Fireplace As the Unrivaled Attribute of a Unique Interior

The fireplace is a very popular element of the interior of a country house. It is unlikely that anything else can express so clearly the individuality of its inhabitants, and nothing else is capable of delivering an indescribable pleasure. The fireplace is by no means a trivial source of heat. Much more important is its role as an unsurpassed means for emotional unloading, relieving accumulated stress, relaxation.

Wood Fireplaces

With a similar role, undoubtedly, the traditional wood burning center is the best able to cope. What can act as pacifying as the detached contemplation of the living flame that trembles under the roof ...

A purely practical wood-burning fireplace is unpretentious, safe, fuel for it is inexpensive and affordable.

Electric Fireplaces

Electric fireplaces are more decorative than practical. But they are very popular because of the simplicity of treatment and the possibility to leave them unattended.

Electric fireplaces are equipped with a fan that generates warm air circulation and regulates its temperature with a thermostat. Therefore, such devices are quite suitable for a purely functional task - additional heating of the home.

Biofireplaces

Bio fireplaces, just like electrical ones, are a decorative portal with a fireplace. However, instead of a living flame imitator, a bio-alcohol with special additives - ecologically clean fuel - burns in the hearth.

Types of fireplaces by the method of placement

Depending on the method of placement, fireplaces come in the following types:

• Front (facade);
• Angular;
• Separately standing.

The latter are much less popular due to the fact that they need a much more spacious room, while the frontal and angular can be installed in a room that is modest in size.

The device of a wood fireplace

A traditional wood-burning fireplace is laid in the process of construction, although it is possible to lay it down in an already built house, if it is possible to equip a reliable foundation. It should be able to withstand a considerable amount of brickwork and decorative finishing materials.

The latter should be mentioned separately, for the most important role is played by the appearance of the hearth.

For these purposes, all kinds of decorative materials are used, the requirement to which, in addition to aesthetics, the only thing - heat resistance.

Among such materials, decorative stone, sawn granite or marble, special mantel tiles, tiles. Sometimes ordinary tiles are used.

For firebox, natural stone or refractory brick is used. Metal foci can also be used - from steel or cast iron.

Types of wood fireplaces and their features

There are two of them:

• Classic fireplaces with an open firebox;
• Fireplaces with built-in firebox (so-called fireplace stoves).

From an aesthetic point of view, the first is much preferable. But they are somewhat less functional, since the design of their chimney does not provide a long delay of warm air in the volume of the room. In addition, for safety reasons, leaving the fireplace unattended for a long time is undesirable.

Fireplace ovens are equipped with a closed firebox and a chimney with contours along which flue gas and hot air are distributed evenly around the room. Thus, quite good heating and considerable fuel economy are ensured.

Technology of construction of a wood fireplace

It is quite simple, if you follow clearly a certain order.

1. First, the foundation is being settled - the base, then the wall is created with attractive holes, which serve for feeding fresh air into the hearth.
2. If the wall, to which the fireplace will join, is not built of heat-resistant material (wood, for example), it is necessary to provide for its thermal insulation.
3. Then the masonry itself is masonry. It can be built of special kiln bricks or assembled from prefabricated blocks, fastened together with a base and with each other by special heat-resistant cement.
4. From the bottom in the opening of the hearth is embedded a decorative grille, most often made of wrought iron.
5. It crowns the construction of a dome, later connected with a chimney. For the latter, it is also necessary to ensure a reliable thermal insulation in places where it touches with non-fireproof wall materials, ceiling and attic floors.
6. The construction of the chimney and façade decor completes the construction of the fireplace. The last "stroke" is the installation of a mantelpiece.

You can not immediately operate a folded fireplace. First, wait 3-4 weeks for the moisture in the solutions to completely evaporate. Only after this, it is possible to produce the first furnace, subsequently gradually adding the temperature load.

A modern cottage, a townhouse and, moreover, an elite mansion without an elegant fireplace are simply unthinkable.

What it will be, depends entirely on the taste and financial possibilities of the owner of the house. The main thing is to decide what is more important: simply provide heating of the home, create a unique comfort, get the opportunity to gather the whole family near the living fire ...

Perhaps the most significant will eventually be the latter.

After all, the figurative idiom "family hearth" was born not by accident, as a symbol of the unity of all those who are close and dear.