Building a fireplace is not an easy task and is usually left to a professional stove builder. However, any craftsman familiar with brickwork () is quite capable of independently making a fireplace for a summer house or home. If you follow the technology, it will turn out beautiful, not smoky, and warm the room well. It’s worth starting with the simplest, straight fireplace model.
Project and materials
First you need to decide on the location of the fireplace. Usually it is located at external wall room or in the corner between the outside and internal wall, as the back of the fireplace gets very hot. You should not build a fireplace directly opposite a window or front door, since in this case drafts are provided.
The size of the fireplace and its proportions depend on the room in which it is located. So, for rooms with a volume of 40-80 cubic meters. the fireplace opening should be equal to 1/50th or 1/70th, that is, about 0.2-0.4 m2. In linear dimensions it is approximately 36*45 – 52*77 cm.
The height of the fireplace also depends on the depth of the combustion hole; the ratio should be 1:2 or 2:3. A deeper firebox leads to low heat transfer, and a shallower one leads to smoke in the room. For a fireplace with a combustion opening area of 0.2 sq. m. it will be 18-24 cm, for 0.4 square meters. – 26-35 cm.
The size of the chimney is also related to the area of the firebox. It should be 8-15 times smaller, on average 10 times, that is, 0.02 and 0.04 m2. respectively. This area is provided with a size, for example, 14*14 or 14*27 cm, for round pipe the diameter is 8-14 cm. The length of the chimney is from 4 to 5 meters.
The inner side walls of the fireplace firebox are placed at an angle, turning them outward. The back wall is tilted forward from about one third of the height. A smoke chamber is located on top of the firebox. Between them there is a so-called “pass” - a ledge with a cornice that prevents sparks and soot from entering the chimney, and smoke from entering the room.
Another important parameter, on which the size depends, are the parameters of the brick. Its standard dimensions are 6.5 * 12 * 25 cm. Considering the seam thickness is 3-5 mm, you can choose the following sizes for fireplaces:
- for a room of 10 sq. m. – height 5 rows (38.5 cm), width 2 bricks (53 cm), depth 1 brick, pipe 14*14 cm,
- for a room of 15 sq. m. – height 6 rows (46 cm), width 2.5 bricks (66 cm), depth 1.5 bricks, pipe 14*27 cm,
- for a room of 20 sq. m. – height 7 rows (53.5 cm), width 3 bricks (79 cm), depth 1.5-1.75 bricks, pipe 14*27 cm.
To avoid mistakes when laying a fireplace, “ordering” is done on checkered paper - a drawing with the exact arrangement of bricks in compliance with proportions. They begin to draw from the base of the fireplace, placing the bricks edgewise or flat. The lower part of the firebox consists of 2-3 rows of bricks. Having an accurate layout, you can calculate required amount bricks, taking halves and quarters for whole bricks, you need to add 5% of the quantity for breakage and defects.
To provide fire safety The back of the fireplace and pipes must be insulated to prevent fire. To reflect heat, a thin sheet of metal that reaches the height of the mantel can be attached to the wall behind the fireplace.
To lay the fireplace, solid stove bricks are used, which are also called fireclay bricks. It can withstand repeated heating up to 1000 degrees, is not subject to deformation and retains heat well. The solution is prepared from sand cleared of debris with a fraction of 0.2-1.5 mm; it must be washed from dust in water. Also used are oven clay or blue, Cambrian, cement grade M300-400, crushed stone with a fraction of 2-4 cm, more details. In addition, you will need a metal smoke damper and 20 rods with a diameter of 8-10 mm and a length of 70 cm for reinforcement.
Preparatory work
At the first stage, the foundation of the fireplace is poured. It should not be connected to the foundation of the house, but should be slightly separated from the walls. The area of the foundation should be slightly larger than the area of the fireplace base, with a margin of 4-6 cm on all sides. The distance of 5-10 cm between the foundation of the house and the fireplace is filled with sand.
For the foundation, a hole is dug 10-15 cm larger than its expected size, its depth is about 60 cm. A layer of crushed stone 10-15 cm thick is poured onto its bottom, leveled and compacted. Then, along the perimeter of the pit, formwork is installed, protruding 10-15 cm above the pit, lined with roofing felt for waterproofing, and concrete is poured into it with a cement to sand ratio of 1:3. The concrete is poured gradually, vibrates well, the surface is leveled and smoothed. The foundation poured from above is tightened plastic film and left for a week to dry. The upper edge of the foundation should be located 6-7 cm below the future level flooring.
Masonry
When the foundation is completely dry, roofing material is laid on it in 2 layers. A few days before the main work, the clay is soaked and prepare the mortar for masonry according to all the rules. To lay the first row, it is better to add a small amount of cement to the solution, 10-30% by weight of the solution.
Bricks are calibrated in advance, selecting those closest in size for each row. Before laying, the bricks are immersed in water for a few minutes so that when they dry, they do not draw moisture from the mortar. The first row is often laid edgewise, then its shape is checked with a level and a square. It is necessary to check the verticality of the corners of each row using a level or plumb line, and its horizontalness. To check the equality of the diagonals, use a tape measure or string. The thickness of the seams should be 3-5 mm. Laying a fireplace is a painstaking job, as high demands are placed on its quality.
The first three rows are the base of the fireplace, 4 and 5 are the ash pan, 6 and 7 are the bottom and frame of the fireplace. Further along the 13th row inclusive, the walls of the fireplace are formed, 14-19 - the smoke collector, 20-25 - the chimney. The entire process of laying a fireplace can be watched in the video.
When laying the base and continuous rows of the fireplace, use a trowel or trowel. It is better to lay out the firebox and chimney manually in order to additionally test the solution and control its quality. The solution is applied to the middle of the brick, leaving the edges free. All rows are laid out according to the diagram; for convenience, they can be numbered. Particular attention is paid to the laying of the firebox and chimney channels, so it must be airtight and even, because it cannot be plastered. Excess mortar is immediately removed, and the finished masonry is wiped.
A beautiful curved arch of the fireplace is formed by gradually laying bricks up to 5-6 cm in each row. For curved lintels, temporary formwork is used - a circle, which is fixed with supports under the future arch. The laying begins with a brick located in the center and continues symmetrically in both directions.
When laying a chimney, periodically check its verticality, since deviation can lead to smoke in the room. The chimney, like the base, is laid using a mixture of clay and cement. The fireplace pipe must be insulated for fire safety purposes. To do this, a barrier and an overlap are installed in the place where it passes through the roof.
Fireplace finishing
Blemishes in masonry can be masked by lining the outside of the fireplace natural stone, plastering or painting. If the work is done well, then you can simply “embroider” the empty seams and clean the surface of excess mortar.
The clay used for laying the fireplace allows you to disassemble the row several times, achieving best quality. Slowness and control at every stage of construction will help you make the first fireplace the real center of the house and a source of pride for the owners.
A high-quality fireplace simultaneously functions as a heating unit and a decorative element. It is used as an addition to the main home heating system. Large sizes and special shapes make it possible to make it an expressive accent in the interior, emphasizing the features of a certain style. Self-construction will allow you to take into account the smallest individual needs. This article talks about how to make a fireplace with your own hands: step-by-step instruction, photos and professional advice will help eliminate errors.
You can make a beautiful and effective fireplace in a private home with your own hands with unique characteristics
Do-it-yourself fireplace: step-by-step instructions, photos of preparatory operations
To simplify the task, purchase finished goods made of metal. But we must understand that such structures are subject to heavy loads during operation. When the temperature changes over a wide range, thermal deformations occur. They are capable of breaking high-quality welded joints and causing the formation of other defects. A standard product will have to be selected according to size and appearance for a specific room. But even with unlimited funding, it will be difficult to get the perfect result.
The use of bricks will help to successfully implement the project. Carrying out work operations independently will ensure precise control at all stages, which will allow you to obtain excellent quality. You just need to carefully study and put into practice the following instructions.
Selection of building materials
Surfaces in contact with fire must be flame resistant. They are created using fireclay bricks. The production of such products is complex technological process processing of raw materials. Bricks made from fire-resistant baked clay with the addition of quartz are also used.
Note! You should know that quartz brick is not resistant to chemical compounds based on lime, alkaline components, and iron oxides. It is used only to form a firebox.
The main part of the structure is created using solid red clay bricks. Its strength must be high, so it is recommended to purchase the M200 brand, or a higher category. It is advisable to select such material from one product batch to ensure uniformity of technical and aesthetic characteristics. Hollow bricks used for cladding. You can make it out of it top part pipes.
For a binder solution, normal cement-sand mixture won't do. It will not withstand high temperatures. The basis will be clay of medium fat content. You can purchase ready-made raw materials, with official accompanying documentation confirming the required parameters. If in doubt, use the following methods to thoroughly check.
Make a ball (5-8 mm) from a mixture of clay and sand. Place it on a flat surface and slowly squeeze it with the board on top. Watch for cracks:
- ½ diameter – the solution is too greasy;
- rapid formation of defects - lean mixture;
- 1/3 of the diameter is normal.
The next method is more complicated, but it will help you get a more accurate result. Balls are made from clay and sand. Half of them are flattened to ½ of the original diameter. These blanks are laid out on a dry surface in a room with normal temperature (from +18°C to +25°C), without drafts. After 7-11 days a check is performed. Flatbread without cracks will be suitable. The balls should not break after free falling onto a hard floor from a height of 1 m.
Helpful information! To carry out these experiments, a mixture of clay and water is created. Also prepare compositions of clay (1 part) with sand (0.1; 0.25; 0.75 and 1 part). As a result, the best option will be determined empirically.
During the laying process, the condition of the mortar is promptly checked. It should not break when the mixture is moved to the side with a trowel. If such defects occur, add water. The appearance of sagging after this manipulation indicates an excessively liquid consistency.
Buy high-quality river sand. It can be sifted additionally to remove dirt and impurities. The clay diluted with water is pressed through a strong sieve to remove hard lumps. For masonry 50 pcs. bricks (flat) with seams from 4 to 6 mm, you will need a bucket of mortar. If mixing with a shovel causes difficulties, use the “foot” method.
What you need for finishing
The simplest option is to create an external frame from standard metal parts and then cover it with plasterboard. On the created flat surface You can then use paint, plaster, and other materials. In any case, all components are selected taking into account the proximity of the heat source.
The following is fixed directly to the brick using heat-resistant adhesive solutions:
- porcelain stoneware;
- standard ceramic tiles;
- mosaic;
- slabs made of natural stone.
Tiles are well suited for such projects. On the reverse side of such products, recesses (“rumps”) are created in a factory manner. Special fasteners are installed in them during the installation process. The finished structure is extremely resistant to temperature changes.
Project documentation
Even experienced craftsmen create pre-schemes future masonry taking into account the characteristics of a particular room, individual requirements customer. Standard plans (“orders”) can be easily found on the Internet using the appropriate request. Corrections to professional designs must be made carefully. If in doubt, it is recommended to contact relevant specialists.
This design of a brick fireplace with an open firebox should be studied in more detail. There is a metal embedded element that supports the brickwork. Different coefficients of thermal expansion of materials should be taken into account. It is better to exclude such decisions. Even fireclay bricks must be separated from the main part of the fireplace with a gap of 2-3 mm. It will help maintain the integrity of the structure over a long period of operation.
Note! Chimney documentation is added to the set of drawings. Consideration should be given to the passage of pipes through interfloor ceilings, roofing, creation of layers of insulation, waterproofing. The issues raised here are not included in the materials of this article. They need to be studied separately.
How to make a fireplace with your own hands: step-by-step instructions
To perform the work, use the following algorithm:
- If there is no reliable basis from reinforced concrete slab, you will need a solid foundation. They dig a hole up to 70-80 cm deep. Its width should be greater than the contour of the fireplace by 15-20 centimeters in all directions.
- Make the height of the formwork walls 50-70 mm below the level of the top layer of the floor covering. It is filled with a solution of sand and cement (proportion 3 to 1, respectively). The foundation covered with polymer foam will dry in 10-12 days.
- It is covered with a double layer of roofing felt. Next, they begin laying. In the first layer, the bricks are installed vertically. The following parts are created in accordance with the chosen “order”.
How to decorate a fireplace with your own hands: photos of different designs
The following information will be useful for laying a fireplace with tiles yourself; step-by-step instructions for other technologies are not difficult to find. Installation operations are performed according to the diagram:
- A metal rod is installed into the holes on the back wall of the tile.
- A steel wire is screwed to this element so that the free ends protrude outward.
- They are inserted into the masonry mortar when the brick layers are installed.
Below are examples different options finishing. Each of them is performed using appropriate technology.
Related article:
In a separate publication we will talk about modern functional fireplaces and their making the right choice and placement. Read!
It’s not too difficult to create a fireplace with your own hands: step-by-step instructions, photos and video materials will help you complete it necessary actions Right. Particular attention should be paid preparatory stage. Careful study of the project will eliminate errors. It will help save time, financial and labor resources.
Laying a fireplace with your own hands (video)
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Review of brick fireplace designs
Who doesn't dream of a fireplace in their home? After all, this heating “device” is not only a means of generating heat, but also an excellent decorative element, capable of decorating any interior. As before, the simplest to make is a brick fireplace. The structure of such a hearth is represented by a firebox, a chimney and a portal. But you should not think that the simplicity of the structure implies the possibility of creating it yourself. During construction, it is necessary to take into account many factors that in the future will influence not only appearance, but also on functionality.
Content:
Our works
Types of brick fireplaces
1. U-shaped - is a classic hearth that can be decorated with various architectural elements;
2. In the Art Nouveau style - they are characterized by an elongated rectangular or semicircular shape;
3. In Country style - they have a massive wooden beam and D-shape;
4. In Hi-Tech style - they are basically latest materials which give an extravagant look.
- according to the installation method in the premises:
1. Corner - as the name suggests, it is installed directly in the corner of the room. Thanks to this arrangement, it is able to heat several rooms at once;
2. Closed - this location implies its installation during the construction stage of the building. In this case, it is located directly in the wall. This arrangement takes up minimal space;
3. Open - designed for large houses. They are located in the middle of the room, thus providing more efficient heating. In this case, the chimney is suspended using special chain fasteners.
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Structurally, the fireplace consists of the following elements: |
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Brick fireplace 002Project with a niche for firewood. The firebox is an arched ceiling. Mantel and side ledges. For high ceilings indoors. |
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Wall fireplace 003Low firebox. Suitable for any room. Weight 2000 kg. For burning wood and briquettes. Radial overlap of the firebox. Brick shelf with a projection in front and on the sides. |
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It is laid out from ceramic bricks. A reinforced foundation is required. direct overlap of the firebox and woodshed. Shelf and pedestal projections. |
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Model with woodsheds under the cabinets. For solid fuel. Suitable for large halls of cottages. The firebox ceiling is arched. |
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Consists of a firebox and two niches for firewood. Can be built from any ceramic brick. The design is strictly straight. |
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Project 007Model with straight slabs. Plenty of space for storing and drying firewood. There is a fireplace mantel. Side seats. |
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Project with side tables. Increased space for firewood. The location of the firebox is close to the floor |
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Project 009 |
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| Project 010 |
Choosing a place
Its effectiveness as a heating agent will depend on the correct choice of location of the fireplace in the room. Moreover, it is important to remember that a brick fireplace will not be able to constantly maintain the temperature at a certain level. This is due to its structure and the characteristics of the brick, which is distinguished by its thermal conductivity. It heats up very quickly and cools down just as quickly. These factors must be taken into account, otherwise the stronghold of heat will not cope with its function. As a rule, they are located at the end walls. This allows you to organically fit it into the interior and achieve the desired heating effect. In some cases, a brick fireplace can be placed in a corner. In this case, it is possible to simultaneously heat several rooms. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account fire safety equipment, which is a priority. Therefore, the choice of location for its installation in each specific case is best left to experienced specialists. As for the size of the room, they should be at least 11-12 m2. In addition, it must have an opening window. Only in this case can the influx be guaranteed fresh air, which will ensure safe operation.
Correct location of the hearth
Size calculation
Like any heating device, dimensions affect its thermal characteristics. Therefore, before designing it, it is necessary to determine its exact dimensions. For these purposes, a proportion of 1:50 - 1:70 is used. The volume of the room itself and the combustion opening is taken as a ratio. As for the depth of the firebox, it should correspond to the height in a ratio of 1:2 - 2:3. It should be taken into account that the back wall is made approximately 12 cm thick, and the side walls - 25 cm. By calculating these values, you can get the exact size of the future fireplace and optimally place it in the chosen location. Based on the size of the firebox, the chimney is also calculated, which should be 8-15 times smaller in diameter.
| Fireplace elements | S-12 m² | S-15 m² | S-20 m² | S-25 m² | S-30 m² | S-35 m² |
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| Portal width | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 100 |
| Portal height | 42 | 49 | 56 | 63 | 70 | 77 |
| Firebox depth | 30 | 32 | 35 | 38 | 40 | 42 |
| Height of the rear wall of the firebox | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| Firebox rear wall width | 30 | 40 | 45 | 50 | 60 | 70 |
| Smoke collector height | 57 | 60 | 63 | 66 | 70 | 80 |
| Section of a brick chimney | 14x27 | 14x27 | 27x27 | 27x27 | 27x40 | 27x40 |
| Cross section of a metal chimney | 200 | 200 | 230 | 250 | 300 | 300 |
Selection of materials
As the main building material For classic fireplace Kiln brick is used. It’s worth noting right away that such a brick must comply with certain standards, which are determined by the master immediately before using it. This process appears to be quite simple: lightly tapping a brick with a hammer produces a certain sound, by which the suitability of the building material is determined. If you build without taking this factor into account, there is a possibility of its incorrect functioning.
The mortar, which consists of clay and sand, is also important during construction. As for clay, almost any will do. But, as experienced masters say, best results can only be achieved using “red” clay. As for finishing materials, then today the choice is wide. The material for the portal can be: natural materials: various stones, wood, and “products” of progress - metal alloys and a number of other materials. In this case, it all depends on the required design.
Foundation - basis
In order for a brick hearth to serve you faithfully for many years, you need to be very careful not only in its construction. This is especially true when creating a foundation. It is how correctly the foundation is laid that will determine how stable the fireplace itself will be. Rubble stone or special waterproof brick are used as the main materials for the foundation. As a rule, the foundation is made 10-15 cm wider than the base. At the same time, it is performed separately from the foundation of the building. Thus, the impact of subsidence, both of the building itself and of the hearth, is prevented. It is recommended to use cement with an index of 400 or 500.
During the construction of the fireplace itself, the chimney must be located in the middle of the foundation. This creates a symmetrical load on the base, which prevents distortions.
Foundation diagram:
1. Soil
2. Compacted sand base
3. Geotextiles
4. Concrete preparation
5. Waterproofing
6. Monolithic concrete
7. Fittings
Care and combustion
Let's start with the fact that constant use of a fireplace causes the formation of large quantity soot that needs to be removed regularly. This applies not only to the firebox itself, but also to the chimney. Of course, you shouldn’t clean the chimney after every use, but once a year you still have to take a closer look at it. For these purposes, it is advisable to provide convenient access to its outer part at the construction stage. As for the firebox itself, it must be cleaned after each use, since the resulting soot does not have a beneficial effect on the human body. By the way, its quantity depends on what to heat with. The classic source of fire in a fireplace is wood. At the same time, it is best to use birch and avoid conifers. But, since wood is now quite expensive and requires additional storage space, owners are increasingly using coal and briquettes. Although this fuel produces more soot, it is still less “troublesome”, and it produces more heat.
Despite the fact that brick fireplaces are distinguished by the simplicity of their design, they require only a professional approach. This is due to a number of features that must be taken into account when constructing them. In addition, it is a source of open flame. Improper execution may cause a fire. Therefore, remember that building any fireplace, even the simplest one, BY YOUR OWN STRENGTH is IMPOSSIBLE!
If you want to decorate your home with a modern masterpiece that will delight you with its warmth, then the specialists of our company are always ready to help you in its construction.
Photo stages of fireplace construction
1-3 row Fireplace pedestal
4-10 row Fireplace portal
11-14 row Fireplace shelf
Video:
Many owners of private houses are thinking about how to make their home warm and cozy. For many centuries, it was believed that the heart of any home is the stove, which will warm and feed.
In our modern times the fireplace has not lost its relevance and significance, and perhaps is even gaining more love and popularity. Therefore, many people have a dilemma about how to make a fireplace with their own hands.
Of course, the process of making a fireplace with your own hands is quite complex and labor-intensive, requiring certain knowledge and skills. Therefore, this article is like a visual step-by-step instruction for making a fireplace with your own hands.
During the work process, it is very important to do everything carefully and carefully, otherwise the fireplace will not be of high quality.
Place for installing a fireplace
The place where the fireplace will be located is of no small importance. TO this issue you need to approach it very responsibly and seriously, you need to think everything over clearly and only then make an informed decision.
There can be many options; the fireplace can be installed in an extension to the wall or built inside the wall; the fireplace can also be installed in the corner of the room. It is necessary to take into account that the fireplace is harmoniously combined with the interior of the room.
Also, in addition to the fireplace, it is very important to make a high-quality chimney that will facilitate the escape of smoke from the stove; as a rule, the length of such a structure does not exceed 5-6 meters. This is very important element In the design of the fireplace, there must be reliable ventilation in the room itself.
Determining the overall dimensions of the fireplace
Of course, one standard size There is no such thing as a fireplace, each fireplace is unique, so the size is determined individually. The size of the fireplace is largely influenced by the area of the room where the fireplace will be installed.
It is very important to correctly and clearly calculate the volume of the firebox. The fact is that if the depth of the firebox is below a given limit, in this case the fireplace will significantly lose its heat output. But if the firebox has small size, this may cause smoke. Therefore, it is very important to choose the right ratio between the sizes of the firebox and fireplace.
It is also very important to decide on the size of the chimney; here you need to rely on the size of the firebox. At the same time, the cross-sectional area of the smoke hole should be many times smaller than the volume of the firebox.
Preparation of materials
For the manufacture of fireplace construction, the main material is ceramic brick, and to make a firebox it is recommended to use fireclay bricks, which are not afraid of open flames and are able to preserve long time warm.
Also during the work process you will need a special fire-resistant masonry mixture to strengthen corner elements foundation, you will need metal corners, and you will also need a chimney view.
Fireplace base
First of all, you need to dig a hole of the required size, which will serve as the foundation for the foundation of the furnace. So, first, a small amount of gravel is poured into the hole, which must be compacted well and tightly.
After this, it is necessary to lay bricks in the corners, and then fill this structure with cement mortar. At the same time, this surface must be smoothed evenly with a special polisher.
It is very important to do cement mortar, the consistency should be a little thick like sour cream. This will ensure the solution penetrates into all hard-to-reach places. After this, you need to let the prepared structure dry well for several days.
Masonry work
Masonry is the most important stage in the construction of a furnace. At this stage it is necessary to work accurately and carefully, there is no need to rush or rush.
So, before starting masonry, it is necessary to lay roofing felt in two layers on the prepared foundation base, and only after that can you begin masonry work.
For brickwork it is necessary to use a special adhesive solution for stoves, and it is recommended to additionally add wet clay to the solution.
It should be noted that the first row of bricks must be laid on edge. And then, according to the design drawing, you can carry out the rest of the fireplace structure, and after laying each row, you need to check the correctness of the laying, since then it will be impossible to correct anything. And so on until the very end.
This is done in a similar way corner fireplace with your own hands. The only difference is in the place of its installation, but the principle of operation remains the same.
Finally, special ceramic tiles or tiles can be glued onto the fireclay brick, which give the stove a stylish look and original design. All seams must be carefully sealed with a special fireproof compound for stoves.
Installation of a decorative fireplace
In city apartments, as a rule, decorative fireplaces are installed. However, if desired decorative fireplace you can do it yourself. To make it you will need any available material, for example, drywall.
The first step is to decide on the location of its installation and its size and shape. As a rule, such fireplaces do not have large sizes and they perform only a decorative function.
So, we make a fireplace from plasterboard by hand, first we cut it out of plasterboard required dimensions for the design of the furnace. After that, we fasten them together using a screwdriver and self-tapping screws.
The result is a seamless structure. After that this design install in required space and install it.
It is important to remember that drywall is a very fragile material, so it must be handled very carefully during the work process.
Then, decor must be applied to the finished form, it can be tiles, or special wallpaper with a pattern imitating real brick. Or just paint it some color. Such a fireplace can also please you for many years.
Of course, making a stove with your own hands is a very difficult and routine job, but at the same time very interesting. As in any business, certain difficulties will certainly arise that will affect the progress of the work.
Therefore, if at any stage of the work you encounter difficulties, you can look at a photo of a fireplace assembled with your own hands. Perhaps this will help solve your problem.
Photos of fireplaces with your own hands
Nowadays, the fireplace has ceased to be a vital heating structure and in most cases only serves original element interior However, the fireplace can still be considered as additional source heat, but only while it is heating. This is what mainly determines the location of its location - dachas and country houses, in which the fireplace is usually installed in a large hall.
The design and laying of a fireplace is a little simpler than that of other fireplaces (for example, stoves) and therefore it is quite possible to make a small fireplace yourself. In this article we will tell you how to build a fireplace yourself from brick.
Preparation for masonry
Before you start laying out a fireplace, you should decide in which room you will be doing it. The minimum room area required to ensure proper operation of the fireplace (without cold drafts or excessive heat) is 20 square meters. meters. In this case, the ratio of the firebox opening area to the room area should be in the range from 1:70 to 1:80.
The most popular option is to install a fireplace in a wall opening so that its back wall opens into the adjacent room.
If you lay out a fireplace near a partition made of flammable materials, you must pay attention to compliance with fire safety standards, that is, perform mandatory vertical fireproof cutting.
The next stage is the selection of fireplace drawings, which indicate all the rows of masonry (if you are a beginner, then choose a simplified option that does not require complex adjustment of bricks or laying them out at an angle).
Now you should prepare necessary materials to build the fireplace yourself:
Foundation
Since the fireplace must have its own foundation (not in contact with the foundation of the walls of the house), it must be done in advance, at least two weeks before the start of laying the fireplace. This will allow the foundation (the material of which can be not only reinforced concrete, but also rubble stone or brick) to gain the necessary strength. For a rubble, brick or rubble concrete foundation, the cement-lime or cement mortar must have a grade of at least 50.
The depth of the foundation for the fireplace should be no less than the depth of soil freezing in your area, and the geometric dimensions of the foundation in plan should strictly correspond to the shape of the fireplace, taking into account an “allowance” of 50-100 mm on all sides.
Before laying the foundation for the fireplace, you should make sure that when laying chimney will not rest against the beams of the attic or rafter system.
Let's start laying the foundation for the fireplace:
- We dig a pit of the size you need, taking into account the fact that either formwork will be installed in it (if the foundation is reinforced concrete), or work will be carried out on laying bricks or large stones. The depth of the pit should be approximately 10 cm greater than the depth of the foundation.
- Carefully compact the bottom of the pit.
- We pour small stones (gravel, crushed stone) about 10 cm thick into the bottom of the pit and compact them again.
- Further, the work process depends on the material from which the foundation will be made:
- for reinforced concrete - install the formwork, then lower the reinforcement cages into the pit and pour concrete;
- for rubble concrete - fill the bottom of the pit with a solution (20-25 cm in height), embed stones into it (with a gap of 3 cm), place more small stone, then similarly we carry out the next rows of the foundation for the fireplace.
When making the upper part of the foundation (protruding above ground level), large stones laid along the perimeter of the foundation can be used as formwork.
The foundation should not reach 14-15 centimeters to the level of the finished floor. The upper surface of the foundation for the fireplace must be flat and strictly horizontal.
Masonry
After making sure that the foundation solution has completely hardened, you can begin laying the fireplace:
- Apply a cement-sand mortar in a layer of about 2 cm along the top of the foundation and lay a layer of brick on it. Check the levelness of the surface.
- Since it can be difficult to put together a fireplace for the first time, and sometimes the masonry does not look beautiful, the finished fireplace can be plastered.
- The chimney should be laid out on clay-sand mortar, followed by plastering. At intersections with combustible floor elements, fire-proof cutting is performed.
Video
In the following video you will see how the fireplace construction process occurs:
By watching the following video, you will learn what features of air circulation in a fireplace exist and how to optimize heating using a fireplace:
