How to build a fireplace with your own hands. Laying brick fireplaces with your own hands. How to determine the location for a future fireplace
Making a fireplace out of brick is quite difficult. To create a high-quality and productive structure, you will first need a well-designed order or project. The design features of the equipment and the materials used for assembly play an equally important role.
A fireplace with your own hands can be placed both in a private country cottage and in a country house. First of all, this heating variation is suitable for those rooms in which there is no other source of receiving and generating thermal energy. Such a stove can be installed in a house made of brick or wood. Installation in a building made of logs or gas silicate block is also possible. A properly designed fireplace design allows you to efficiently heat not only a small house, but also a fairly large and even two-story house. The efficiency of such a design can reach about 80-90 percent. This is considered a high and good indicator.
Selecting the dimensions of the structure
A fireplace, the masonry of which is carried out according to a pre-selected order on the Internet or drawn up by a professional stove maker, can have not only a certain placement method, but also a size. The choice of this parameter depends on certain parameters and features:
- The size of the room chosen for installation of the heating unit plays a big role;
- Pay attention to the way the fireplace is located in the living room interior;
- Pay attention to the choice of equipment type;
- Take into account what material the frame of the house, foundation, walls, floor, ceilings are made of;
- What matters is what functionality the stove has.
Before you build a stove with your own hands, remember that the order should correctly reflect not only the amount of materials, the key features of the heating device, but also equally important details. For example, the overall dimensions of the firebox should be based on a proportion of 1/90 in relation to the total area of the selected room.
It is necessary to select the height and width of the combustion opening using the proportion 1.5/1. Also, the fireplace diagram is not complete without identifying the depth, which will be less than the width parameter on average by half. The chimney must also have a correctly selected cross-section. It can be determined by reducing the area of the combustion hole by 14-21 times.
For example, if the room area is 30 square meters, the following values will be suitable for such a unit:
- The combustion hole will have a size of 0.30 square meters;
- The firebox will have a width of 45 centimeters;
- With a height of 65 centimeters;
- Depth 25 centimeters;
- The round cross-section of the chimney will be equal to 0.030 square meters or 300 square centimeters.
Choosing a location method
The arrangement of the fireplace plays a key role in the assembly and successful operation of the heating device. However, what is equally important is what type of location the stove will have in the interior.
Main placement methods:
- Wall-mounted fireplaces are massive. To assemble such a structure you will need a fairly large amount of materials and cladding. This option is convenient to place, has a good viewing angle, and several people can sit near it at once. The advantages also include high efficiency and good, productive operation. The portal is symmetrical; the facade part is most often assembled in a U-shaped shape. A fireplace, for which both standard and refractory bricks are used, in a wall location has a chimney that is covered with bricks up to the ceiling;
- If the room chosen for installation does not have a large area, we recommend installing a corner fireplace in it. This option, with a fairly good viewing angle, is small in size. The arrangement of a corner type oven does not require a large amount of brick. In this case, only the facade part will need to be clad, since the role of the sidewalls is played directly by the walls or partitions of the room themselves. Despite its small size, the corner hearth has a fairly high power and is suitable for heating rooms with an area of 15-35 square meters;
- The design of an island-type furnace is difficult to construct. To build such a structure will require a lot of time, large investments and experience. An island fireplace is installed in the center of the room and is not adjacent to walls or other ceilings. The portal can be equipped with small walls and a firewood rack. To remove smoke and combustion products from the room, the stove is supplemented with a suspended exhaust system or, in other words, a chimney. The base usually has a classic square or rectangular shape (profile). Structures of round, triangular, multifaceted shapes are more difficult to construct. Particularly popular are designs consisting of several levels. For additional functionality, you can equip the portal with a tabletop or mantelpiece.
The fireplace, the dimensions of which are selected individually, can be installed not only in the house, but also outside, in a gazebo. Such outdoor and garden barbecues and barbecues can be located either completely separately or built into gazebos and verandas. The advantages of such structures include the ability to make them quite large and bulky. This way you can add many different elements to the grill.
Due to their large dimensions, outdoor and garden stoves are heavy and require the construction of a solid concrete foundation. This will prevent the structure from sinking underground or losing its stability over time.
A barbecue or barbecue oven project also requires an individual approach, careful selection of location and functionality. If you plan to combine an outdoor fireplace with a gazebo or veranda, you should not use only brick for construction, as it is very expensive. The materials most often chosen for gazebos are: plastic, metal profiles, wood, fire-resistant plastic. The stove itself, columns, various partitions, small walls, and the area near the combustion compartment are assembled from bricks.
Equipment classification
Before you build a Swedish stove or any other structure, you need to remember that any heating equipment consists of a portal, which serves as protection for the firebox and its decoration. Most often this element is assembled from brick. Can be lined with any heat-resistant materials. To place logs and burn them, the structure is equipped with a firebox or combustion compartment. To prevent smoke from immediately escaping into the street and creating heat, the stove is supplemented with a smoke collector. To remove smoke and combustion products, wood-burning stoves are equipped with a chimney.
An open firebox design means there is no door. In this case, special attention must be paid to the internal walls of the combustion chamber, making them as thick, durable and airtight as possible. For laying the walls, only fireclay bricks and an adhesive composition based on fireclay clay are used. Also, the fireplace insert can be of a closed type.
A closed firebox is safer to use. It prevents sparks and flames from entering the room. However, an open firebox looks more harmonious and allows you to contemplate the bright flame, enjoy its crackling and warmth to the fullest. In addition, by giving preference to an open design, you save your money, which could have been spent on purchasing a steel or cast iron chamber with a door.
In order to protect the room from fire, the space next to the firebox must be insulated with any fireproof material.
If you want to equip a stone portal with a purchased firebox, the walls of the stove can be assembled from simple brick, since additional protection will be provided by cast iron sidewalls.
A closed firebox is most often equipped with a door made of transparent tempered glass, which allows you to see the fire burning in the hearth in as much detail as possible. The method of opening such a door can be either the classic side or the top. Many modern fireboxes are equipped with a self-cleaning system - this prevents soot and soot from forming on the glass.
Wall- and corner-type fireplaces are equipped with steel pipes, which do not have a very presentable appearance. In order to hide and at the same time decorate such a chimney, it is enclosed in a box made of brick. The laying of the chimney is also carried out according to a previously drawn up order. Such a box not only improves the appearance of the structure, but also enhances, further insulates and accumulates accumulated heat.
Most often, stylish steel hoods that are hung directly above the hearth itself are purchased as a set for an island fireplace.
Making calculations
The size of the fireplace directly depends on the size of the room, as well as your personal needs and preferences. The dimensions of the structure are indicated in detail in the diagram. The order of the fireplace indicates how much material is needed for construction. It is important to know how much cladding, standard and refractory bricks you will need and purchase all materials with a small margin.
It is equally important to know how much masonry mortar you will need. It is important to take into account not only the main masonry, but also the construction of an additional foundation. Mostly cement marked M 200 is used as masonry mortar. To obtain the required mass, it is necessary to mix cement and sand together based on a 1/3 ratio. Next, gradually add water until a thick, homogeneous composition is formed, without lumps or dirt. In order to lay one cubic meter of brick, on average 0.2-0.3 cubic meters of composition will be required.
You can calculate the dimensions of the fireplace in more detail using your own order. In order to find out how many bricks are needed, you need to multiply the volume of one unit by the total number of bricks in the scheme.
A professional and well-designed project has not only a frontal, but also a horizontal projection. This allows you to make all the calculations as simply and thoroughly as possible, to see the shape and outline of the fireplace on both sides. If the design of the furnace is more complex, you can separately calculate and draw the arch, shelf and other structural elements. This will allow you to determine the location and location of the smoke collector, ash pan, chimney, and identify the angle of inclination of the walls and niches.
In our online store you can buy a ready-made firebox for corner, island or wall portals, domestic and foreign brands.
Execution of work
After you have chosen a location for the fireplace, calculated the amount of materials, designed and made a detailed order, you will need to purchase the following materials and tools:
- A reservoir in which the adhesive base will be mixed. It should be large enough, at least 40 liters. For better mixing, it is best to get an electric mixer;
- In order to sift sand, you will need to buy a special sieve;
- Laying is carried out using a trowel;
- To check the evenness of the corners, a building level is required;
- Get a tape measure, a square and a ruler;
- Marks are made using a simple pencil or construction marker.
Additionally, you may need such items as: a hammer, rags, a knife, sandpaper and others.
Before you start work, prepare the room, cover all the furniture and interior items that are in it. To make it easier to connect the tool, take an extension cord.
Do-it-yourself installation of a brick fireplace is carried out according to the following stages:
- Any massive structure begins to be erected only after the foundation is built. It can have either a strip or a concrete, block or brick base. If you are going to pour mortar into a pit, formwork is required. In this case, the construction of the furnace occurs only after the foundation is completely dry;
- Next, we begin laying the rows. Each row is pre-laid dry, the evenness and thickness of the seams between the bricks is checked. Periodically, to strengthen the structure, the rows are ligated. All adjustments are made before the adhesion composition dries;
- After the firebox and fireplace portal are erected, we proceed to laying the chimney. the hood is fixed to a horizontal partition. We provide surface insulation. If the pipe is metal, it is best to enclose it in a brick box;
- At the last stage, facing work is carried out, a damper, shelf, grille, and countertop are installed.
The Kuznetsov stove or any other heating device cannot be heated immediately after construction. It is necessary to allow it to shrink and dry well for 10-15 days. After which the furnace gradually begins to operate. Firewood is placed in the firebox exactly halfway, gradually increasing.
From this video you can learn how to make a brick fireplace with your own hands at home or in the country:
Fireplaces create a unique atmosphere of comfort and warmth in the room.
Several decades ago, their owners could be wealthy foreigners or very wealthy compatriots. In recent years, such an attractive and extraordinary interior element has appeared in dachas, private houses and apartments of ordinary citizens.
Peculiarities
The Russian stove has always been an indispensable attribute in a residential building. Later it was replaced by brick fireplaces. At first glance, it may seem that there is no difference between them, but in fact these are devices that have significant differences in performance characteristics (each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages).
A stove is a structure that serves to heat the entire area of a room. The fire in the stove is covered with a damper. The chimney is constructed using a special technology. This prevents carbon monoxide from accumulating in the room and contributes to higher heat transfer from stoves compared to fireplaces. The air supply to the stove is controlled by a blower, which is not included in the fireplace design. It also provides fuel savings.
The fireplace does not produce heat in large quantities, as is possible with a stove. It takes much more time to melt and warm up the stove, but a heated stove evenly heats the entire room and the heat in the house remains for 10-15 hours.
A fireplace is a unit that has a more simplified design than a stove. Its hearth is open and the chimney is located above it. By design, the fireplace ventilates warm air more than heats it. A firebox is located in the wall or in an area attached to it. A door or damper is not provided, but instead a large open opening is made. Through it, rays of heat fall on people warming themselves by the fireplace.
Good draft through the chimney provides oxygen access to the room. Air supports combustion of fuel. The smoke collector is designed in such a way that smoke from the firebox immediately enters the chimney without lingering in the room.
To prevent smoke from accumulating in the room, the chimney is made with a large diameter. A fireplace, unlike a stove, can be heated up quickly, but it is necessary to constantly add wood to the fire to maintain heat.
The space that is heated with its help is the place directly in front of the firebox. Unlike a stove, a fireplace consumes much more fuel.
Heat enters the room immediately after the fireplace is lit.
This device is most often installed to create an attractive and unusual atmosphere in the home. The romantic atmosphere in the room with the flickering fire in the firebox is conducive to relaxation and relaxation.
When people do not live in the house, but visit from time to time, then the use of a fireplace is best suited for such cases.
Kinds
Brick fireplaces include three main parts. This is a portal, a chimney and a firebox.
The firebox is a niche for lighting a fire. The portal is the outer part of the fireplace, which is decorated with various materials (stone, molding, wood and others). The device through which smoke escapes from the room is called a chimney.
Fireplace structures are distinguished according to the method of their construction - they are open, closed and semi-open. When the firebox and chimney of a brick fireplace are not separated from the wall of the room, but are built into it, then the heating device is called closed.
The chimney and firebox are made recessed into the wall of the room. They are also called closed (English) structures. Their advantage is their size. They are compact and can be installed in very small rooms.
However, the walls in buildings where a fireplace is planned must be made thicker, since their strength decreases.
They are erected immediately with the construction of the building. Their design is taken into account in the general design documentation for the residential complex initially.
A structure laid along the wall and bordering it is called a wall or semi-open fireplace. In such designs, the firebox and chimney are not built into the wall. The construction of a semi-open fireplace is possible in a room that was built a long time ago. Its redevelopment will not be required in this case. A wall-mounted fireplace is considered the most common type. It can be the same size, full length or taper at the top. It is not connected in any way to the structure of the wall itself.
Fireplace devices located at a distance from the walls of the room are called open (island). They are one of the most unpopular species. The installation of such structures is welcome in large rooms, because their area takes up most of the space of the room where they are installed. Island (open) structures do not touch the wall, the flame is visible from anywhere in the room.
Corner fireplaces are located in the corner of the room, hence their name. With their help, empty corners of rooms are conveniently used and adjacent rooms are heated.
The chimney of corner fireplaces is concentrated in the wall of the room. It cannot be laid out with hollow bricks. The open part of the smoke chamber is made of metal. It can be made of iron or concrete. The surface is covered with brick, stone, and plastered.
Fireplaces in which the flame is not fenced off from the common room are called structures with an open firebox. The firebox is made of fireclay brick. It can also be an iron or cast iron opening.
A decorative lattice serves as a barrier (barrier).
The efficiency of such structures is low and they serve more as decoration than as a heating device.
Closed fireplaces, on the contrary, are equipped with heat-resistant glass (a door with glass). It is concentrated between the firebox and the room. At the bottom of the closed firebox there is an additional chamber for the ash pan. Air is supplied from it into the chamber where combustion occurs. On the fireboxes of this type of fireplace, a mechanism is installed that allows you to control the damper. All the nuances of the design and functioning of the fireplace are skillfully hidden under the cladding. It is made of stone, decorative brick, tile. There may be wooden frames.
Wood-burning brick fireplaces are widely used for installation in dachas. The function they perform is cooking and heating with a water circuit.
Such units are cheaper than stationary ones. Fuel consumption for fireplaces with stove elements is high. However, their advantage is the ability to use thermal energy regardless of external media. For example, electric boilers often do not function due to problems with the supply of electricity to holiday villages. There is also no need to supply gas communications (in the case of a gas boiler).
The fireplace stove can be equipped with an oven, which makes it possible to prepare dishes using the same technologies as in Russian stoves.
The stove-fireplace for a bathhouse is equipped with a tank for heating water. Tanks vary in volume and models. The presence of a closed or open portal distinguishes bath structures from other types. Brick fireplaces for baths heat up the room very quickly, and the heat is retained for a long time. At the dacha, you can attach a barbecue to the brick fireplace.
Installing wood-burning brick fireplaces requires careful engineering analysis. Particular attention is paid to the location of the chimney.
Style and design
The fireplace in the house is a hearth. It has always symbolized peace and comfort. Therefore, the favorite place for the whole family became the space near the fire.
For a long time, nobles and rich people tried to emphasize the importance of the fireplace. They tried to decorate its façade with precious metals and stones. Over time, fireplace styles and designs emerged. Depending on the design of the heating device and its dimensions, the material for masonry is selected. The cladding is made with red brick or fire-resistant white brick.
You can cover the fireplace with decorative stone. In the room where it is located, design plays an important role. The style of the interior will depend on how all the decorative elements (furniture, curtains, tapestries, carpets, vases and other accessories) are combined with each other.
There are several architectural styles of fireplaces. The most famous of them are the following: country and Russian, baroque (rococo) and classicism, empire and modern, high-tech.
The classicism style is characterized by very strict forms and symmetry of lines. The design of a fireplace for a living room should be noble. Painting is often used for decoration. Delicate pastoral figurines often complement the ensemble. A marble fireplace looks very beautiful. Appropriate decorative elements are selected for it. Paintings are placed nearby or stucco molding is made with complex relief patterns. Bronze or gold finishing is possible.
Country style fireplaces are completely opposite to classic designs. Country or “rustic” in translation means rough or chipped. Fireplaces are made from natural materials (roughly processed stones or wood). The feeling of being in touch with wild nature comes when looking at the open hearth of the fireplace. This style is suitable for lovers of natural stone.
The Baroque (Rococo, Renaissance) style reflects magnificent forms. Fireplaces in this style are low and covered with marble tiles. Typically, the room where the fireplace is located is decorated with paintings in expensive frames, and heavy flowing curtains and inlaid cornices are also used. Often a mirror with a carved frame is hung above the fireplace.
At the end of the 18th century, the Empire style appeared. He belongs to the royal type. Its main characteristic is dominance over everything. Design objects are distinguished by their monumental forms. Furniture is selected with expensive upholstery, large mirrors are hung on the walls. Fireplaces are decorated with sphinxes and lion heads. Strict symmetry in everything distinguishes Empire from other styles.
Fireplaces in Art Nouveau style are placed slightly elongated. The decor reflects the freshness of ideas and images. Stone and metal are combined into one ensemble. The firebox is made round or given a new unusual shape. Such a fireplace is completely individual and becomes the center of attraction in the home.
High-tech expresses maximalism in the use of space. Furniture with metal and glass inserts is usually concentrated around the fireplace. The decor is characterized by restrained forms. This style is considered cold and discreet. Fireplaces are decorated with materials such as granite and marble. Ceramic tiles are also used.
Russian style involves the use of tiles as decoration for the fireplace. Such structures are extremely beautiful, since the tiles have different shapes and colors. When the fireplace is flooded, a void remains between the brick and the tiled surface using masonry technology. It is filled with sand or crushed brick during installation. As a result of heating, this material gives off heat for a long time. The voids balance the heating temperature of the tile and brick; due to this, fireplaces are not subject to destruction and can serve for many years.
Drawings and diagrams
The most common type is the corner fireplace. It fits organically into the space of even a small room. The chimney and its portal are located in the corner, due to this the room is not cluttered.
The firebox at the corner fireplace can be closed or open, depending on desire.
In order to assemble the fireplace correctly, you first need to make drawings and diagrams of the entire structure, and individual parts. Careful calculations will make it possible to avoid mistakes when laying. First of all, you need to know the size of the country house, make designs for the chimney and firebox, and clarify what material the masonry will be made from. The drawings need to show the fireplace in different projections: top view, side view, straight view.
A well-built fireplace must meet the following characteristics:
- warm up the room;
- have no cracks or defects to avoid smoke;
- its appearance should be combined with the interior of the room.
For example, it is planned to install a fireplace in a room with an area of 20 square meters and a ceiling height of 3.5 meters. The volume of the house will be 70 cubic meters (20x3.5). The ratio of the height of the fireplace and the depth of the firebox is 1/2 or 1/3. Failure to comply with the dimensions and installation of a firebox of increased depth will reduce the heat in the room. When the depth is shallower, there may be smoke. Therefore, adherence to dimensions is the main criterion for successful work.
The smoke openings depend on the area of the firebox. The standard dimensions of a chimney are 14x14 cm. With a round chimney, it can be from 8 to 14 centimeters. The chimney diagram must be worked out to the smallest detail. It is best to make it from brick. The construction of a chimney begins with laying the foundation, then installing rows (slats) to mark the rows of masonry, then welding (grouting the inner surface of the chimney) is done, the head (upper part of the chimney) and the chimney (cap) are installed.
The most initial and important element in laying a fireplace is the calculation and construction of the foundation. It must be reliable and durable. We must not forget that it is impossible to make the same foundation for the walls and fireplace. These bases must be different, since their weight load is not the same and over time the shrinkage will also be different. After the size of the foundation has been calculated, a plan for the fireplace at the basement level is drawn up. The width of the foundation should be five to seven centimeters greater than the width of the basement row.
After the calculations, they proceed directly to pouring the foundation and laying the fireplace.
Fireplaces with a water heating circuit are very popular. To install them in suburban buildings, they resort to welding machines.
In terms of external characteristics, such a fireplace is similar to a stove on legs with an external exhaust pipe.
The heat exchanger is made at least 5 mm thick. It heats up quickly and ensures heat distribution throughout the room. The fireplace and water supply system are connected to it depending on how the entire heating system in the house is made. The volume of coolant at which the entire circuit will work efficiently is 55-85 liters. The maximum area that can be heated using a fireplace with a water circuit is 230 cubic meters. The expansion tank is installed within 7-11% of the total volume of the heating circuit.
The firebox for a metal fireplace is made in two ways. It is made separately from the entire structure. The coil is inserted and then connected to a common fireplace.
The second method is to make the fireplace without a top cover. The fireplace base (jacket) is inserted inside and secured, and then the coil is fixed.
You can regulate the temperature in the fireplace using fuel (increase it or decrease it) and using the ash damper.
If the fireplace insert is located on the same level as the heating radiators, then an additional circulation pump is installed. It helps the movement of cold and hot water and prevents the coil from boiling. The efficiency of the fireplace when using a circulation pump increases significantly. The pump is placed in the basement of the house or utility room.
How to do it yourself?
For anyone who wants to make a fireplace in their home with their own hands, you should use the laying instructions. The construction of such a structure must be carried out on a prepared foundation.
At the very beginning, a hole is prepared for pouring the foundation, it should be 15-20 centimeters wider than the foundation. Its depth should not be less than 50 centimeters. The foundation can be made from either concrete or brick. 10-12 cm of crushed stone is poured onto the bottom and compacted. Afterwards, formwork is made from wood and placed on the base. Next, pour the foundation and wait for it to dry. Use a level to check the corners and smooth out any unevenness, leveling the horizontal surface.
The poured foundation is left for 5-7 days for reliable fixation. The finished foundation should be 7-8 centimeters below floor level.
A classic wood-burning fireplace gives a home a unique coziness and charm, but many consider it too expensive, believing that laying a brick fireplace with your own hands is a job for professionals. In fact, this task is not so difficult, it is enough to find a suitable drawing or ordering diagram, stock up on materials, and a real fireplace with crackling wood in it will appear in your home.
Any construction work begins with a project, and before you start building a fireplace, you need to decide on the size and shape of your fireplace, because not only its appearance, but also your safety depends on them.
What size fireplace is considered ideal? There is no definite answer to this question; you will have to focus on the size of the room, classic proportions and standard brick size.
- Determine the dimensions of the firebox. To do this, we measure the area of the room and divide it by 100. For example, for a living room with an area of 30 square meters, a combustion chamber area of 0.3 meters is sufficient.
- Finding the depth of the firebox. In relation to its width, the depth should be 1.5-2.5 times less. So, for a selected firebox area of 0.3 meters with a depth to width ratio of 1:2, the depth will be 37.5 cm - one and a half bricks, and the width 75 cm - three bricks.
- Find the height of the firebox. It should be 1.5 times greater than the width: for a firebox three bricks wide, we take a height of just over a meter, which corresponds to 14-15 rows of masonry.
- We determine another important parameter - the area of the smoke hole. It should have a ratio to the firebox area of 1:10 or 1:15. The chimney itself can be slightly wider, but the height of the straight section should not be less than 3 meters and more than 5 meters, otherwise it will be difficult to achieve stable draft.
The easiest way is to use ready-made drawings of brick fireplaces - in this case, you will not have to draw the layout yourself and will be able to avoid unpleasant surprises when lighting. From the proposed options, you will have to choose the fireplace that is most suitable in size and shape, after which you can purchase the material and get to work.
Ready-made order schemes
- A corner brick fireplace is usually installed in a small living room or bedroom, because it saves space while heating it effectively. The layout of such a fireplace is shown in the figure. The dimensions of the fireplace are 1x1 meter. The outer walls are made of red ceramic bricks (2 hundred pieces), the firebox is made of refractory bricks (1 hundred pieces). In addition, you will need clay and sand, cement, and concrete for the foundation.
Step-by-step diagram for arranging a brick fireplace - photo
- The simplest brick fireplace design for beginner stove-makers is a real salvation, because to install this fireplace you will not need a lot of material, and it can heat a fairly large room - up to 35 square meters. The overall dimensions of such a fireplace are 65x115 cm, the number of ceramic bricks is about 250 pieces, fireclay bricks will need about 100 pieces. Also prepare two bags of oven clay, three or four bags of dry sand, and some cement. You will also need a pipe damper and a steel angle for the firebox arch. The arrangement of a brick fireplace “for beginners” is shown in the figure.
- A large living room in a classic style requires a solid English fireplace. To build such a hearth, you need experience working with brickwork and strict adherence to the diagram.
Necessary materials:
- red ceramic brick – 300 pieces;
- fireclay bricks – 130 pieces;
- oven clay or fire-resistant masonry mixture - a couple of bags;
- quarry sand – 4 bags;
- cement – 1 bag;
- metal corner and steel strip - 3 pieces of 1 meter each;
- stove door for cleaning the chimney;
- stove damper.
The diagram of a brick fireplace in the English style and its dimensions are shown in the figure.
Scheme of an English brick fireplace with a straight chimney - photo
The general techniques for laying fireplaces are very similar, so the article discusses the most complex option - an English brick fireplace with an oblique hood. You can learn how to build a brick from, and laying a simple fireplace for beginners should not cause difficulties if you carefully study our recommendations.
Requirements for the fireplace foundation
The stability of the fireplace depends not only on the masonry, but also on the reliability of its base. The foundation for the fireplace must be poured separately from the foundation of the building, otherwise damage to the hearth and chimney may occur due to seasonal soil shifts. If the fireplace is installed against a load-bearing wall, a compensation cushion of sand is made between the strip foundation of the house and the base of the fireplace - it is poured between the foundations and spilled with water.
The height of the base under the fireplace should be such that the first row of masonry is at the level of the finished floor. The foundation pit can be shallow, but on heaving soils a sand and gravel cushion with a thickness of at least 0.5 meters must be made. A layer of sand and gravel compensates for soil shifts and prevents the capillary rise of water from it, which ensures waterproofing of the foundation itself and the walls of the fireplace.
The foundation is poured from M150-M300 concrete with mandatory reinforcement. The formwork is made from boards or plywood, fastening the panels with self-tapping screws. The size of the foundation to be poured must exceed the dimensions of the fireplace on each side by 10 cm. Drawings of brick fireplaces, as a rule, contain the required dimensions, and you can safely use them when pouring the foundation.
After pouring the foundation, the concrete should be kept until it reaches critical strength for about 5-7 days, after which you can begin marking and laying the fireplace, having previously laid a double layer of additional waterproofing - roofing felt.
Fireplace laying + instructions and video
The laying of an English-style fireplace with a straight chimney is carried out strictly according to the scheme. Before masonry begins, the wall behind the fireplace is thermally insulated with a metal sheet or thick foil, and wooden structures are additionally treated with a fire-retardant solution for interior work. You should also take care of the fireproof floor covering in the front of the fireplace, where sparks and embers can enter.
Laying a brick fireplace - photo
Before laying begins, the bricks are sorted, putting aside those that have cracks and chips. They can be used for laying the foundation. Before each stage, it is convenient to lay out the bricks dry, cut them, and sand them.
Red ceramic bricks are briefly soaked in water before laying, but refractory bricks cannot be wetted; dust and dirt are wiped off its surface with a damp cloth. This measure promotes more uniform drying of the masonry mortar. The order of a brick fireplace with explanations is presented in the drawings.
- The base of the fireplace (rows 1 and 2) is made of solid red brick. Its area is 1140 by 1270 mm, two rows of masonry with dressing. Before starting laying, it is necessary to check the level of the foundation; if necessary, small unevenness can be leveled by increasing the thickness of the seam. The foundation is laid using a cement-sand mortar, the ratio of cement and sand is 1:2 - 1:3. Rows 3 and 4 are laid out similarly according to the scheme, while the bottom of the firebox in row 4 is made of fire-resistant bricks with fire-resistant mortar. The ratio of clay and sand should be such that the solution does not stick too much to the trowel or spatula, but also does not slide off it.
- The next stage of laying the fireplace is the construction of the firebox walls. They are laid in accordance with the order, with the inner walls being laid out from refractory bricks on clay mortar, the outer walls - from ceramic bricks, on cement-sand mortar or on a mixture of clay and sand with the addition of 10-20% cement. The bricks forming the rear corners of the firebox are cut diagonally with a grinder. This shape of the firebox promotes better heat transfer.
Ordinal masonry of the fireplace - the first 4 rows
- The firebox installation is completed. In the twelfth row, to complete the framing, a corner and a steel strip are installed on top of the masonry according to the diagram and order. The rear part of the twelfth row is made of interlocking bricks, cut at an angle so as to form a vault.
Wood burning fireplace in the house- This is a good-quality hearth with an open firebox.
It has not only a heating function: among other things, it is a magnificent decoration that harmoniously combines the soft homeliness of a room with sophisticated charm.
It is no coincidence that the popularity of such stoves is extremely high.
There is an opinion that decorating a home with your own hands is so difficult that it is virtually impossible. This is debatable. To some extent, a fireplace is a lighter and simplified version of the usual stove. Their main difference lies in the method of heat transfer. So how realistic is it, and how can you install a fireplace in your home yourself? Let's try to solve the problem together.
Operating principle
The operating principle of a wood-burning fireplace is quite easy to understand.
Dry wood, when burned, releases a lot of heat, which heats up the brick (stone).
He, in turn, having the ability to remain hot for a long time, shares heat gradually, over a long period of time, supplying the room with it.
The devices look different, but the irreplaceable parts, chimney and firebox, are available in any model. How to make your furnace more efficient?
A good working fireplace, with high efficiency, should be:
- not too deep and wide enough;
- To increase the efficiency factor, special heat shields are added to the design. Their role is played by massive parts that release a large amount of heat when heated:
- The masonry of a fireplace stove for a home is specially made with protrusions and irregularities, which increase the area of the heated surface, and, accordingly, heat transfer.
The depth of its laying is at least half a meter; in a two-story housing this value increases to approximately 0.8 - 1.0 meters.
A convenient and budget-friendly option is made of reinforced concrete.
A hole is dug around the perimeter of the future fireplace, the bottom is measured with a level.
Broken bricks or large stones are placed there, compacted well, then poured. After leveling the resulting layer, the procedure is repeated.
The inner part of the foundation is filled with liquid concrete, the outer part is laid out on a dense, thick mortar. Several such layers are made until about 30 centimeters remain to the top. The layers must lie flat, check with a level.
Then, two layers of bricks are placed on the double clay mortar. There remains about 7 cm to the clean floor - this is the base of the future wood-burning fireplace for the home.
You can make a foundation from autonomous blocks. It is irrational to combine the foundation of the fireplace with the foundation of the house itself, since they have different drafts.
Masonry
So how to build a fireplace yourself? There are different methods for laying stoves; a fireplace stove is actually no different from them. It must be of such quality that a reliable monolithic structure is formed, which is ensured by dressings of longitudinal and transverse seams.
To do this, use a partial-size brick, and also use the method of alternating different parts of the brick (split and tongue) in the corners of the structure. The seams must have a strictly specified width: 0.5 cm for simple bricks and 0.3 cm for refractory bricks.
Laying a fireplace in the house If this condition is not met, the strength of the masonry suffers, since with strong heating the seams are deformed much more than the brick. To ensure uniformity, a smooth, plastic mortar should be used.
- Red brick has high porosity, which is why it is able to absorb liquid. Therefore, it must be soaked before work.
- The refractory brick is immediately ready for use. To improve adhesion to the solution, it is enough to wash off the dust particles.
You cannot use both ceramic and refractory bricks for dressing seams at the same time: they have different performance characteristics, including expansion coefficient. It is not recommended to place parts of bricks chipped inside the smoke channel, so as not to interfere with the normal passage of gases.
Arches
Arch masonry Covering the opening occupies one of the most important places in the composition of the fireplace.
Even at the initial stage of work, thinking through the design of the fireplace, you can choose the appropriate type for it.
It can be made of whole red brick, with perfectly straight lines and clear seams.
If the masonry is not very successful in appearance, it can be improved with plaster.
Metal and reinforced concrete are not suitable for covering the opening, as they expand greatly when heated, which leads to the destruction of the masonry. Very popular are beam and arched ceilings, which, in addition to functionality, are also very decorative.
Chimney
The wall of a brick smoke pipe must be at least half a brick wide. In the case where the surface is intended to be plastered, a thickness of one-quarter is acceptable. It is recommended to make chimney channels strictly vertical.
Creating a brick fireplace in your home with your own hands is not difficult if you strictly follow all the recommendations. The laying of the fireplace chimney is the same as that of the fireplace itself. Some difficulties may be caused by laying the pipe where it enters the roofing material.
Usually, to ensure fire safety in the attic, a widening of the masonry is made, called cutting. It can also be made from a pre-prepared reinforced concrete slab equipped with a hole for the pipe. It is important to follow the following rules:
Laying above roof level is the most difficult stage of the work. Here, exclusively selected bricks are used, which are laid on a cement-clay mortar. The riser is raised above the roof plane by about two layers, after which they begin to lay out the otter. The pipe laying is completed with a neck and head.
A brick pipe can easily be replaced by a round or ceramic one. It is much easier to install such a pipe than to lay it out of brick. But it has a significant drawback - it cools very quickly. If there is a significant gap between kindlings, it will be quite difficult to light the fireplace.
Therefore, such a pipe must be well insulated. The joint between the round section and the brick fireplace masonry is reliably strengthened. Pipe joints must be perfectly sealed.
Finishing
Decorative stone finishing When making a fireplace for a country house, you can give free rein to your imagination and bring your ideas and dreams to life. When it comes down to it, there is plenty of room for creative ideas to run wild.
The new stove can be finished to your taste, choosing from several existing finishes.
For cladding you can use many different materials.
Ceramic cladding is carried out from the bottom up, from the firebox opening to the required level. Spectacular marble tiles are used to decorate the firebox and fireplace portal.
Plastering
The surface of the fireplace must be prepared for the process. Masonry and cracks are cleared, a metal mesh is attached to inclined surfaces and to all large areas.
Special brackets are used, or it is simply nailed down. All metal elements are protected with a layer of drying oil to avoid corrosion.
First apply a small layer of plaster, no thicker than 0.5 cm. When it dries well, another layer is applied.
It uses a more densely diluted composition or. If necessary, you can apply another layer, a third, but the total thickness of the coating should not be more than one and a half centimeters.
Plasterboard cladding
To give the product a rectangular shape, the fireplace is lined with plasterboard. To do this, first install a rigid frame, which is then finished with plasterboard.
Coloring
It is carried out on a previously plastered surface. To do this, use adhesive and chalk paint compositions. If you need a snow-white surface, you can add a little blue to the paint.
Many of us dream of sitting in the winter cold near a warm
fireplace, read alone or talk with loved ones in a cozy
atmosphere. But not everyone knows how to make a fireplace on their own. In fact, when
If you wish, you can do anything, including building a simple fireplace.
Planning and calculation
Before you start building a fireplace in a private house or cottage, you need to design it correctly, as well as calculate all the costs associated with its construction, i.e. make an estimate.
The cost of the work depends on the type of fireplace, its finishing with various materials and many other components. It is necessary to take into account not only its location, ceiling height, number of floors of the building, but also the features of the foundation, the material of the floor and facade walls, as well as the need for insulation,
Some experts suggest that you will need at least 50 thousand rubles if you are building a brick fireplace, lined with natural stone, in a two-story small house (pipe diameter from 200 to 260 cm).
Let's look at the main stages of building such a fireplace.
Fireplace design
The main components of a fireplace are the firebox and chimney, but other elements are no less important for its effective functioning:
- smoke collector
- heating
device - ash pit
- grate
- valve (bottom
firebox under the grate where the ash gets) - lining
(internal thermal insulation layer of the fireplace lining) - fire cutter
- system
forced convection - safety doors
Types of fireplaces and their main parameters
The location of the fireplace determines its appearance.
Wall fireplace
The most common. It usually comes in large sizes and is located near the wall.
It is erected even in a house built a long time ago. The wall to which the chimney is attached
must be fire resistant.
Built-in fireplace
The smallest one. Built into some wall niche. It should be erected during the construction phase of the house.
Corner fireplace
The most beautiful and effective. Located in the corner of the room. Its chimney is attached to
one adjacent wall.
Freestanding fireplace
Ostrovny. It looks like a flat platform that rises above the floor surface.
How to choose a place for a fireplace
You should not place the fireplace in a draft, in the hallway or near the stairs, or in rooms smaller than 20 m2. It is necessary to analyze the bearing capacity of the foundation and ceiling, and provide free space in front of the fireplace.
In a wooden house, events should be held for
safety: the floor is made of fire-resistant material, the distance from
firebox to flammable elements and materials must be at least 800 mm.
How to make a fireplace with your own hands
Materials for building a fireplace
To build a brick fireplace you will need the following materials:
Red (stove) brick for the fireplace
It is advisable to purchase stove bricks specifically designed for
such goals. Moreover, it must be of very good quality (no flaws,
homogeneous structure, bright color, regular shape). Tap each one with a hammer
brick, should produce a special clear sound. Poor quality brick emits
clunk. A bluish-black or dark gray color indicates that the brick
burned out. White spots indicate that the technology was not followed
drying. An average fireplace requires 250 - 300 bricks (without chimney).
Fireclay bricks (or increased fire resistance) are used for
firebox linings.
Clay, sand and cement
It is better to use red clay (0.5 cubic meters depending on
fat content), but regular is also possible. If fire bricks are used,
then you will need fireproof clay. The need for as clean sand as possible (preferably
so that it has a fraction of no more than 1.5 mm) is about 0.6-0.8 m3.
The need for ordinary cement (grade 200 or 300) is 100 kg (together with
foundation works).
