmosphere of calm and comfort. Real brick fireplaces are not cheap, so many home craftsmen have a desire to do this work on their own. Of course, this lesson cannot be called simple, but if everything is done in accordance with the rules, then the result will definitely be positive.
The fireplace includes the following required components:
- furnace;
- smoke chamber;
- chimney.
The size of each element must have the required ratio with the dimensions of the heated room.
So, for example, the area of the furnace hole in relation to the total area of the room should be 1:50. At the same time, the height and width are related as 2:3, and the depth and height of the furnace varies from 1:2 to 2:3.
The size of the smoke hole is most affected by the furnace area. The required level of draft can be provided as follows: the area of the furnace should be 8-15 timesmore cross-sectional area of the chimney. At the same time, if a round pipe is planned for installation, then you can choose a smaller section than if the chimney was square or rectangular.
Material selection
Wood-burning fireplaces are best built from solid red fireclay bricks.
The quality of this material can be checked by the following indicators:
- color should be uniform and thick;
- a hammer strike on a brick should "return" with a sonorous and clear sound.
In addition, you will need:
- sand, the grain size of which should not exceed 1.5 mm;
- Cambrian clay, and you can also use brown or dark red;
- crushed stone - 3-6 mm;
- Portland cement grade 300.
Also need to buy:
- smoke damper;
- fireplace screen;
- grate.
Foundation
Before you start building a home, you need to take care of a separate foundation. The depth of the pit should be 60 cm, and the width should be 10 cm larger than the dimensions of the future foundation.
The bottom should be covered with rubble and carefully tamped to keep it horizontal.
Next, you need to make formwork, which will require wooden boards. For waterproofing, you should purchase roofing felt or resin.
The installed formwork must be covered with broken bricks, stones or gravel, and then poured with thoroughly mixed cement mortar. The top of the foundation should be leveled and checked forhorizontality. After 7 days, you can start building a fireplace.
Features of masonry fireplace
Before starting the construction of such a useful invention as a fireplace, the dimensions of which were determined by us earlier, waterproofing should be provided. This will require roofing material laid in 2 layers. Laying should start from the corners. In this case, you need to constantly monitor the level. To give the structure an original look, you can lay the bottom row on the edge, and all subsequent ones - flat. Outer solid rows require the use of a trowel or trowel. The smoke collector or firebox should be done manually, as this helps to detect small pebbles in the solution.
It is important to remember that when building a smoke box and a firebox, a fireplace stove requires removing excess mortar with a damp cloth. We must not forget that the inner wall is not exposed to plastering. The seam must be thin, otherwise it can quickly crack. Modern fireplaces need a half-brick stitching in each row.
The lining of the firebox and the outer wall should not be connected, otherwise, due to frequent temperature changes, masonry damage may occur.
About modern fireplaces
Every person is pleased to hear the sound of crackling wood and feel the warmth of the flame. Similar feelings can be enjoyed not only in nature, but also in your own home. Brick fireplaces are capable of making dreams come true. The main tasks of this equipment include not only the creationcomfort and coziness in the house, but also its heating.
Modern fireplaces can consume as fuel:
- coal;
- natural wood;
- gas;
- electricity.
There are many ready-made fireplaces on the market. The difference is made by open and closed types of fire chambers. In addition, a fireplace stove can have a closed combined heating system or an open one, where the type of furnace directly depends on the wishes of the buyer.
Modern fireplace is a versatile and practical design that can be installed anywhere.
Fireplace as a design element
Fireplace is a great design solution that can emphasize the overall style of the room. For its design, classic style, modern, country or any other pleasing to the owner can be used.
Fireplace heating requires accessories such as poker, tongs, ash pan and grate. True, modern society pays much more attention to the emotional and psychological role of this structure. That is why the fireplace is not recommended to be installed in a small room, at the door or in the aisle. The ideal option is comfortable chairs located in a spacious room, a special equipment stand and a neat footstool.
Country style, or rustic: unpretentiousness against the backdrop of modest charm
The etymology of the word "rustic" speaks of the most characteristic features of this style - deliberate "uncouth","roughness", stylization for a rustic interior (in another way, this style is called country). The desire of our forefathers to bring an element of aesthetics into the arrangement of their primitive dwellings gave rise to this architectural direction, which subsequently began to develop so widely and comprehensively.
Country style is characterized by natural details, components and materials, emphatically “rough” processing and an open hearth shape. The most suitable materials are: shell rock, sandstone, tuff stone, etc.
About the exquisite excesses of the Baroque fireplace
The Baroque style, which originated in Europe in the Middle Ages, is a reflection of taste in Renaissance architecture. This direction is also appropriate in such a matter as the styles of fireplaces. It is distinguished by: the dynamism of the image, excessive splendor and luxury, a certain illusory form and lines, pomposity and decorativeness.
Modern style
Lovers of Art Nouveau style will easily abandon most decor elements in favor of an unusual color experiment. This direction is characterized by: elongation, foam-like shape, a constructive combination of stone and metal parts, as well as the presence of ceramics or glass in the cladding. Adepts of the style are unusual geometric shapes, restraint, conciseness, as well as unconventional design solutions. As a worthy accompaniment to an Art Nouveau fireplace, one can single out a large abstract or landscape painting, minimally decorated furniture, walls covered with asymmetrical lines and mutedcolor range.
