Before installing a fireplace in a room, you must answer your question, what tasks will you set for this equipment. Many consumers are trying to find a universal solution in this device, but it is not able to perform several functions at once. You must understand that a decorative product does not have maximum heat transfer. It is also important to remember that there is a big difference between the fireplace in the apartment and the three-story house.
Fireplace device
Before you start installing a fireplace, you should familiarize yourself with its device. In any such equipment, there are the main constituent elements, among which are:
The portal is a decorative part that frames and surrounds the firebox. The firebox itself is a niche where a fire is made. When installing a fireplace, it is important to remember the presence of a chimney through which smoke will be removed. The portal is the most decorative element of the whole structure, and the rest of the parts are more likely to play a functional role.
Fireplace installation
Installation of the fireplace involves the assembly of a huge number of small parts. The design will be quite massive, therefore, it will require a reliable foundation, which will undergo a significant load. In terms of arrangement, the foundation is almost no different from that which fits into any structure.
If possible, it is necessary to consider whether it is possible to erect the foundations for the fireplace and the main building at the design stage of the house at the same time, because in this case you will not have to dismantle the coatings in the future. However, it is impossible to make the bases in such a way that they form a single structure, because they will carry different loads. Shrinkage during operation will also be different.
Between the bases should be left a gap of 5 cm, which is covered with sand. However, the installation of the fireplace is accompanied by the need to comply with other rules. If we compare the size of the fireplace table with the foundation plane under the fireplace itself, the parameters of the latter will be 5 cm more. It is necessary to lay the foundation at least 50 cm. The final value will depend on the condition of the soil.
Sometimes the bookmark is carried out to a more impressive depth. If you have to work with sandy soil, you should remember some features. Under the influence of the foundation, such soil will be compacted, so it can sag in a short time. Clay soils are unreliable; they have characteristics determined by current humidity. If it is quite high, the soil will not be able to carry the load.
Installation of the fireplace is accompanied by a foundation device, for which materials are used:
- rubble stone;
- crushed stone;
- gravel;
- brick.
Cement or lime-cement mortar act as binding elements for base fillers. When preparing the mixture, the ratio of sand to cement will suffice, which is as follows: 1 to 6.
Features of the installation of the fireplace: installation of the chimney
Fireplaces, the installation and installation of which can be carried out by home craftsmen, have chimneys. They should be collected taking into account the rules and requirements, otherwise it will not be possible to talk about the safety of even the highest quality fireplace. The chimney should not be located in the outer walls. The pipe is closer to the ridge.
If the pipe section on the street is smaller, this option is most optimal. The best material for the chimney is brick. Umbrellas and reflectors should not be placed at the output of this part. Carrying out the installation of the fireplace with your own hands, you must remember that it is important to ensure the influx of fresh air, otherwise the equipment will not work.
If we compare closed structures with open ones, the first ones lose. By creating a draft of the necessary intensity, it will be possible to ensure the removal of gases and air using a smoke structure, guaranteeing the removal of combustion products. The chimney must be resistant to soot, condensate, and also withstand the temperature of the exhaust gases. It should be created in such a way that this site complies with building, fire and operational standards.
Features of the installation of the chimney
The installation manual for the fireplace provides for compliance with the rules when installing the chimney. For each of the latter, certain processes can be considered to strengthen the flue structure, its assembly and installation. If you decide to use a brick, then first you need to build a foundation, then you can start laying walls.
Do not forget about the squeezing, tip and the need for a smoke box. If the chimney is made of ceramic, then modular elements must be fastened. The design should include a revision and connection tee.
It is important to consider the thermal expansion during installation , which is characteristic of the operation process. It is unacceptable to break the tightness of the channel. When creating and designing the structure, the installation order of the chimney, its height, cross section and the correspondence of the constituent elements should be calculated.
Installation of a fireplace insert
Installation of a fireplace in the house must be accompanied by compliance with fire safety rules. The wall around the equipment should be finished with fire-resistant materials, such as ceramic tiles. The device will work effectively exclusively on a flat surface.
The bottom of the firebox must have a protective coating of fireproof materials. The best solution among the latter is considered basalt wool. Installation of a fireplace insert is not recommended on an unprotected floor surface. Side walls should not have a thickness of less than 6 cm; as for the back, then its thickness should be 10 cm.
Features of the placement of the furnace
Stoves and fireplaces, the installation and installation of which can be carried out by you yourself, are functional and decorative components of the room. As for the first, they can be located right next to the wall and even in the corner. If the main function is expressed in cooking and creating a cozy atmosphere, then when the equipment is located near the wall, part of the thermal energy will be spent on heating it, but this factor is not critical.
If it is necessary to install an electric furnace, the fire safety requirements are somewhat relaxed. Before the firebox on the floor, you need to lay a fireproof coating, for this you can use a metal sheet. The nearest wall should be 125 cm from the heater from the oven door. A distance of 120 cm must be maintained from the ceiling to the top. The distance from the side walls to the flammable surfaces of the room should be 50 cm. This also applies to the distance to the wall from the side of the device. To protect the floor, lay a brick base.
Fireplace decoration
For the installation of the fireplace lining, different materials can be used. Porcelain tile acts as one of them, however, the following solutions are also suitable:
- unglazed tiles;
- glazed ceramic tiles;
- gypsum volumetric tile;
- natural stone veneer;
- imitation of different types of stone.
For each type of tile, its own glue is selected, which is combined with the surface and facing material. The adhesive must be heat resistant to withstand temperature changes.
Fireplaces, the device and installation of which are described in the article, are revetted after cleaning and priming the surface. In addition, the base is leveled with plaster. If the walls need to be perfectly aligned, then beacons are installed on them, and a reinforcing mesh is fixed on the surface. In this case, a plaster mortar is poured onto the surface, and alignment is carried out by the rule.
Methodology
If you do not plan to apply a thick layer, then the application should be carried out with a wide spatula and distribute the composition on the surface. The tile is laid only after the layers are completely dry and gain strength. The glue is applied with a notched trowel, which leaves grooves providing high adhesion. Masonry must start from the bottom row, rising up.
The first row must be brought to the ideal horizontal level using the building level, because the accuracy of the entire masonry will depend on it. This applies to all products that are stacked in turn, and not in a chaotic mess. In order to ensure the same size for vertical and horizontal seams, each master resorts to his decisions. Between the rows you can insert pieces of tile, while you may prefer special crosses, however they are suitable for small seams within 5 mm.
Finally
Before choosing a fireplace design you should think about security. For example, a closed firebox in this respect outperforms an open firebox. Therefore, the surest decision in a house where there are children is to install a fireplace with a cast-iron firebox.
If we are talking about a closed structure, then you should know that it is a chamber for burning wood, in which one of the walls is glazed. A door with a lifting mechanism is very convenient, which moves up under the cladding and allows you to turn a closed firebox into an open one.