The fireplace creates a cozy atmosphere in the home. Relaxing by the fireplace gives you a charge of emotions, and any conversation is more sincere, don't you agree? However, the installation of a fireplace in a wooden house should be done as carefully and thoughtfully as possible, taking into account the requirements of fire safety and the characteristics of the product itself.
Even when installing a fireplace in innovative wooden houses, there are many nuances. In particular, you need to know the type of fireplace and its features, requirements and installation procedure up to connecting to the chimney. It is these questions that we have considered in our article - the presented material will help you understand the intricacies of installing and connecting equipment to the chimney.
The content of the article:
- Varieties and types of fireplaces
- Installation Requirements
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Stages of construction of a fireplace
- Stage # 1 - Required Materials
- Stage # 2 - construction of the foundation
- Stage # 3 - assembling the fireplace itself
- Stage # 4 - chimney installation
- Insulation of walls and floors around the fireplace
- Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Varieties and types of fireplaces
Depending on the material of manufacture, fireplaces are:
- steel or cast iron;
- stone;
- brick.
Steel or cast iron. Fireplaces with a metal insert consist of a glass door. As a result, they look like both a stove and a fireplace. Such equipment is in demand due to its availability, compactness and speed of installation.
Steel or cast iron fireplaces are introduced into decorative fireplaces made of wood, stone and brick. To mask the chimney, drywall is used.
Stone rarely found in residential premises, since the installation process is quite complex and lengthy. In addition, a stone fireplace needs a special foundation. For this reason, it is recommended to install it in larger rooms.
Stove fireplaces bricks also have large dimensions and require the construction of a foundation that is separate from the base of the walls. Thanks to the unique properties and characteristics of the material, uniform and pleasant heating of the entire room is ensured.
Despite the high heat capacity of the oven brick, the fireplace must be insulated from the wall. For this, the thickness of the masonry, which is closest to the wall, must be at least 25 cm. In addition, the outer masonry is insulated from the walls of a wooden house with vermiculite, basalt wool and perlite.
Fireplaces of all sizes and types perfectly complement the interior of any living space with their sophistication, atmosphere, warmth and comfort
Depending on the fuel used, fireplaces are:
- Wood burning. For their work, real logs are used. Fuel must be prepared, a storage place must be provided. And clean the fireplace after each use.
- Gas. They can operate on main or cylinder gas. A permit is required to install gas-using equipment, and a gas service representative is required to connect. The service is extremely simple.
- Electrical. Easy to operate and move. They are powered from an outlet, but with daily use, the electricity consumption per month is considerable.
- Eco fireplaces easy to maintain and operate. They are safe, but their cost is quite high.
There are many options for placing a fireplace in a wooden house. Basically, it depends on the location and its shape.
Corner fireplaces fit perfectly into the free space in the corner of the room, helping to make the most of every square meter
By the type of location, fireplaces are divided into:
- Isolated. Most often they are installed as a separate part of the interior. Insulated fireplaces come in all shapes and sizes and are often placed right in the center of the living room because they require a lot of free space.
- Direct. They are quite popular nowadays. Can be built-in type or attached to the wall.
- Corner. Fireplaces of this type are very compact and harmoniously fit into the interior design. They come in small sizes, so it is recommended to use them in small wooden houses.
Direct fireplaces are divided into built-in and wall-mounted. Recessed are often installed between two rooms. Their power allows you to warm both rooms. As for the back-to-wall ones, they are placed against the wall and do not require a lot of space.
Installation Requirements
Before equipping a wooden house with a fireplace, you need to take into account a number of fire safety requirements. The equipment should be located at a safe distance from wooden walls and away from curtains, curtains, clothing and other flammable items and objects. Open fire and hot surfaces pose a potential safety hazard for the log house.
In addition, it is necessary to act on the basis of SP 55.13330.2016, which contains information about the relative position of various equipment and furniture in residential buildings. This set of rules emphasizes that the house must be designed to withstand the load from a factory-made fireplace. Combustion products must be discharged into the chimney.
All chimneys and chimneys are placed on the base SP 60.13330. The chimney must not pass through the living area. Its surface temperature is strictly 20 ° C lower than the ignition temperature of the material.
For the installation of the chimney, it is recommended to use materials and metal structures that have not been previously used.
A brick fireplace has a unique appearance and a simple installation process, and it also fits harmoniously into any part of the house
Stages of construction of a fireplace
After familiarization with all the requirements of fire safety and correct installation, the process of building a fireplace becomes clearer. But, in addition to this, it is necessary to take into account all the features of a wooden house and select the optimal building materials. We will consider this using the example of a brick fireplace.
Stage # 1 - Required Materials
For its construction, the following materials are required:
- Refractory and solid stove bricks, grates, door, dampers.
- Refractory materials for floor cladding (ceramic tiles, sheet metal).
- Basalt slabs, sheets of mineral insulation (with a reflective screen) for walls.
- Chimney (sandwich, ceramic or other), refractory wool.
During the construction of the fireplace, it is necessary to protect the tree from the potential fire hazard.
When all the building materials and an approximate work plan are ready, you can safely start working. However, you need to take into account your own nuances of each stage of work.
Stage # 2 - construction of the foundation
Before starting the installation of the foundation, a special place for the fireplace is prepared. It is advisable to provide for this moment even during the construction of the house. Otherwise, it is necessary to dismantle the required part of the floor covering.
Now you can start digging the pit. Crushed stone, stones and remnants of bricks are poured into the bottom. The formwork must be more than 10 cm above the floor surface.
Next, the reinforcement is mounted and the solution is poured, the surface is leveled as much as possible. It must dry and only then can you continue installing the fireplace.
Competent installation of the fireplace foundation will ensure safety in the room, therefore it is extremely important to familiarize yourself with the diagram in advance and follow the recommendations
Stage # 3 - assembling the fireplace itself
In addition to brick, for the fireplace you will also need grates, a glass or ordinary door, as well as dampers.
Brick laying should be carried out on the basis of a previously developed fireplace layout. It is optimal if a builder with experience in brickwork will do this. The use of a solution that can withstand high temperatures is recommended.
When laying fireplace bricks, there is no particular need to rush, but it is most advisable to act as carefully, carefully and slowly as possible.
Stage # 4 - chimney installation
This stage is one of the most important - a well-constructed chimney guarantees safe operation and good ventilation. Experienced craftsmen recommend installing chimneys with an outlet to the outside. Smoke must not be removed to the second floor or attic.
At the choice of materials for the chimney it is important to take into account the temperature difference inside it. Indeed, the temperature of gases sometimes reaches 400 ° C or more.
It can be a double-circuit or steel pipe (if the gas temperature is up to 400 ° C), brick, ceramic pipe, refractory glass. It all depends on the project of the fireplace and the personal preferences of the owner.
When installing the chimney, it is important to leave a gap of at least 15 cm between the chimney and ceilings. When passing through the ceilings, the chimney is additionally insulated with refractory material.
If the chimney is brick, then it is built in the same way as the fireplace itself. A mortar with high heat resistance is being prepared, and bricks are being laid according to a previously drawn up scheme. Particular attention is paid to the tightness of the structure. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the detailed chimney laying instructions.
If the fireplace is installed incorrectly, the fuel will ignite poorly, and the firebox will smoke. In some cases, improper installation can cause a fire.
When installing a fireplace chimney, it is important to leave a gap between the chimney and ceilings, which will be at least 15 cm
Even if desired, it is impossible to install a chimney that does not need constant cleaning. Over time, soot forms on its inner surface, which must be disposed of.
Insulation of walls and floors around the fireplace
For wall insulation, multilayer insulating materials are used (basalt wool with a reflective screen, sheets of non-combustible synthetic material), bricks.
Correctly executed thermal insulation is a guarantee of safety and is carried out with the help of materials such as mineral wool, foam plastic, tape tow and others.
Before proceeding with the installation of the plates, you need to mark the area around the fireplace within a radius of 75 cm. It is here that the multilayer insulation sheets are to be fastened to the metal profile.
On top of this layer, fireproof gypsum plasterboards are mounted. The slots can be sealed with foil. Then reinforcing mesh, putty and painting.
Or, the walls by the fireplace can be faced with brick, ceramic tiles, stone, if such a solution will organically fit into the design of the room.
The floor covering around the fireplace must be treated with a cladding material that can withstand high temperatures.
The space around the fireplace at a distance of 1.5 meters must be covered with cladding. What are marble, granite and ceramic tiles used for?
Facing the floor near the fireplace protects it from high temperatures, thereby preventing various types of damage
During operation, the fireplace requires constant maintenance, since where there is a fire, there is always a risk. It is important to periodically clean the chimney of the fireplace from accumulation soot, plaque.
In addition, you need to take care of the appearance of the fireplace and wipe dust from its surface.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Visual video tutorial on installing the fireplace:
To make the fireplace less hassle in the future, you need to install it correctly. It is important to take into account the norms and requirements of fire safety. In addition, each stage of the fireplace installation must be designed based on mathematical measurements and calculations. Only compliance with the instructions and all installation rules will ensure safe and comfortable operation.
Do you have any questions about the stages of installing the fireplace? Or would you like to share your personal experience of building a fireplace in a wooden house? Share your story - the comment box is located below. Also here you can ask questions to our experts and other site visitors.
