Lay out a brick hearth in the house, not everyone dares, but anyone can mount a fireplace insert and revet it if desired. In this case, you need to choose the optimal place, prepare a base that will be able to withstand it, and place non-combustible materials on the walls. You also need to think about how the chimney pipe will be attached, which must be fireproof.
The concept and classification of the equipment in question
Fireplaces are divided into open and closed. The latter are considered safer, especially if children live in the house. In these situations, it is better to use cast iron fireplace inserts.
In the closed version, one of the walls is replaced by a door, usually made of glass.
This form has its advantages and disadvantages.
The first are:
- small view of the fire;
- the glass behind which it burns must be constantly cleaned;
- high-quality cast iron fireboxes cost quite a lot of money;
- by default its color is black - if you want to add a color frame to it, you will also have to pay a decent amount.
She has more advantages:
- higher efficiency, especially for those equipped with heat storage;
- huge assortment;
- manufacturer's warranty;
- Longer service life compared to open parts, while burnt-out parts can be replaced;
- better fire safety due to no open flames;
- relatively low cost compared to open fireclay models;
- Easier installation that can be done by yourself.
Also emit water fireplace inserts. They are used for heating, and not just for decorating. Their main drawback is that in winter the work must be uninterrupted, otherwise the heating system may defrost. With the help of such a fireplace, you can survive the winter on an area of \u200b\u200bup to 500 square meters. m. At the same time, it is compatible with all heating systems installed in the house, so you can install it yourself without the involvement of specialists.
In this article we will look at how to install a cast iron firebox.
Tools and materials for ground preparation
At this stage you will need:
- brick;
- cement-sand mix;
- insulation;
- roulette;
- trowel;
- level;
- metal reinforcing mesh;
- waterproofing material.
The mass of the fireplace insert together with the hearth body is quite impressive, so the base must be as reliable and durable as possible. It should not have differences in height, which can lead to uneven subsidence of the structure and the appearance of cracks. If it is impossible to purchase non-combustible materials, the walls adjacent to the fireplace insert are sheathed with galvanized sheets with refractory material.
Performing markup
The place under the fireplace is chosen with such an eye that it is clean and free. With the help of a tape measure, its linear dimensions are measured, which are in a horizontal plane, with the help of chalk, markings are applied to the floor. If there is a wooden load-bearing wall, it is better to remove its part under the fireplace by cutting it out, or replace it with brickwork, or lay a brick partition right next to it.
In the latter case, its installation is carried out on the same foundation on which the firebox will be located. Accordingly, in this case, it is necessary to add the thickness of the masonry to the linear dimensions. On the wall to which it will adjoin, lines are also drawn with chalk along its width.
In this case, it should be taken into account that if a fireplace with a closed firebox is installed, then it needs an average of 500 cubic meters of air, so its additional flow into the room should be ensured by installing a pipe with an automatic ventilation system.
Filling the foundation
It's being donea slightly larger area compared to that of the fireplace, for which 30-40 cm are additionally added on each side. The depth of the foundation for the fireplace insert, installed with your own hands, should be at least 50 cm. the foundation is cut out with lags. The mixed cement-sand mixture is poured into the prepared formwork, gradually leveling and shifting with a reinforcing mesh.
The foundation can be made of red brick, which is laid out with dressing in several rows until the foundation reaches the level of the finished floor. The surface is checked for evenness with a level, the prepared solution is used for leveling. After the latter has dried, the base is covered with waterproofing.
Building a partition and making a pedestal
Masonry is made of refractory materials: tongue-and-groove slabs, bricks or aerated concrete. Between the firebox and the masonry, a free space is left, which will ensure the exit of heated air. Blocks or bricks are not laid close to the walls of the firebox or the pedestal. The connection of the bearing wall with the masonry is provided by metal rods laid between the bricks and driven into the first one.
After preparation, the masonry can be plastered or laid with mineral wool, covered with some kind of foil material on top, placing it with foil outside. It can also be upholstered with galvanized sheets. When installing a fireplace in a corner, the resulting seams between it and the walls are sealed with a sealant.
The pedestal is laid out of red brick in the form of the letter P. Bit usually includes 3-4 rows, which depends on the height of the fireplace that you want to get. The binding solution is sand and clay mixed together. Instead of brick, you can use aerated concrete blocks that are plastered. Each row is checked by the level, if there is an excess of the solution, then it is removed with a trowel.
Steel corners are laid on the last row of bricks in such a way that they ensure the connection of opposite walls. They are placed at a distance of 15 cm protrusion up. After that, the bricks are placed on the edge, and grooves are cut, which are placed in the ledges of the corners. They must fit tightly. With the help of bricks, 65-70% of the pedestal is laid.
Installation and lining of the firebox
On the created masonry, using heat-resistant glue or mastic, a U-shaped porcelain stoneware slab is mounted, while leaving free space near the wall. Its side sections are deepened into the walls for a short distance. They check the evenness with a level, after which the firebox is placed on it so that there is a distance of 4-5 cm between the wall and its back wall.
The lining of the fireplace insert is performed in the following sequence:
- spread the walls of the fireplace;
- decorating the facade;
- join the side masonry with the bearing wall, while taking into account that they should not be connected to its surface;
- joints are treated with sealant or gypsum plaster;
- when the height of the masonry exceeds that of the fireboxanother U-shaped heat-resistant plate is laid on top of 2 rows, after which it is checked with a level and glued.
Chimney installation
A hole is cut in the ceiling with dimensions of 70x50 cm, the perimeter of which is lined with a metal profile. It is made over a cutout in the slab. Between the plate and the cutout in the ceiling, 4 metal profiles or duralumin corners are mounted, which are fixed at the corners with self-tapping screws. This design will serve as a chimney frame.
The pipe is inserted at one end into the hole in the firebox, and the other is taken out to the attic through a hole in the ceiling. Clamps are used to maintain the vertical position. Its frame is sheathed from the inside with heat-insulating mats, and the entire surface is covered with foil.
Foil-coated insulation can be used for the purpose of thermal insulation. They also close the ceiling of the box, making a cutout for the pipe. A gap of 2 mm is left between the insulation and the pipe. From the outside, the frame is covered with asbestos-cement sheets, gypsum boards or wood panels. A cutout is made in the lining under the ceiling, in which the ventilation grill will be placed.
Finishing up the chimney in the attic. The cut of the pipe around the circumference is smeared with hot glue and joins the pipe coming from the fireplace. A box is installed around the pipe, which is insulated and sheathed with plasterboard sheets. A ventilation grill is mounted near the floor of this room.
A seal is put on the last part of the pipe, a protective cap is put on top, bituminous mastic is used to coat the lower cut. After connecting the secondand the third part of the pipe, the roofing is smeared with mastic, to which the sealant is pressed. The edges are fixed with self-tapping screws, the joints are sealed.
Finishing
The floor at the foot of the fireplace insert is lined with decorative stone or tiles. A floor made of wood or pressed paper at a distance of up to 50 cm from the fireplace cannot be made, since it can catch fire from sparks or fallen coals. It would be better if a metal grate is installed in front of the fireplace, painted with openwork to give an aesthetic look. The interior should include accessories for the fireplace, which should be predominantly black.
The first check of the fireplace should be carried out with the windows open, as the paint will burn and smoke may begin to enter the room. The latter case indicates a violation of the installation technology. To eliminate it, it is necessary to check the tightness of the chimney joints and the air supply to the furnace.
Manufacturers
Many business entities are engaged in the production of fireplace inserts. Their most top models, as well as the fireplaces themselves, are made by the following companies:
- Totem;
- Seguin;
- Kal-fire;
- Heatilator;
- Stovax;
- Piazzetta.
Moreover, Heatilator mainly produces outdoor fireplaces.
KAW-MET fireplace inserts are one of the promising ones. This Polish company occupies one of the dominant positions in the Eastern European marketthe goods in question. They are produced on an automated line from high quality cast iron with high corrosion resistance and strength. They are quite durable, they have a gate with a door lock, which eliminates the ingress of smoke into the living space. Also, the fireboxes of this company are reinforced with convection ribs, which improves heat transfer. This company has been operating in this market for 35 years. Currently, its products can be seen in Russia.
Reviews
As with any product sold in retail outlets, there are also reviews for fireplace inserts. Users praise similar products from Invicta, Caddy, as well as from Poland. But they also say that there are errors in the products of the Bavaria brand, which ensures the penetration of smoke into the room when the firebox door is opened.
In conclusion
Installing a fireplace insert on your own is not very difficult and can be done by almost anyone. It is important to decide what functions it will perform, and, based on this, buy the appropriate type of it.
