Very often things that are already familiar to many no longer cause strong positive emotions. So, for example, ordinary fireplaces will forever remain only fireplaces. They are no longer perceived as a highlight of the interior. Brick, decorated with decorative trim, they have become more practical and do not carry an aesthetic load.
Another thing is a hanging fireplace. This is already something new, although the design is by no means a novelty. His device was invented 50 years ago. These products are not yet very common, but are gradually gaining popularity
A bit of history
The history of the creation of the very first pendant models is similar to the heroic epics of antiquity.
So, in the late 60s of the last century, the traveler, philosopher, graduate of a famous educational institution Dominique Imbert decided to take up creativity and created a small workshop in the southern part of France, in the small town of Viol-le-Fort.
There were no special conditions in this room, even the roof was in places with decent holes, windowswere also absent. In winter, snow fell on the floor of the room. In order not to freeze while conducting creative experiments, the designer made the first hanging fireplace with his own hands and attached it to the wall.
Many guests who constantly visited this workshop were surprised by this product - everyone wanted to have the same one.
Conservatives did not accept Imber's innovations for a very long time. At first, his business was based on orders from professional architects, artists and bohemian people. Then the situation gradually changed, and now, a year later, hanging models became the property of contemporary art museums in France. Then some exhibits settled in museums in Germany and the USA.
Hanging fireplace in Russian markets
Today, these "floating" interior items no longer cause such heated debate as before. People went into shock. Hanging products entered the market of our country at the end of the 90s.
Since then they have been gaining popularity, although many are true to the classics.
The buyer of this fireplace is a connoisseur of original appearance, innovation, modern design.
Special philosophy of suspended solutions
Hanging fireplace - this is perhaps the most striking manifestation of the theory of deconstructivism in the modern interior of apartments. These products look at the idea of a cozy home in a new way. In general, this is due to the unusual method of attachment. Attach this equipment not to the floor, but to the ceiling. Also available for wall mounting.
So respected by many massiveness andBrutality is now stepping aside and giving way to lightness, irony and free flight of fancy. These products, with their whole appearance, emphasize a certain independence, they seem to declare that they have nothing to do with this world. See how a hanging fireplace changes the space. The photo in this article cannot convey all the sensations, but you can see what it looks like.
Aesthetic practicality
Although these products are rather a protest against the theories of functionalism and rationalism, they are quite practical. Such "floating" structures can be installed in almost any part of the room, if the room has suitable load-bearing characteristics. Since the weight of these design hearths is relatively small, these models are well suited for objects where it is not recommended to create a large load on the elements of the roof or ceiling. Another practical advantage is space saving. But chimneys can be quite long.
These products in two-tone design look especially harmonious. They play the role of a vertical dominant, visually increasing the height of the room. Such a hearth can give any type of room a special atmosphere.
What to make of?
Often, a hanging fireplace is made mainly of metal. Therefore, their weight is quite moderate.
Due to the high fire resistance characteristics of cast iron or stainless steel, these products show excellent performance.
In most cases, fireplaces have a modulardesign, and assembling them will not be difficult. Their installation also does not require serious efforts and time. The appearance of such models is ultra-modern, it fits perfectly into high-tech interiors and the like.
The metal was not chosen in vain - it is extremely plastic. Designers, exploiting this property, give their products sometimes impossible forms. There are plenty of opportunities for the manifestation of even the most daring creative ideas. Among the products you can see both strict geometric lines and angles, and almost metal sculptures.
Designers regularly come up with new options, as a result of which a hanging fireplace can be created in the form of bizarre plants, UFO plates, submarine periscopes, magic crystals.
This is a huge freedom for the flight of creative thought. And modern metal processing technologies make it possible to obtain very precise products.
Determining the type of construction
The design is different from what is classical and accepted in society. The firebox is attached to the chimney, which goes up vertically and is fixed to the ceiling. This gives more freedom of choice in terms of where this home will be located. Also, this design makes it possible to install this equipment where it is impossible to install a conventional fireplace. You can carry out installation in multi-storey buildings or cottages. This is how a hanging fireplace works in an ordinary city apartment. Photos are presented in the review - carefully consider all the nuances.
The firebox has a weight that is significantly lower than traditional models. Often it is made of metal and not finished with stone or ceramics. In general, the weight of the entire structure, depending on the model, can be up to 50 kg. During installation, no foundation is needed, no need to isolate the wall. In addition, you can make a hanging fireplace with your own hands even at home with the equipment and drawings.
How to do it yourself? Choose the type of fuel
By type of fuel, products for working with biofuels and firewood are distinguished. Models under the tree are equipped with both open and closed fireboxes - they have a protective door made of glass-ceramic. The trends of recent years dictate an increased area of a transparent window for loading fuel, as well as the use of panoramic glazing.
Open fireplaces without doors are more relevant for spacious rooms. These rooms should be ventilated as often and thoroughly as possible. For houses with double-glazed windows, it is desirable to have a forced ventilation system. Fresh air must also be supplied to the furnace forcibly. When an open fire burns, it consumes a large amount of oxygen than if it burned in a closed firebox.
Homemade metal wood burning fireplaces
Metal has much more advantages than brick. And in modern apartments it is unlikely that it will be possible to establish a serious foundation for a classic fireplace. Naturally, the metal also has disadvantages. Another advantage is the price, higher efficiency, light weight, excellent durability.
Among the disadvantages are a limited timework, high fire hazard and short heat dissipation.
Metal is much easier to process, and its strength can be compared with ceramics. Having the necessary equipment in the garage, you can use the photo of the model you like to make hanging fireplaces made of metal yourself. After all, what is it? This is a designer potbelly stove, which is fixed on the ceiling to the chimney.
Choose material
Stainless steel is a very popular material.
Its temperature limits are around 600 degrees with 2-hour exposure. A 4 mm thick sheet is suitable for a fireplace. However, there is no need to talk about the regular use of such a metal. If you heat such a fireplace intensively, then there is a risk that it will burn out.
Industrial fireplaces are made from special heat-resistant steels. Modern special steels, even with a thickness of only 1.5 mm, have a service life of more than 20 years. With low weight, excellent heat capacity and thermal conductivity, this is a guarantee of high efficiency.
The manufacture of hanging fireplaces from such steels is available only to those who own sophisticated welding technology and equipment. Cooking such steel using artisanal technologies does not make sense. Heat-resistant stainless steel after such executions will simply lose its properties, and the fireplace will crack.
In addition to steel, cast iron can also be used. Among the advantages is the low price. For fireplaces, a sheet with a thickness of 6 mm or more is suitable. It is impossible to use sheets of smaller thickness - it will crack. Thermal conductivitythis metal is small, but it will fit for heating small rooms.
How to make a hanging fireplace with your own hands
So, before you start assembling and manufacturing, you need to purchase some necessary materials. As mentioned earlier, this is a sheet of metal with a thickness of about 3 to 5 mm. He will go to create a firebox and a chimney pipe.
Of course, it is easier and cheaper to purchase such a product directly from the designer.
It is unlikely that you can create a similar aesthetic thing with your own hands, but if you need something practical, then it's worth a try. In order to make a hanging fireplace with your own hands, drawings will certainly be needed, but no one will give them to you. You will have to develop them yourself, from photographs. In general, you can even do without them - the design is simple.
By welding, a body, or firebox, is created from a metal sheet, then it is welded to a pipe, which, in turn, will be attached to the chimney. Modern products are equipped with electronics that carry out forced air blowing into the combustion zone, as well as a system for forced blowing of combustion products. Hot air restrictors must be installed in the pipe, otherwise you may encounter the problem that a hanging fireplace has. Hot air from above is a sign of a poorly designed chimney.
Features of operation
When using absolutely any models of fireplaces, you should strictly follow the safety rules.
This is very true for models where the firebox is open. Keep flammable materials away from fire.
Sometimes the design can rotate. This is a technological and modern solution, for example, a hanging fireplace in a high-tech interior may look like this. These models give the room an unprecedented dynamics. So, you can turn the hearth in the right direction and redo the interior.
