Fireplaces and stoves have been used to heat country houses since ancient times. Modern materials and innovative design ideas allow us to create functional and at the same time beautiful designs that will decorate any interior. A firebox is the main element of a stove or fireplace.
Types of stove and fireplace inserts
There are two main types of furnaces: open and closed. The installation rules, the choice of finishing material and other design issues depend on their design. A firebox is a chamber in which fuel is burned (firewood, coal, fuel briquettes, gas).
By type of execution:
- Open. The classic version. Coefficient of performance 10-20%. Firewood in it burns quickly. The design is fire hazard. Sparks and coals can get on the floor and nearby objects. Oxygen from the room is quickly absorbed, it is necessary to ventilate it. Flames are sensitive to sharp winds. A large layer of soot forms on the chimney, it must be constantly removed. The advantage of an open firebox is the ability to observe an open fire.
- Closed. The furnace is equipped with a door. It is made of heat-resistant glass, metal, cast iron. Glass doors allow you to admire the flame, designs are popular among buyers. The efficiency of the furnace is closed 80-85%. It is safe, the firewood in it smolders slowly, this allows you to save on fuel. A fireplace or stove can be left unattended without fear of fire.
- The chimney is less clogged. The range of enclosed structures: classic, radial, prism-shaped, tunnel, corner, architectural, non-standard.
According to the material of manufacture of the furnace there are:
- Cast iron. The material is durable, heat-resistant, has high heat dissipation, a long service life, is resistant to deformation, allows you to heat large areas. Fire chambers are made according to standards, the choice of models is small, they are expensive, special skills are required for installation.
- Steel. Made from heat resistant material. The design provides for two buildings: internal (made of cast iron) and external (made of steel). The choice of models is wider; designs of non-standard shapes and sizes are on sale.
Choice of furnace power
The power of the furnace is an important indicator. The design functionality depends on it. Before starting construction work, you need to calculate the area of the room. It is necessary to determine the role of the fireplace: the main source of heat or an additional, decorative element in the design of the room.
Manufacturers indicate all the technical characteristics of the goods, their power must be clarified in the store. To heat a room area of 40-100 m 2, a furnace for a fireplace with a capacity of 8-12 kW is required. Approximate calculation formula: 1 kW per 10 m 2 .
Firebox Elements
The firebox has walls, a base, a smoke collector, a grate, an ash pan, a slide gate and doors.
- The walls. Their number depends on the design of the fireplace. They can be made of steel, cast iron, fireclay bricks, stone, tempered glass.
- Base. The lower part of the structure is made of stone bricks or cast iron.
- Smoke collector. Collects and removes gases and smoke through a chimney to the street. It can be part of the design of the furnace, is made of the same material, or is a separate part that is attached to the wall, chimney.
- Grate. Located at the bottom of the furnace, provides air flow. Allows coal and ash to be poured into an ash pan.
- Ashpit. A box for collecting ash. Located under the grate. It must be cleaned in a timely manner.
- Gate valve. Located in the chimney. If necessary, it can be blocked.
- Door. Available in fireboxes of a closed type. It is made of cast iron, steel or tempered glass.
Choosing a fireplace insert is a responsible process. It is necessary to take into account many characteristics: room area, power, type of furnace, material of manufacture, design.