Fireplace in the interior of a wooden house

Many people think that it is impossible to install a fireplace in a wooden house due to the high fire hazard. But this is not the case. Modern construction technologies make it possible to arrange fireplaces even in wooden houses. The main thing is to comply with all safety rules.

Installing a fireplace in a wooden house is a serious undertaking. The correctness of the construction of the structure will depend on the knowledge of some of the features.

Historical material for the construction of stove fireplaces - ordinary red clay, since it is widespread in nature. The so-called raw materials or mass was made from the base, which was delivered directly from the mainland rock. The construction of an adobe massif was a small cave in which firewood was burned. With the warming up of the vault of the cave, the oven was considered useful in everyday life.

Dutch stoves of the European type came later, together with the reforms of Peter I. With their arrival, fireplaces began to appear in houses, in appearance resembling modern versions.

Back in the 19th century, to ensure the protection of wooden floors, protective screens began to be installed.

At the present stage, there are a lot of varieties of fireplaces. The furnace system, in fact, is the same; it differs only in details and dimensions.

Wooden ceilings, floors and walls are brought into a safe condition by means of protective covers. Modern rules suggest that the distance to the protection should be at least 30 cm.

Traditional bases are stone, brick, metal. Natural materials are used for decoration, ceramic cladding, marble. There is even a kind of special wood finish. It will allow you to create an object of art from the hearth.

Standard rules imply the possibility of installing a hearth in a wooden housing on the conditions of the start-up project. However, some variants of fireplaces, for example, which are attached to a vertical wall or installed permanently, are also possible in finished housing.

When erecting a structure, it is necessary to carry out thermal insulation work. For example, inside the fireplace, the wall is laid out with a metal sheet. There must be a mandatory separate independent base under the oven. Insulation is also provided around the fireplace floor in the form of ceramic tiles or metal sheets. The chimney is built only from fire-resistant materials.

If the house has several floors, then heating structures will have to be provided on each floor separately. Nevertheless, planning the structure even at the construction stage gives more opportunities to provide for all measures related to the prevention of a fire.

In general, everything related to fire requires a special attitude and increased attention.

Modern types of hearths are distinguished by the type of installation. For example, if a wall-mounted version is being mounted in a finished or under-construction housing, the chimney should be attached to a vertical that is not capable of catching fire. Block construction can be brick or ceramic tiles. Natural or artificial stone is acceptable. Adequate space must be provided for the fireplace.

A built-in fireplace cannot be built in a finished home. For this type, it is envisaged that part of the chimney and, in fact, the structure itself is built into the wall.If the device is mounted in a finished wall, then this will require the preparation of a special niche, which increases the cost of effort, and financial.

Built-in and wall-mounted fireplaces can be installed in a wooden house, and in two versions:

• angular;
• in the middle of the wall.

Corner options are distinguished by a special external effect, and also by saving space. Well suited for summer cottages.

If a wooden house is distinguished by serious dimensions, then free-standing fireplaces of decent size are installed in the center of the room. Outwardly, the structure looks like a certain elevation above the floor level.

A freestanding fireplace can also be made in two versions:

• with an open area that is not closed by anything;
• with a closed area, a fenced wall made of glass or other material.

If the site is open, then it requires the installation of a special chimney. Yet such fireplaces are considered unsafe.

The hearths of the "island" design are characterized by the originality of the design; you can choose the cassette version. One of the main design flaws is a small degree of heat transfer. These fireplaces are rarely used for space heating.

Classic solid fuel fireplaces are designed for the exclusive use of coal and firewood, therefore, strict adherence to fire safety is necessary.

Insulation of adjacent surfaces and large space for placement does not require electric fireplaces. Modern varieties perfectly imitate live fire. Many options come with an interior fireplace decoration. For the installation of an electric fireplace, neither a chimney nor a foundation is needed.

A relatively new type of device is biofireplaces. They are considered the most optimal for wooden structures. These are decorative hearths, for which ethanol is used. The fireplace is a structure consisting of a fuel tank and a ceramic burner.

Biofireplace does not produce soot, harmful substances. However, the device is unlikely to be able to heat the room, it is more often used as a decorative one.

Another variety that can be used both as a decorative option and as a means of heating is gas fireplaces. Installation of a gas fireplace is identical to the classic solid fuel version.

With use over the centuries, fireplaces have evolved from primitive devices to modern, sophisticated interiors. Fireplaces give an idea not only of the tastes of the owners, but also of the development of entire eras. The new aesthetic reality forces architects and designers to turn to different styles that have come to us from different times.

For example, the rustic architectural style literally means rough, chipped, is synonymous with everything natural. Historically, the method of rough processing of materials originated in the era of barbarism. In those days, people used such processing of stones and wood. Modern methods of processing materials for this style involve the use of serious technology. The rustic style enjoys a well-deserved popularity among those who prefer everything natural, for example, simple beams on the ceiling, antique stoves.

Baroque design originated in the 14th century and remains popular today. The main characteristic of this style is the dynamism of forms, curved lines, excessive pomp, for example, a shelf next to the fireplace, decorated with all kinds of figurines.

If the baroque design is somewhat heavy, then the rococo will be suitable for oversized fireplaces covered with marble or other luxurious materials. Rococo requires a must-have set. For example, it is customary to place a designer mirror or candelabra over the fireplace, other exquisite examples.

Simple graceful structures have found their application in the style called classicism.Clarity, harmony of dimensions, preference for straight lines, a small amount of decor, all this at the present stage is often referred to as English design.

For fireplaces, the Empire style is also often used. It is characterized by antique forms borrowed from Ancient Rome. The main features of the Empire design are columns, pilasters, cornices, stairs. The presence of antique specimens is important: sphinxes, griffins, etc.

Recently, the Russian style has become widespread in the decoration of fireplaces. The design is durable, economical and environmentally friendly. The main advantage of the Russian style is beauty, which is the best fit for a wooden house or a Russian bath. A separate firebox is required.

Modern technologies involve the construction of metal fireplaces. Metal devices are made mainly for avant-garde design. Device portals are usually decorated with intricate wrought iron ornaments. Modern iron casting is often used.

The state-of-the-art designer fireplaces match the high-tech style. This design assumes the most functional use of space. The constructions comply with the norms of technical aesthetics.

Fireplace installation, especially on the second floor of a building, should be done by professionals.

If you decide to build a fireplace with your own hands, study the basic rules:

• The fireplace cannot be placed in line with windows, also doorways. Rooms less than 20 sq m are not suitable for fireplaces.
• The first stage in the construction of a hearth in a finished house is the removal of the floor covering and the implementation of a concrete screed.
• The erection of a wall hearth requires finishing the very vertical of a non-combustible base. The classic choice is brick.

• The surface of the base made of a non-combustible base should be perfectly flat for fixing the firebox in a horizontal state, building adhesives or thermomastics are useful.
• All verticals adjacent to the hearth must be of a non-combustible base.
• A fireclay brick or a sheet of steel is desirable under the firebox. Professionals advise placing glass wool between the flooring and the base, so an air space should be preserved.
• The installed base of the hearth must not come into contact with either the firebox or the flammable base of the finish. Therefore, a frame made of reinforced concrete is created around the base. All solutions are selected according to the individual parameters of the structure.

The facing materials of the base can be:

• ceramic tiles;
• marble;
• brick;
• tiles.

Craftsmen often perform simple plastering with a simple layer of a special solution. The surface can then be painted with non-flammable paint.

A chimney made of non-combustible materials is installed to the base. The inner side of the pipe is covered with foil wool.

The fireplace is an important piece of furniture and therefore requires careful maintenance. Even the smallest non-extinguished ember will easily ignite. Fire is dangerous, but with a reasonable approach to the choice of fuel, this danger can be minimized. For example, modern fuels can be selected to contain both heat and fire. Do not use flammable liquid products for kindling.

Eliminate the occurrence of accidents during operation will be able to timely identify the shortcomings of the device:

• Clean your chimney at least once a year. For this job, you can hire a person who has received special training, the cost of such services is low.
• Do not keep flammable items near the hearth. These include family photos, artificial flowers, and other designer jewelry. When lighting the hearth, they should be at a distance that will be safe.
• Use special smoke detectors.In the event of a slight smoke, it will sound to warn the owners of the impending danger. If there are sensors, remember to check their functionality.
• Purchase a special chimney cap. It will protect the top of the chimney from snow, water and even birds getting inside.

• It is important to use special liners as an additional barrier. The tab parameters must exactly match the pipe parameters. This will protect your home from the build-up of carbon monoxide.
• For the construction of a chimney in a wooden house, it is best to use a brick. The important part is using the correct solution. Use cement with high temperature properties.

Classic fireplace built into the wall. Isolated, with a closed firebox located in the central part of the wall of the large living room. This option is suitable as a heating device. Since the firebox goes into the next room.

A fairly simple option for a corner fireplace. It saves usable space, but acts as an original interior design. In addition, such a fireplace will heat a small room.

A very safe side-by-side hearth in a wooden house. It looks organic, performs two functions at once: aesthetic and practical.

This is the hearth of the island structure. The decision is infrequent, not devoid of originality. The choice of this particular design should be determined by a carefully considered decision.

Gas fireplace. Contains a style of decoration a la wood-burning fireplace inside. For combustion products, the construction of a chimney is required.

Biofireplace for a wooden house. As you can see in the photo, this option can also be very suitable for wood interiors.

For information on how to make a fireplace with your own hands, see the next video.