Most owners of private homes 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.
Living fire is fraught with not only beauty, but also a high probability of a fire, so a careful calculation should precede the laying of the fireplace.
How to calculate the size of the fireplace?
A full source of heat (even if auxiliary, and not main) is often a fireplace. The dimensions of this heating structure for a room with an area of 20 m 2 are as follows:
- the area of the furnace should vary within 0.4 m 2 ;
- the height of the furnace hole is 52 cm, the width is 78 cm;
- the depth of the focus 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 health and life of a person, which lies in the possibility of the ingress of combustion products and carbon monoxide into the room. The optimal ratio of the cross-sectional area of the 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 fireplaces
Wood-burning fireplaces are constructions in which all family members often and with pleasure gather during cold autumn and winter evenings. The sound of crackling firewood and the appearance of dancing flames inevitably create a unique atmosphere of tranquility 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, the result will certainly be positive.
The fireplace includes the following required components:
- firebox;
- smoke chamber;
- chimney.
The size of each element must have the necessary ratio with the dimensions of the heated room.
So, for example, the area of the furnace opening relative to the total area of the room should be 1:50. At the same time, the height and width are correlated 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 times larger than the cross-sectional area of the chimney pipe. At the same time, if a round pipe is planned for installation, then a smaller section can be chosen than if the chimney were square or rectangular.
Material selection
Wood 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 dense;
- the hammer blow on the brick should “come back” with a clear and clear sound.
In addition, you will need:
- sand whose grain should not exceed a size of 1.5 mm;
- Cambrian clay, and you can also use brown or dark red;
- crushed stone - 3-6 mm;
- Portland cement grade 300.
You also need to purchase:
- 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 the formwork, which will require wooden boards. For waterproofing, roofing material or resin should be purchased.
The installed formwork must be covered with broken brick, stones or gravel, and then pour with carefully mixed cement mortar. The top of the foundation should be leveled and checked for horizontalness. After 7 days, you can proceed with the construction of the 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, it is necessary to provide waterproofing. To do this, you need a roofing material laid in 2 layers. Masonry should start from the corners. In this case, you must constantly monitor the level. To give the design an original look, you can lay the bottom row on the edge, and all subsequent ones - flat. External continuous rows require the use of a trowel or trowel. The smoke box or firebox should be done manually, as this helps to detect small pebbles in the solution.
It is important to remember that when erecting a smoke collector and a firebox, the stove requires the removal of excess solution 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 dressing of seams on a half-brick in each row.
The lining of the firebox and the outer wall should not be connected, otherwise, due to frequent temperature differences, masonry may occur.
About modern fireplaces
Each person is pleased to hear the sound of a crackling tree and feel the warmth of the flame. Similar feelings can be enjoyed not only in nature, but also in your own home. Bricks fireplaces can make dreams come true. The main tasks of this equipment include not only the creation of comfort and coziness in the home, but also its heating.
Modern fireplaces can consume as fuel:
- coal;
- natural wood;
- gas;
- electrical energy.
There are many ready-made fireplaces on the market. The difference is open and closed types of furnaces. In addition, the fireplace stove can have a closed combined heating system or an open one, where the type of firebox directly depends on the wishes of the buyer.
A modern fireplace is a versatile and practical design that can be installed in any convenient place.
Fireplace as a design element
The fireplace is an excellent design solution that can emphasize the overall style of the room. For its design can be used classic style, modern, country or any other pleasing to the owner.
Fireplace heating requires accessories such as a poker, tongs, an ash scoop and a grill. True, modern society pays much more attention to the emotional and psychological role of this construction. 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 stand for equipment and a neat little bench for legs.
Country style, or rustic: unpretentiousness on the background of modest charm
The etymology of the word “rustic” speaks of the most characteristic features of this style - deliberate “uncouthness”, “roughness”, stylization of a rustic interior (in other words, this style is called country). The desire of our ancestors to bring an element of aesthetics into the arrangement of their primitive dwelling 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, emphasized "rough" processing and an open hearth shape. The most suitable materials are: shell rock, sandstone, tuff stone, etc.
About the exquisite excesses of a baroque fireplace
The Baroque style, which originated in Europe in the Middle Ages, is a reflection of taste in the architecture of the Renaissance. This direction is also appropriate in such matters as the styles of fireplaces. It is distinguished by: dynamism of the image, excessive splendor and luxury, a certain illusory nature of forms and lines, pomp and decorativeness.
Art Nouveau style
Art Nouveau lovers will easily give up most of the decor in favor of an unusual color experiment. This direction is characterized by: elongation, pencil-case, constructive combination of stone and metal parts, as well as the presence of ceramic or glass in the lining. Adherents of the style are unusual geometric shapes, restraint, conciseness, as well as unconventional design solutions. As a worthy accompaniment of a fireplace in the Art Nouveau style, one can distinguish a large abstract or landscape picture, minimally decorated furniture, walls covered with asymmetric lines and muted colors.