Fireplace in the wall

Modern fireplaces that are installed in apartments or private homes are hardly similar to their counterparts, popular several hundred years ago, although many designers are trying to design their appearance in a medieval style. Previously, these were massive structures made of stone. Our ancestors, the owners of castles and palaces, could afford squandering in relation to the space of the room. Today, space saving is the main issue in all areas of interior decoration.

Design solutions allow you to visually increase the volume of rooms using furniture, wall and ceiling finishes, curtains, lighting. The decorative attribute - the fireplace, it would seem, has nothing to do with it, but this opinion is erroneous. Built-in fireplaces, as a separate type, position themselves in terms of space saving. Around this positive quality, a whole theory is built, the fundamentals of which we will try to consider.

Main types

First of all, you need to figure out what position in the classification is occupied by built-in fireplaces. Despite the rich terminology, there is no single way to separate fireplaces. In order not to lose sight of any representative of this decor, we note that the classification can be carried out according to one of the properties.

We give an example. According to the installation method, angular, island and wall are distinguished. For installation - freestanding, wall-mounted and built-in. By type of fuel - gas, pellet, wood, electric. Moreover, the branches of classifications may intersect. That is, you can meet the built-in electric fireplace, etc.

Since the emphasis is on the built-in fireplaces, we highlight their main types.

Built into the wall.
Mounted in the portal.
Inserted into the furniture.

Each of the species has its advantages and disadvantages, which greatly affects the boundaries of their applicability. Therefore, installing a fireplace in a room consists of several stages, among which the design choice is not the last.

Wall options

The fireplace built into the wall looks original. His appearance destroys all our ideas about the classic fireboxes in the room. To see the flame at a certain height from the floor is a real miracle.

The main purpose of wall mounting is to save space in the room. The firebox can be located both at the base of the wall, and at a height. But saving space in one room can turn into a completely opposite effect in another.

The depth of the focus is approximately 60 cm. The interior walls, of course, are smaller in thickness. Consequently, part of the furnace will be introduced into the next room. There are two ways to solve this problem: firebox decor and double-sided firebox.

The decor can be made of drywall covering a metal frame. The ledge from the wall is disguised as a shelf, chest of drawers or a functional drawer.
Double-sided firebox has two windows on opposite sides. This allows you to observe the flame from one and from another room at the same time.

The corner fireplace occupies two planes at once. Despite his original performance, he did not find much popularity. It is built in during the construction phase, while strengthening the niches in the walls. In the repair process, it is very difficult to carry out such procedures; large-scale construction work has to be carried out. Lack of professionalism can lead to collapse of the walls.

What kind of fireplaces by type of fuel is beneficial to build into the wall? The corner fireplace and the device with two fire chambers have one valuable advantage - two glasses for heat transfer. It would be foolish not to take advantage of this advantage. Such models of the hearth should fulfill the role of not only the original decoration, but also qualitatively heat the room.

This means that you can install wood, gas and electric fireplaces, but it is most advantageous to use gas as fuel. It has high efficiency, does not require reserves and does not bring as much garbage as can be obtained from firewood.

Unfortunately, one more nuance will have to be considered. The chimney is not always possible to arrange in the wall. It is constructed separately and finished in the most attractive and suitable way. Electric fireplace will not require not only additional work, but even the presence of representatives of regulatory organizations. It can be easily mounted and dismantled independently.

Framing

Absolutely all fireplaces can be built into a special portal, which forms a single fireplace set with the firebox. In terms of functionality and security, no priorities are allocated. Devices that run on any type of fuel are great here. Portals can be purchased or homemade.

To build in an electric fireplace, it is enough to make a case from a metal profile and sheathe it with drywall. More massive representatives of gas or wood fireboxes require a solid foundation. The portal is laid out of bricks and can be finished outside like stone.

The advantage of framed fireplaces is based on the fact that such models can be installed anywhere in the room. But after installation, built-in fireplaces on wood or gas can not be transported.

Installed in furniture

Advanced technologies allow you to harmoniously fit the fireplace inserts into finished cabinets. This original solution is a decoration not only of the room, but also of the furniture set. The hearth is framed by a frame and mounted in a prepared niche. The idea of mortise household appliances has long been practiced in kitchen sets.

MDF or plastic, from which the furniture elements are made, cannot but impose restrictions on the fireplaces built into them. This is due to the sensitivity of surfaces to temperature differences.

The mounted hearth should carry only the function of the illusion of fire. The most neutral and most successful option will be an electric fireplace without a heating function. Another alternative solution may be a built-in biofireplace, the heat from which is also minimal.

Summing up the classification topic, it should be noted that built-in fireplaces have characteristic advantages and disadvantages. The positive properties include ease of installation, the possibility of two-sided heating, stylish design, space saving. The disadvantage is the need for a chimney and the inability to use the heating function of the fireplace built into the furniture.

Varieties

The following types of fireplaces are distinguished:

Flat. This type includes wall and wall fireplaces. In the wall structure, the main elements are mounted on the wall. It makes a hole for the chimney and firebox. Front fireplaces are part of one wall, while corner fireplaces use an angle and, accordingly, two walls. The advantage of such fireplaces is that they can be installed in rooms with a small area.

Wall fireplace. The difference between this type of fireplace and the rest is that all or part of it is not in the wall, but near it. This is very convenient if the fireplace needs to be installed already in the finished house. The fireplace is installed near a wall or partition with brick insulation.

Electric fireplace. There are a lot of varieties of such fireplaces. Some models of electric fireplaces recreate not only imitation of a flame, but also decorative coals or firewood. At the same time, they can make fire sounds and even imitate a light haze. There are also very advanced models - with the function of air purification and its ionization. With a pipe. These are solid fuel fireplaces. Most often it is firewood or coals. Such designs are made with a chimney and firebox.

One of the varieties of construction with a pipe is a double-sided fireplace. If the wall thickness is not large enough to mount a fireplace insert in it, the back of the furnace protrudes from the wall, and you have to somehow decorate it additionally - for example, build additional partitions or a false wall. The main feature of this design is that sometimes in this case a second firebox is laid out and a two-sided fireplace is obtained, which is capable of heating two rooms at once.

A fireplace built into furniture may also have a chimney. Such fireplaces are a rarity. Usually these are gas or electric decorative structures. Since the furniture is mainly made of wood and does not tolerate high temperatures, the performance of such models is small. Their purpose is more aesthetic than practical.

Open fireplaces have a firebox open on one or several sides. The classic design of an open fireplace is when the firebox is open only from the facade. Such fireplaces burn a lot of oxygen during their work. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure a constant air supply to the furnace.

A closed fireplace is a traditional stove with a built-in firebox or fireplace door.

How to make out

After all installation work on the installation of fireplaces is completed, the question arises of how to properly trim the space around the fireplace and the device itself so that it forms a single whole with the general environment of the room. If a large space remains between the ceiling and the fireplace, you can fill it by hanging the TV panel there.

However, there is an opinion that there is no place for a TV near the fireplace. In this case, the wall above the fireplace can be decorated by placing objects of your hobby. It can be paintings, photos, murals or even a collection weapon.

If your fireplace has a three-way view, you can hang mirrors on the sides around it so that the flames reflect in them, creating more light in the room.

Installation and wall requirements

In order for the fireplace to be a source of warmth and joy, it is necessary to observe certain requirements for its installation and proper mounting to the wall. If the wall is wooden, it needs proper thermal insulation. To do this, you can use basalt or mineral wool (sold in plates of various thicknesses), or other non-combustible heaters. Brickwork can also act as a heat insulator. Insulating materials can be decorated with heat-resistant tiles. It can also be revetted with the floor space around the fireplace. If the tile is laid end-to-end, then sealing joints between the plates is not required.

From the back wall to the fireplace, a fire distance of 1 meter must be maintained. If you wall the wall with asbestos 12 cm drywall, and then protect it with a metal sheet, the distance between the wall and the fireplace can be reduced to 40-50 cm.The thickness of the outer walls in the chimneys, as well as the partitions between the chimneys and ventilation pipes, should be at least 125 mm.

Interesting solutions in the interior.

Speaking about modern technology, one cannot but mention the Hi-Tech style. Fireplaces in this style are made of high quality refractory materials. This is the realm of metal, glass and concrete. This style is minimalist and very amateur.

The cold of weapons and stainless steel and the transparency of refractory glass, clear lines and ascetic design - these are the hallmarks of fireplaces in this design. This is an unrestrained flight of high-tech designers' imagination. The forms of fireplaces can be so bizarre that the first time it is not always possible to make out a fireplace in them. They can be rounded, for example, in the form of a prism or a beer barrel, or they can be in the form of a polygon with broken lines and irregular angles.

Modern fireplaces can be controlled like televisions using a remote control or smartphone. Heating equipment has a self-cleaning function, and heat-resistant screens are able to withstand temperatures of more than 800C.

Fireplaces that create the effect of weightlessness look very original, as if floating in the air. Of great interest to customers with increased requirements are models of hanging fireplaces, as well as rotating designs and other design ideas.

Sometimes built-in fireplace models look like holography or create the illusion of a certain picture. There are also fireplaces in the form of a flat-screen TV, a window opening. Known models of fireplaces made in the form of various sculptures.

Rating of the best

Among the most popular companies producing fireplaces, the French brand Focus is very famous. Among the most original models can be noted a fireplace with sliding doors made of bronze. Their texture is similar to magma frozen after a volcanic eruption.

Norwegian company fireplaces are not only ideal for the harsh Russian climate, but also will become an adornment of any interior. It offers consumers a variety of styles - from discreet classics to chic baroque and all permitted modernity. The peculiarity of the models of this company is that their design can be changed independently. If you wish, you can trim the fireplace lining with decorative plaster or simply repaint it from a boring color to something new. And the availability of its assembly allows you not to resort to the expensive services of specialists when installing a fireplace.

The fireplace set Malta from the company Nordpeis is designed for country houses. It is able to burn a room up to 110 m2. This is an international project. The portal for this model is made of marble by the Polish company Jabo Marmi, and the fire chamber of the German company Spartherm is made of high-strength steel

Nordpeis Geilo is a round-shaped fireplace with folding doors, which can be the highlight of any interior. For the manufacture of cladding, a modern material was used - composite. This material is characterized by a clear division of borders between the two types of finishes. The cast-iron firebox works on wood and is able to hold heat for a long time.

Modern models of fireplaces are constructed using high technology. Among others, structures with a hidden chimney can be noted. The horizontal box can be hidden under the floor, or built into it. There are also almost fabulous fireplaces, reminiscent of a children's fairy tale about Pinocchio - with a fake firebox. A TV is built into the firebox itself, which broadcasts a flame recording.

Built-in brick fireplace

Fireplace - the most common type. It is great for giving and a country house. Equipped with various additional systems that increase heat transfer, the fireplace guarantees comfort, coziness and safety in the room.

Pleasant warmth coming from an open flame cannot be replaced. The game of flames attracts attention. The fireplace takes up little space, it can be arranged even in a small room. Drowning him a little into the wall. Wall-mounted brick fireplace created as if specifically so that there was still enough space in a small room after its installation.

But the area of the room should be at least 20 m2, the ceiling height - 3 m. The furnace area is calculated on the basis of these figures, and is 1:50 of the size of the room. Then the heating will be efficient, the heat is distributed evenly.

Principles of fireplaces

Fireplaces are built with an open firebox, air or water heating. The main device of all models is similar, a fundamental difference arises only when a conventional wood-burning fireplace is combined with water heating. This allows you to heat other rooms through conventional radiators or underfloor heating.

The installation of fireplaces with heating is more complicated than usual, and it is better to entrust their laying to professionals.You can build a regular brick built-in fireplace yourself, having only small skills in construction work.

What kind of preference

To install a built-in fireplace home, it is not enough to have finances. It is necessary to consider all the parameters and determine the type of device suitable for installation. When calculating power, you can use a simple rule: 1 kW of power should be in 10 m 2 of area. The power of the fireplace is indicated in his passport, and the area of the room is easy to measure.

Having decided on the type of fuel, make sure once again the possibility of implementing your idea. Useful advice on installing the chimney can be obtained at the controlling authorities. Do not overdo the fireplace performance. He undoubtedly heats the room faster, but fuel consumption will not please you.

If a fireplace with a double-sided firebox has a depth greater than the wall thickness, then do not rush to abandon the implementation of the idea with this model. Many masters allow the protrusion of the hearth door from the wall at a certain distance.

The hearth with a flame simulation system can work on different principles. Check with the seller exactly what technology is implemented in your chosen model. The most high-quality imitation, which is difficult to distinguish from a real fire, has a fireplace paired with an ultrasonic steam generator.

In conclusion, we note that such products fit perfectly into the modern interior, the hallmark of which is maximum simplicity and functionality.

Types of built-in foci

There are several types of built-in fireplaces:

Electric hearth built into the wall

Built into the wall. In such foci, the main part is hidden inside the wall, there is a furnace niche and a chimney in it. They can be frontal, that is, located in the plane of the wall, or they can be angular (as the name implies, they are located in the corner of the room).

This is a good option for a small home in which there is a lack of space. With skillful installation, it is possible to adapt such a hearth for heating two rooms at once. Corner models are less popular due to the complexity of the installation.

Hearth built into furniture

Built in furniture. This option is relatively rare. Such fireplaces are usually gas or electric and play an exclusively decorative role. There is not much heat from them, and wooden furniture does not tolerate high temperatures well.

Built-in models can be completely hidden in the wall surface, and can have protruding parts from it, for example a smoke collector and, in rare cases, a chimney. This is usually part of the design idea. Also they can be both with one-sided, and with a bilateral fire chamber.

If we talk about the types of cladding, then there are brick, wooden, stone and plasterboard models.

Advantages and disadvantages of built-in foci

Built-in foci have many advantages. Their main advantage is the possibility of saving space. Since the device is mounted on a wall, it does not take up extra space, which is very appreciated by the owners of small apartments. However, it is wrong to consider that the fireplace does not reduce the space of the room at all. Given that in many houses the walls are quite thin, the back surface of the hearth often protrudes into the adjacent room.

This flaw can be hidden with a false wall, but it greatly reduces the area of the room. Fortunately, manufacturers were able to take advantage of this by starting to produce double-sided fireplaces. Thus, buying one hearth, it is possible to enjoy the view of the flame in two rooms at once and to heat two rooms at the same time.

Convection fireplace or stove

Another opportunity to heat several rooms immediately appears when buying a model with a convection system. So, hot air ducts can be drawn into rooms adjacent to the fireplace and heated with it.

The main disadvantage that such fireplaces possess is the need to plan their construction during construction or at the stage of major repairs, the first option being preferable. If you install built-in models during repair, they reduce the strength of the entire structure of the house. The installation of a corner fireplace is especially undesirable, because it is located at the junction of two walls, which increases the risk.

It is also important to remember that the wall into which the hearth will be built must have a thickness of at least 60 cm and withstand high temperatures. It is worth noting that in wood fireplaces the temperature can reach 600 degrees. For this reason, wood or wallpaper should not be used for cladding.

Built-in hearth design

The fireplace consists of several parts.

Built-in convection heating stove

Firebox. Usually it is buried and resembles a rectangular box consisting of 3 walls and a vault. The front part is open or equipped with heat-resistant glass, providing full visibility and protecting against sparks and soot. Sometimes, in order to provide a better view, the firebox is not completely mounted on the wall, but slightly extends beyond it.

Most often, this trick is used in corner models, due to which the size of the furnace window increases. The only drawback of this method is the fact that the smoke box also begins to protrude. Sometimes, for the beauty of the flame, the fireplace inside is finished with copper or brass, which reflect glare. To create a panoramic view, you must observe a slope of 30 degrees.

Deepening for the installation of the portal and the organization of the pre-fireplace space

The foundation of the portal. This phrase means a platform based on a foundation or overlap. It can be laid out of stone or brick, or it can be just a concrete screed.

This site plays an important role, since it is not just the basis for the portal, but also a special security zone.

Ready portal for the fireplace

Portal: It is considered an independent product, since it is manufactured and sold separately from fireplaces. They can be on the floor, or they can be mounted on the wall.

Typically, fireplace portals look like the letter P, which allows you to enter both a rectangular and rounded firebox in them. There is no clear standard for their shape; it can be anything from a circle to a polygon.

Considering that the fireplace itself is usually hidden in the wall, all the facing works consist in the design of the portal.

Smoke collector. It is necessary for the formation of a stable flow during the transition of gases into the chimney. Often has a pyramidal shape. In cases when it protrudes from the wall, a special decorative casing is used for its design, having the shape of a trapezoid or rectangle.

It is worth noting that a niche for storing logs is rarely found in built-in fireplaces. Usually they are kept in a separate firewood or special basket. The only model where an exception is possible is a fireplace with a double-sided firebox.

Double-sided built-in hearths

Double-sided fireplaces are usually rectangular in shape. Outwardly, they look like a part of a wall whose surface is made of glass. A fire burns inside her. Such a focus often plays a decorative role. If you install it in the wall connecting the adjacent rooms, it will heat both rooms, but the amount of heat generated will be small.

Built-in hearth with double-sided firebox

Double-sided furnaces must be closed with glass doors, otherwise the fireplace may begin to smoke. Such doors are good in that firewood can be thrown into the fire while in any of the rooms.

How to install a fireplace in the wall and not fill up the whole house

What could be more beautiful than a bewitching play of light and shadow from a living flame? Fireplaces have always been appreciated by homeowners for the ability to effectively transform the home and give it a touch of aristocracy. Until recently, it was impossible to create a similar design in apartment buildings. But there were installations built into the wall, but before you realize your dream with them, you need to weigh the pros and cons.

Fireplace in the wall: pros and cons

Due to its light weight, there is no need to prepare the foundation for built-in fireplaces. Due to this, they save the usable space of the room and can be installed in almost any room. The presented designs can heat several rooms at the same time.

The main disadvantage of such a source is a decrease in the bearing capacity of the wall. For its installation, it will be necessary to disturb the brickwork or to make a hole in the concrete, or to prepare the place in advance at the design stage of the house - all this is not always possible. Installation without fail requires a major overhaul of the room and high cash costs.

What are fireplaces: varieties

All built-in fireplaces are classified according to two criteria: type of fuel and design. According to the type of combustible material used, they are:

electric - they imitate a natural flame,
gas - distinguish foci with food on natural or liquefied gas,
classic wood based fuels,
decorative - ready-made factory structures that carry only decorative functions.

The choice of a certain type of hearth depends not only on personal preferences, but also on the features of the apartment. If the wall thickness is less than 60 cm, then the installation of a gas or installation, most likely, will be impossible.

According to the design features, the hearth can be completely hidden in the wall, or have elements protruding from it - which is part of the design idea. There are also two-burner fireplaces, in which an open hearth is located on both sides of the wall, two rooms are heated simultaneously.

Decorative fireplaces are popular in homes with low wall bearing capacity. Fire in such designs is simulated with the help of special candles, or biofuel feeds it. In some models it is completely absent - inside there are only decorative logs with a built-in spiral that simulates sparks.

How to install a built-in fireplace

Before you go to the store for any design of the fireplace, you need to decide on its future location. In doing so, be guided by the following provisions:

it is not recommended to use load-bearing walls between neighboring apartments - this can reduce the stability of the entire building,
the chimney is not suitable for decorative hearths,
for two-furnace options, the partition between the bedroom and the living room is optimal
for gas structures, the wall thickness should be at least 60 cm.

Having decided on the design, they begin to create a niche. Two options are possible here:

Construction of a niche during the construction of a house, for example, a private cottage.
Hollowing out a place for a fireplace in an already rebuilt house.

In both cases, it is better to contact design organizations for the preparation of a niche for the outbreak. Taking care of the process yourself, remember:

the dimensions of the niche depend on the parameters of your focus, but the depth should be at least 6 cm,
the deeper you place the fireplace in the wall, the more spectacular it will look,
for two-burner structures, it is necessary to make a through hole in the wall.

After creating a niche, they begin to create a chimney. It is usually hidden behind a false wall, decorating it under a real chimney. After preparation, the niches proceed directly to the installation of the fireplace. The sequence of actions will differ depending on which focus you have selected.

Electric

Before installing the electric fireplace, you should remove all the flaws of the prepared niche. Cracks and chips are filled with cement mortar, the edges are framed with a plaster composition for a neat appearance. After that proceed with the installation:

Brackets are fixed to the back wall of the niche.
Place the fireplace in the finished niche and fix it on the brackets with fasteners.
Down or to the side of the fireplace, groove a groove.
An electric cable is placed in the finished furrow.

As the hearth will be securely fixed in the wall, proceed to its decoration. Cracks and cracks must be filled with heat-resistant compounds. The outlet for connecting the hearth is hidden behind a false wall.

Gas

The installation of gas fireplaces is fraught with a number of additional difficulties that cannot be ignored when choosing this design. First you need to determine the specific type of fuel - it is either natural or liquefied gas. In the first case, the sequence of actions is as follows:

Fastening the structure to the prepared niche with brackets or anchor bolts.
Creating a chimney - installing a set of pipes and their removal from the house.
The call of the gas team to supply communications - the gas pipeline.

Particularly responsible should approach the implementation of the third step. If you decide to run the pipes yourself, or by disguising them inside the wall, you will break the law and you will not be allowed to use the fireplace.

The installation of a liquefied gas fireplace is distinguished by the following points:

Registration of permits is not required.
Laying communications can be done independently. To do this, make a groove and hide a gas pipe in it.
A gas cylinder is placed under the floor, or in the cavity of the wall in a heat-resistant container.

In all other respects, the installation does not differ from the installation of an electric fireplace.

Decorative

When purchasing a decorative hearth, you should take care of its dimensions - so that it does not stand out from the overall design of the room. Installation of a decorative fireplace begins with the design of a niche - it is covered with a primer, leveled with a screed, and then decorated with textured plaster.

A set of candles imitating a flame, or an oblong container with biofuel, is placed in a decorated niche. As a rule, chimneys are not suitable for such constructions - the vapors released from combustion are safe. The interior space is decorated with imitating burning logs plastic.

What is required for the construction of a fireplace

Drawing or ordering (accurate calculation of the required number of bricks for each row).
Refractory brick (fireclay), a simple or decorative facing brick in sufficient quantity.
Cement, sand, clay.
When constructing a fireplace on the basement, waterproofing material is required.
Trowel, level, hammer, hammer drill.
A metal sheet that lays down as a base if there is a wooden floor around the fireplace.
Chimney damper.
Lattice, fireplace accessories, decoration accessories and other decorative elements.

To build a pipe, brick or prefabricated sections (blocks) are usually used, which are already pre-mounted in the wall.

Before you start laying a fireplace, you need to make sure that its base is strong enough, since the fireplace is heavy, it sometimes weighs up to a ton. You can place a built-in fireplace near the external and internal walls of the house. The main thing is to take into account the location of the chimney.

Photo: Built-in fireplace in the wall

The masonry of the fireplace itself is carried out on clay mixed with river sand. The solution should not stick to your hands and crumble. Concrete mortar is sometimes used, but sand and clay are environmentally friendly materials.

Although the fireplace is built-in, it is semicircular in shape, sometimes it imitates a stove recessed into a wall. The red brick itself is beautiful, but later it can still be decorated with various finishing materials. Glazed tiles, facing bricks, natural and artificial stone look great.

Fireplace masonry order

The construction of any kind of fireplace begins with ordering. It is necessary at all stages of construction. Bricks are pre-wetted in water so that air comes out of them. In this case, the masonry will be stronger, the solution will harden, as expected.You don’t need to soak a lot of bricks at once, wet ones can collapse.

The first row of bricks is a continuous canvas. With the help of the building level, they are checked whether they are evenly laid. In the second row, a niche for firewood is sometimes laid out. From the fifth to 12th row, the side walls and the portal of the fireplace are formed. There is a firebox. Its inner surface is laid out with refractory bricks, which can not be bandaged with ordinary. In row 12 we complete the formation of the portal. For laying the figured portal, temporary formwork is used, then it is removed. In this embodiment, the fireplace is straight, overlapping met. a corner.

13 row - overlapping fireplace. At 14-15, a curtain wall is constructed, it ends with a countertop. In the next rows the smoke box is laid out.

Then we enter the finished chimney. Also at this stage, a valve is set. At the end, the chimney rises to the required height.