Built-in electric fireplace: a combination of classic and modern

City dwellers want to have a fireplace in their apartment to create a cozy, stylish atmosphere and as an additional source of heat. Now such an opportunity has appeared for each of us. The perfect solution in this case is to buy an electric fireplace.

An electric fireplace will replace an open flame source. The sight of a living flame in a city apartment is no longer just a dream. The imitation of fiery tongues on the wood-burning masonry will correspond to the real hearth. In the settings there is even a crackling effect of wood and light controls: increase or decrease the backlight.

Modern designs require a timer to turn off., volume and brightness control, mechanical and touch control, as well as the presence of a remote control. A steam generator that simulates the smoke effect may be present in expensive hearths. In some models, speakers and a USB output are installed, which makes it possible to connect a memory card with music files and use the fireplace as a player.

Fire imitation occurs in different ways: electromechanical, using liquid crystal technologies, steam effect, modern 3-D effects. The electromechanical principle of the electric fireplace creates more noise than other methods of simulating the effect of a flame. But the price of such devices is much lower, so they are considered the most frequently purchased.

Electric fireplaces are:

• freestanding;
• wall-mounted;
• hanging or wall-mounted;
• mini fireplaces.

The wall ones are divided into the hearth itself and the portal or framing. The shape of the fireplace can be straight or angular.

Taking into account the area of ​​the room, you can choose the required overall size of the fireplace and the comfortable heating power.

The choice of the portal also depends on the style of the room.where the appliance is to be installed. Classic, modern, hi-tech, minimalism, country or loft - the electric fireplace will fit into almost any interior.

Minimalism or high-tech involves the installation of wall and hanging fireplaces. They look like a huge rectangular screen in a metal frame and MDF lining. Strict forms without unnecessary details and ornaments fit the interior in modern interiors. The device, suspended on the wall, looks like a gorgeous TV screen. You can place the fireplace at eye level or closer to the floor.

Mini-fireplaces or tabletop models are conveniently located on any horizontal surfaces. This can be a coffee table or writing table, a chest of drawers or a bedside table. The small size and pleasant appearance of the hearth allow it to be used in different interiors. A mini-fireplace will be able to heat only small areas of the room.

Freestanding hearths look like electric ovens with the look of an open fire. The decoration of such devices is rather modest. The hearth can be carried and installed in different rooms. It can be placed, if necessary, in the center of the room, and close to the walls. Outwardly, the device is self-sufficient, and additional framing is not used here.

A fireplace can exist as a separate element, for which you need to purchase a ready-made portal or make it yourself. There is a hearth complete with a portal, otherwise a fireplace-set. The material for the finished portals is solid wood, natural and artificial stone, MDF with veneer.

Ready-made portals are made in different styles.

Most often occurs classic version with pilasters, portico, cornice, figured carving. It is made of wood or MDF covered with veneer. The massiveness and majesty of the arched structure is emphasized by an exquisite color scheme and patina effect.

Built-in fireplace country style also widely available in stores. It is framed by natural sandstone, limestone, shale or artificial stone that mimics these rocks.

The stone fireplace is also suitable for interior decoration loft style... A frame in the form of brick or masonry of various colors will fit well into it. The texture of the stone can be smooth or porous. Smooth surfaces are easier to maintain and less prone to dirt. Porous, on the other hand, can become clogged with dust over time and lose its attractive appearance.

A do-it-yourself portal for an electric fireplace made of drywall is good because, after installation, the fireplace lining can be made with various materials at your discretion. These are ceramic tiles, and plaster, and porcelain stoneware, and paint, and artificial stone, as well as decorative details in the form of stucco or mosaic. When preparing and calculating, it is necessary to understand that the hearth itself is not hidden inside the portal, but is installed overlay.

The procedure for installing the frame:

• The place should be chosen based on the amount of furniture that is supposed to be placed in a given room. The fireplace can be in the corner of the room or near the wall.
• A pre-drawn drawing with dimensions will simplify the work of making a frame with your own hands. Moreover, it is necessary to think over and draw a design drawing, calculate the dimensions of all parts, based on the dimensions of the hearth.

• If heavy materials are supposed to be used for finishing the portal case - stone, ceramic tiles, then work should be started by strengthening the pedestal on which the structure will stand. For the future podium, a durable material is suitable - such as a kitchen countertop made of artificial stone. The podium should protrude beyond the border of the portal, forming a low step. If the finish will be plaster or paint with styrofoam stucco elements, then the pedestal is optional.

• It is advisable to protect the wall behind the hearth with a heat-resistant material.
• A framing frame is made from a metal profile using self-tapping screws. It is important to leave openings behind the electric hearth for ventilation and outlet of wires.
• The resulting metal structure must be sheathed with sheets of drywall cut to the desired size. The thickness of the profile and drywall sheet must be selected taking into account the use of the planned finish. The heavier the material that will be applied to the portal, the thicker the structural details should be.

• Putty the seams, for strength it is better to strengthen the corners with metal corners.
• Level the surface of the portal and prime.
• Install the electric hearth into a niche, considering that it should be superimposed on the portal, and not buried in a recess. Then finish the portal body with the selected material. You can attract artists or finishers, or you can show your imagination and make a highly artistic work with your own hands.
• On top, you can put and fix a smooth table top made of MDF or chipboard.

When making a frame for an electric fireplace with your own hands, you can dwell on different materials. Heat resistance and heat resistance are not as important as when in contact with an open fire. The most common material for a portal is drywall. He is not capricious, almost any structure can be made from him. The big advantage of using drywall is also the low price and ease of processing.

• Safe use of such a portal is possible only after complete drying and final gluing of all parts. You will have to wait and not turn on the hearth for 3-5 days.
• It is advisable to hold the outlet and install behind the fireplace, and it is better to hide the wires inside the portal so that they do not interfere with the movement around the room.

Making a portal with your own hands will help save the family budget.

The undoubted advantages of an electric fireplace include:

• safety, especially if there are children in the house;
• absence of smoke, soot and other combustion products;
• on-off at will or need;
• regulation of heat supply, up to a complete shutdown of the thermal function;
• adjusting the brightness of the backlight and sound effects;
• heating function;
• decorative component.

Some models not only heat the room, but also humidify the air. The pluses include the fact that there is no need to install additional ventilation sources. The fireplace does not take up much space and does not require painstaking maintenance. The ability to move mobile models to different parts of the room is also a good incentive to buy a hearth.

Some portals can be used as a piece of furniture. They look like TV cabinets or dressers with drawers, shelves and hinged doors with glass. This makes the fireplace more functional and ergonomic, which is often in demand in small rooms with a minimum amount of furniture.

Caring for an electric fireplace is simple and does not take much time.

Some models of electric fireplaces look so realistic that at first glance it is difficult to distinguish them from a real wood-burning fireplace. The stores sell additional decorative elements of decor that complement the feeling of the presence of real fire. These are decorative fire boxes with layouts of logs, sets for cleaning a wood-burning fireplace: blades, brushes, tongs, decorative grate bars, fireplace protective screens in the form of a portable screen. Such items, made in different styles and placed in front of the hearth, give the electric fireplace a completely realistic look.

You should not rely completely on the electric fireplace for heating the room. It is, rather, an additional element of decor than a device for full heating of even a not very large room of 15 sq. m.

The directed stream of heated air can quickly heat up the space around the hearth. In the most intensive mode of operation, the power of the device, depending on the model, is about 1.5 kW.

The price category depends on the cost of the hearth itself and the portal. The price of the hearth can vary from 11,000 to 120,000 rubles. And the price of the portal can range from 16,000 to 100,000 rubles. Custom-made models made of natural stone or wood will cost an order of magnitude higher.

An electric built-in fireplace is available to everyone today. It will help make any room cozy and will serve as an additional source of heat in cold winters.

For information on how to choose an electric fireplace, see the next video.