If there is a brick fireplace in the house, then the atmosphere of warmth and comfort definitely reigns around it. This item can be not only a device for space heating, but also an excellent accent in the interior, which emphasizes the style and individuality of your home. Today, fireplaces can be bought just in the store. These include mainly electric and gas. Brick fireplaces, photos of which make us want to see such beauty at home, are always built to order. Therefore, now we will consider what types of them exist and how to build them with our own hands.
Types of brick fireplaces
By construction type, these construction projects can be divided into four categories:
- Closed. This type occupies a minimum of free space, since with its firebox and chimneys it goes deep into the bowels of the walls. The catch is that such stoves are built along with the house, and nothing else.
- Half-open. Such a brick fireplace can bebuild when the house is ready, but it will be problematic. You will have to install all exhaust systems, content with a minimum of free space.
- Open. The most suitable model for spacious rooms, especially if the ceiling is high. The fireplace can be right in the center of the room, part of a dividing wall, or even the wall itself.
- Angular. Ideal for heating adjoining rooms. Moreover, such a structure will not take up much space in the room.
What will be required from building materials
To build a brick fireplace with your own hands, we need the following components. Frame brick, cement, sand, clay, crushed stone, facing stone. When buying each of the listed materials, pay attention not only to their quality, but also to uniformity. Bricks should be the same, without white spots, bumps, etc. Cement and other binding materials must also comply with GOSTs so that your home-made stove does not fall apart in a year. Of course, the facing material should be even, without a single flaw.
Foundation arrangement
In order for a brick fireplace to hold on for a long time and reliably, it is necessary to "seat" it properly with a solid foundation. The dimensions of the latter are determined by the parameters of the sides of the fireplace, increased by 10-15 centimeters. The depth of the trench should be about 50 cm if the house is one-story. For two-story cottages - at least 80 cm. If the soil is very dense, thena sandy air cushion is poured under the fireplace. If the soils are floating, then crushed stone is added there. For the construction of the foundation itself, it is better to use rubble concrete. You can also lay stones, fill them with rubble and thoroughly fill everything with cement. After that, it is important to check the foundation for evenness. The surface should be perfectly horizontal, without slopes and drops. If everything is ready, cover the foundation with a film and leave it for a week to strengthen it. Keep in mind that it should be 5-7 cm below the floor level.
Brickwork of walls and ceilings
In order to continue building further, we need drawings of brick fireplaces. Such documents always take into account the parameters of each unit of building material, the final dimensions of the furnace, and the thickness of its walls. Therefore, in accordance with your specific project, we begin laying bricks on the foundation. The base must be isolated with a roofing material or a waterproofing layer. The firebox is built using refractory bricks, which are then covered with masonry. The next stage is the construction of the back wall and two side walls. The thickness of each of them should reach 20 cm. You should always start building walls from the corners, checking the horizontal level with a level.
Helpful tips
To make your brick fireplace last longer, rinse the refractory bricks in water before building to remove dust from them. Ordinary ones must be soaked in water for 30 seconds. So air bubbles will come out of them, and they will become more durable. Seams try to do asas small as possible, filling every free space with a solution. Make sure that inside the firebox the surface of each brick is perfectly smooth. If there are holes or bumps, rub them as carefully as possible. Another point is the installation of metal structures on the facade of the fireplace. Experts recommend taking into account the coefficient of thermal expansion of the metal, which ranges from 5-10 mm. It is best to discard this material.
Universal Projects
Brick corner fireplace is very popular today. It is installed not only in houses, but also in apartments, both for purely decorative purposes and for heating. It is good because it takes up very little space, while heating several rooms at once. What should be considered when installing such a structure? First, do not place it near the outer walls. So he will heat the street. Secondly, all surfaces of this structure, including the chimney, must fit snugly against the wall. And thirdly, try to install a corner fireplace so that there is a TV on one of the walls adjacent to it. So you can create a cozy place to relax in your home.
Interior design
Brick fireplaces play a very important role in the surroundings of any home. Photos from many magazines show us that with this model of a heater, you can create an interior in an old, classic or fabulous style. brickwork createsa feeling of comfort and warmth, therefore it is recommended to surround it with wooden furniture and carpets. Another option is the loft style. Bricks can be painted in a single color that will blend in with the tone of the walls. Fireplaces are also tiled, leveled with putty and painted, pasted over with various other decorative elements.
Conclusion
Building a brick fireplace at home is a piece of cake, especially if you are building it along with the building itself. If you customize it to the finished design, then there will be more trouble, but it is still possible to cope with this task. The main thing is to arrange a solid foundation, make the walls of the fireplace perfectly even, and decorate it in the appropriate style so that it becomes a worthy decoration of the room.
