Wood-burning fireplaces for summer cottages: types, sizes and shapes

Many people want to have a private house or cottage, and this is completely understandable: nature, beds, greenery, a garden are the attributes of the life that attracts. Naturally, the issue of heating in country houses is raised almost simultaneously with the acquisition or construction of this very house. After all, it should be warm, and it is desirable that it warms up quickly. Taking into account the extremely unstable supply of electricity in cottage settlements, it is better to install an autonomous device for heating the house. And if at the same time it will be possible to enjoy the play of tongues of living flame, it will be wonderful. Firewood stoves combine all these requirements.

The fireplace stove combines the best and most popular properties of several heating devices, in particular, as the name suggests, stove and fireplace advantages.

What does it mean? Ordinary wood-burning fireplaces are ineffective, they have a low efficiency, and all this is due to the fact that the overwhelming part of the heat in the literal sense of the word "flies into the chimney." That is why they are used as interior decoration, less often as a source of heating. Of course, it cannot be denied that the flame dancing in the hearth is a very attractive sight, adding comfort to the house. As for wood-burning stoves, they are more efficient and can be used as the main source of heating. However, their appearance and design is unattractive and unattractive.

The wood-burning fireplace stove combines the aesthetic appeal of the fireplace with the efficiency of the heating properties of the stove. This is a factory-installed product installed directly on the floor. Either bent sheet steel or cast iron is used for its manufacture. The design resembles a sauna heater, but it does not have a stone compartment. The cladding can be very different, respectively, it is possible to choose a fireplace stove for any style of interior.

Wood-burning fireplaces act like a heater. The coolant is air that rises upward when heated, respectively, cold air masses go down. These are the so-called cassette oven devices. This kind of convection does not always work naturally; in some models, forced automation is used in order to regulate the intensity of the fire.

In long-term combustion systems, after ignition occurs, the oxygen supply stops there, and the wood continues to smolder in the afterburner. In this way, uniform heat dissipation can be achieved for up to 8 hours in a row.

There are several advantages of a wood-burning fireplace over a gas one:

• they are cheaper;
• more environmentally friendly;
• less money will be spent on fuel and its payment. Gas is not suitable in this regard, since the amount of utility bills can be very impressive.

According to the material from which they are made, wood-burning fireplaces-stoves can be:

• metal (steel or cast iron);
• brick;
• combined, in which brick and metal are combined.

You can also divide them according to the way the room is heated:

• by means of air convection heating;
• through the water circuit.

The most common stoves are made of steel or cast iron with an impressive fire-resistant glass door for fire-resistant glass, allowing you to watch the fire.However, there are also brick structures in which, as it were, a fireplace and a heating stove with a smoke circulation are connected. Also on the market are combined (hybrid) fireplace stoves made of metal and brick, and they either look like a brick body and a metal firebox, or a metal stove, lined with brick inside or finished with stone outside.

Speaking about the advantages of fireplace stoves, the following must be said:

• the main thing is the use of environmentally friendly fuel;
• aesthetically pleasing appearance;
• they are easy to mount;
• high efficiency;
• compactness that allows them to be placed even in the smallest room;
• various cladding options will allow the stove to fit into any interior style;
• budgetary installation and installation of the chimney;
• durability and reliability of the structure.

It is not entirely true to speak about the shortcomings as such, after all, in their group, fireplace stoves have practically no competitors. So it's better to call it conditional cons:

• uneven distribution of heat in the room - the higher, the warmer;
• inability to keep the air in the room warm for a long time;
• small thermal capacity - cooling occurs almost immediately after the firebox stops;
• burning with coal is impossible, only dry wood. Coal can damage stove parts. In addition, the room needs a place for placing firewood;
• the more high-tech the oven is, the more expensive it is;
• effective heating is possible only in the room where the fireplace stove is located, if the model does not have a water circuit.

Most of the models on the fireplace stove market are long-burning models. Basically, they all run on wood, but there are those that can heat a room by burning coal. A coal-fired fireplace stove is very economical, because coal only needs to be laid once every 24 hours.

Metal stoves most often made of steel or cast iron. Their furnace door is quite large, the material for it is glass-ceramic or fire-resistant glass. This type of fireplace stoves heats the room by means of heat radiation and air convection (cassette insert), and if the stove device is connected to a water-heating system, then by means of a water circuit. And it is a stove device with a water circuit that is best suited if it is the main source of heating, because then you can heat several rooms at once or the entire house.

The chimney of metal stove devices can go up or be located at the back. The second variation is the most aesthetically pleasing; moreover, it allows you to connect the device to a chimney in the wall.

The cast iron structure is more resistant to the destructive effects of the environment and is more inert, but it can easily suffer from mechanical shock. In addition, due to the fact that its walls are thicker, it is much heavier than steel.

In some cases, a lining is made, that is, laying out the firebox of a fireplace-stove inside with a fire-resistant brick or tiles from this brick. Then there is an increase in the resource and inertness of the furnace: it will heat up longer, but it will also retain heat for a longer time. For the same purpose (heat preservation), metal fireplaces are trimmed from the outside with tiles or natural stone.

The advantages of metal fireplaces-stoves are as follows:

• relatively compact size, i.e. they are suitable for use in small houses;
• they are mobile, portable - they can be moved to another room, provided it is possible to connect to the chimney;
• a wide selection of different types of design;
• they are economical, since most models have not only the main combustion chamber, but also an additional one, where afterburning takes place, this increases the efficiency of the fireplace-stove;
• some of the models can be connected to the water heating system.

In addition to metal furnace devices, can be used and brick options... Their device is such that both a fireplace insert with a straight chimney and an oven insert with smoke flows are installed in the body. Such structures are heated in turn, the valves overlap one or the other part of the fireplace stove. As a rule, these devices are used as heating stoves in winter, and as a fireplace in other seasons.

A brick structure heats up much more slowly than a metal one, but it also cools down more slowly. Their device provides for the possibility of placing a heat exchanger for water heating, then it will heat several rooms. For the construction of a brick fireplace, a foundation is required.

Combined fireplaces-stoves in another way they are called embedded. The base of such a device is a metal firebox, open or closed with a fire-resistant glass door. This firebox is built into a brick body, which is laid out so that air has access to the outer surface of the firebox, and a convector was used as a method for heating the air.

The combined convector device can also be connected to a hot water heating system, then its design should initially be with a heat exchanger. Such furnace devices require the construction of a foundation, and also take up quite a lot of space.

Also, the design of the fireplace stove may include such functions as:

• water circuit;
• hob.

If the firebox at the fireplace stove is open, then the air warms up rather quickly. And if this oven device is equipped with a hob, then you can cook food on it. The BBQ fireplace will allow you to enjoy grilled meat whenever your heart desires. And you can even put a brazier near the stove.

There is another classification of fireplace stoves - by location:

• central;
• facial;
• arbitrary;
• angular - symmetrical and not.

You can also divide them into:

• built-in - they are mounted immediately during the construction of a house;
• wall-mounted - located along the windowless wall.

The most common one is a wall-mounted fireplace-stove, its back wall is installed close to the wall of the house. It can be of any size - from compact to huge; of various shapes - from straight to protruding. Often it is decorated with a portal, which adds sophistication and originality to the interior.

Corner fireplace stoves can be mounted in two ways:

• on two sides of the outer corner;
• one corner diagonally across two walls.

The first type of installation is good in a room with a large area and original layout features. The second takes up very little space and fits well everywhere, even in the smallest room.

As for metal fireplaces-stoves, they all have the so-called potbelly stove in their prototype and are being improved on its basis. Brick oven devices are more multivariate. There are four most common types: Russian, Dutch, Swedish and Finnish. There are also fireplace stoves that bear the names of their creators, for example, Kuznetsov's stove.

Briefly speaking about the materials for the manufacture of fireplace stoves, then brick structures are more expensive, heavier and take up more space, while cooling down longer; metal (made of cast iron, steel, iron) are more compact, cheaper, more mobile, but they need to be constantly heated, they cool quickly.

The advantages and disadvantages of separate brick structures and separately metal structures were discussed in detail, let us dwell on combined furnace devices, which combine a cast-iron or steel body with a brick finish. Or vice versa - the iron structure is lined with refractory bricks inside. They also have a number of advantages:

• Combined fireplace stoves allow you to quickly warm up - immediately after the firebox has started, it becomes warm.
• Their efficiency is higher than that of brick counterparts. Best of all are those furnace devices in which a long-term combustion system is mounted.
• There is an automatic device to regulate the calorific value. For brick fireplace stoves, this is still a story from the realm of fantasy.
• They are much safer than open-hearth structures.

• There are models equipped with burners, water tanks.
• You do not need to use water as a heat transfer fluid.
• They are not in any way connected with energy supply, therefore, they do not depend on it.
• Ergonomic and small-sized structures. A very wide range of models.
• Can be placed on the floor without a foundation.

The size of the fireplace stove depends, first of all, on the material from which it is made. If we talk about a brick structure, then the word "small" does not fit it in any way. The same can be said about the combined fireplace stove - the most compact of them weigh at least 80 kg.

However, there are also mini fireplaces-stoves. They are made of cast iron or steel and are available for cladding with all sorts of materials, such as ceramic tiles, majolica or natural stone.

An inexperienced buyer may get confused in choosing a fireplace-stove for heating a country house, because there are a huge number of heating devices on sale. To avoid mistakes when purchasing a fireplace stove, you need to analyze the assortment on the market, and also decide on a model that is suitable in all respects.

In order for the stove device to fit perfectly into the interior of a small cottage or a country house, you need to correctly calculate a number of parameters:

• Furnace size and power. The larger the room that needs to be heated, the higher both indicators should be. If you try to cheat and save money, the oven device will overheat and break.
• The efficiency of the device. The higher the indicator, the less fuel will be consumed and over-consumed. Less than 60% is unacceptable.
• The types of fuels differ for different model ranges of furnace devices. Before buying, you definitely need to clarify what type is used in the vending model: coal, wood or peat in briquettes.
• The speed of heating the air in the room depends on what the fireplace stove is lined with. Stoves with a ceramic or stone body retain heat best of all, but remember that they take longer to warm up.
• The diameter of the pipe determines how safe the structure will be: if the chimney is narrow, all the fumes will come out into the room. It must be remembered that for 1 kilowatt of power you need 8 cm2 of cross-section.

In addition, when purchasing an oven device, it makes sense to heed the following recommendations:

• Place the oven device at a safe distance from easily combustible objects. This can be from 20 cm to 1 m. The recommended distance should be indicated in the instruction manual.
• The diameter of the chimney must be calculated. If there is no chimney, you must definitely buy it.
• A steel floor plate should be placed in front of the oven. This is necessary so that sparks flying out of the fireplace do not spoil the flooring and do not provoke a fire.
• It is better to purchase models in which you can replace refractory bricks or cast iron plates in the firebox.

• Before buying, it is imperative to check how well the device is equipped: whether the glass door fits snugly to the hole in the firebox, whether there are leaks around the perimeter of the fit, whether the body and internal compartments are deformed, whether there is thermal insulation on the adjustment knobs and the handle, and whether they open and close freely moving parts.
• All required certificates must be included with the device. We are talking about a fireman, a manufacturer's certificate and a hygienic certificate.
• You also need to make sure that the product has a guarantee, and clarify which cases are guaranteed and where it is fixed.

If you decide to create a fireplace stove yourself, you need to decide on the material from which the work will be done.

Heat-resistant brick requires a clear definition of the place where it will be located, since the furnace device from it must be placed on the foundation. It is better, of course, to decide on the location before building a house, then the foundation can be laid immediately.

If the house was built before the thought of installing a fireplace stove arose, you can build it into the finished building. However, you need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to disassemble parts of the roof and floor.

You should heed a number of installation recommendations:

• The structure will turn out to be massive and heavy. The lightest and smallest brick fireplace stove weighs more than 600 kg. Therefore, it is very important to lay a solid foundation under it.
• A lot of space for a fireplace-stove will be required.

You need to start the construction of a fireplace stove from a base about a meter deep. At the bottom of the dug hole, a waterproofing gasket is laid out - roofing material folded in half. To fix the masonry, a clay solution is used. The brick must be pre-soaked. Otherwise, it will take water from the clay solution. Do not put bricks at random. The order is carried out in accordance with the project and the type of the selected structure: corner, built-in, wall-mounted fireplace stove.

If the fireplace stove is planned to be built of metal, then the potbelly stove, known to everyone and everyone, should be taken as a sample. Such a device will easily fit into the style of a country house.

The chimney can be installed both outside the house and inside it. With self-installation, be sure to pay attention to the fact that the chimney is fireproof.

An indoor chimney has a better draft. Since it is in an upright position, soot settles less on its walls. It also produces less condensation. If the chimney is located outside, then a metal pipe will stick out along the wall. There will be more condensation and the draft will clog up more often. In addition, during the winter period, the pipe will cool down faster.

Step-by-step plan for installing a brick fireplace stove:

• Drawing up a drawing.
• Preparation of the necessary materials and tools. The number of bricks, for example, depends on the size of the room to be heated.
• Pouring the foundation. This is done with concrete in a ratio of 1: 3: 1 (one part of sand and cement, three parts of gravel). Further, reinforcement occurs, for this a masonry mesh is used. After that - digging in asbestos piles 1 meter long. They need to dig in at least five. At the end of the pouring, the base should be at least 3 rows of brickwork below the floor level.
• It is much better to lay out each row dry, without mortar, before laying. Even experienced stove-makers do it. Firstly, this will allow you to determine the exact number of bricks in the rows, and secondly, it will clarify the layout.

• The first row must be laid out very evenly, because it is thanks to it that the direction of the walls of the structure is set. In the second row, air channels, a fireplace insert and a blower chamber are already visible.
• Rows 1-20 are laid with white silicate bricks, then red refractory bricks are used. The layout should be done in strict accordance with the scheme.Horizontal and vertical control is carried out using a plumb line and level. There should not be any gaps or gaps. Especially carefully you need to lay out the chimney, in the place where it passes through the ceiling, insulation should be laid.
• As soon as the construction of the fireplace stove body is completed, it is necessary to install a heat exchanger (water heater) in the firebox, as well as a fire-resistant glass door.
• Now you need to move on to drying. For this, several small test furnaces are made. After the control firebox, you can start finishing, if it was planned.

For information on how to lay a fireplace stove with a glass door, see the next video.

Russia is represented on the market of fireplace stoves by a group "Meta" - one of the leading manufacturing companies. The products are assembled in accordance with European industrial standards from quality components sourced from overseas. All manufactured models are subject to strict multi-stage control. The quality of our products is constantly improving. The lineup is very extensive, which will allow everyone to choose the right option for everyone.

Russian stoves and fireplaces are also manufactured by the company "Ecostof" under the brand name "Bavaria"... The equipment on which the production is carried out is supplied from Germany, the company has been operating since 2007. Stoves and fireplaces "Ecostof" are ideal for heating summer cottages - places where people do not live on a permanent basis. Bavaria models are quite powerful, heat well and use firewood economically. The efficiency of the furnace devices averages 78%. It is also important that the combustion chamber in Ecostof models is easy to clean.

Another domestic manufacturer - Feringer. The lineup of the company is modern and does not lose its relevance, although it is not large. The advantage is the low cost of products, as well as the presence of a hob.

One of the most honored manufacturers on the market is the company Narvi. It has been manufacturing sauna and bath equipment since 1936. Some devices in their lineup have no analogues among the products of other companies. Design and production is concentrated in Finland. The experience accumulated over decades allows us to hone the smallest nuances in the manufacture of our products every year.

Norwegian manufacturer Jotul specializes in the production of stoves and fireplaces from cast iron. The quality and safety of the company's products are above all praise. In addition, the lineup is represented by both traditional stove devices and designer ones. Jotul has been on the market for over 150 years and has an impeccable reputation. Any interior will only benefit if you add a Jotul fireplace as a detail.

Another of the leaders among manufacturers of heating products is an Italian company La Nordica. The company is constantly expanding its model range and improving the production process. The choice of goods that La Nordica offers to the consumer is truly huge - from flowers to models.

Serbian manufacturer Guca - number one in the market of its country. It also occupies one of the leading positions in the world market. The relentless improvement in production is the way Guca has achieved this. The company spends a large amount of funds on technological research, which allows to improve the quality of manufactured products. The Guca models are up to 84% efficient. Consumer reviews about the company's products are only positive.

Another Serbian manufacturer - Tim Sistem. Specialization - ovens and stoves. The company's models are environmentally friendly and economical. As for Koper kilns, the manufacturer is focused on improving the secondary combustion system. This increases the efficiency of the furnaces up to 78%. The afterburning of flue gases helps the combustion to be clean and reduces the emission of soot. Thus, the costs of maintaining the chimney are reduced and the service life of the device is increased.

• The "semi-antique" stove-stove with a chimney-column looks very stylish.
• A metal stove with a hob is functional and beautiful.

• The lined fireplace stove perfectly complements the interior.
• The cast iron construction does not look heavy at all.