September 8 2022

Wood-burning fireplaces for home: a stylish accent in a country interior

Until recently, it seemed that fireplaces were a thing of the past. They stayed only in the homes of wealthy people or met on the pages of design magazines, where foreign interiors were described. However, the situation gradually changed, and gas, electric or wood-burning fireplaces for the house returned to suburban cottages and even to the apartments of ordinary citizens.

The fireplace in the living room creates a unique atmosphere of warmth and comfort

Wood-burning fireplaces for home: design features

Due to some of its features, wood-burning fireplaces were able to register only in private, most often suburban, households. This is primarily due to the fuel used in wood-burning fireplaces. Its use in an apartment is impossible due to non-compliance with fire safety requirements. Plus, too much space is needed to store logs. But in a private house, especially a country house, a wood-burning fireplace will help create a unique atmosphere of home comfort, will become an additional source of heat and even a hearth for cooking.

Modern wood-burning fireplace

The fireplace, in fact, is an oven with a straight chimney and an open firebox. The furnace and the chimney are the main parts of the design of any fireplace. It is in the furnace that fuel is burned (in this case, firewood and coal for kindling), which ensures the functioning of the entire heating device. The chimney in the form of a vertical pipe does not just bring out gorenje products, but is also responsible for the draft.

In addition to these mandatory parts, other elements may be present in the fireplace design:

smoke collector (a special chamber above the open furnace, which is responsible for the smooth discharge of gases into the pipe);

The main components of the fireplace device are a firebox and a chimney

portal (the front decorative part of the fireplace, which, depending on the style, may have a different, for example, U-shaped or D-shaped, shape);
cast-iron grate on which logs are stacked;
ash pan designed for collecting ash;
a smoke tooth located on the back wall of the fireplace and protecting the dwelling from the penetration of smoke, as well as cold air outside.

The fireplace, lined with stone, looks unusual and stylish

Modern wood-burning fireplaces for cottages and country houses are made not only of stone and brick, but also of metal, for example, cast iron. The design of a wood-burning cast-iron fireplace for the house is somewhat different from the one described above. In addition to the furnace (in this case, it is manufactured industrially from cast iron) and the chimney, there are:

portal made of fire-resistant material (metal, brick or marble);
radiator;
doors (they are often made of special fire-resistant glass, on which soot and fumes do not settle).

The fireplace is an oven with a straight chimney and an open firebox

It’s interesting! As a rule, fireplaces are only an auxiliary heat source due to very low efficiency – only 5-20%. However, individual cast-iron fireplaces may well independently heat a small house, because their efficiency reaches 70-80%.

A big plus of cast-iron fireplaces is their resistance to temperature changes, so that they do not give in to deformation.

In specialized stores there is a large selection of fireplaces for every taste and purse. In order not to get confused in all this diversity, it is worth getting acquainted with their main types.

The device of a modern fireplace: 1 — air intake; 2 — fireplace portal; 3 — fireplace insert; 4 — thermally insulated jacket; 5 — air circulation in the jacket; 6 — fireplace lining; 7 — thermal insulation of the wall; 8 — traction regulator (gate); 9 — chimney; 10 — air outlet; 11 — thermal insulation of the ceiling; 12 — thermal insulation of the chimney; 13 — thermal chamber; 14 — decompression hole

The main types of fireplaces for a country house, their pros and cons

Depending on the design features, closed, semi-open and open fireplaces are distinguished.

Closed (English) fireplaces

The recessed firebox of such fireplaces and the chimney are built into the outer or inner wall of the building. Therefore, they are also called embedded. The main advantage of closed fireplaces is their compact size, which allows them to be installed even in small rooms.

English fireplace in the living room interior

However, the arrangement of such a fireplace should be provided for by the project at the planning stage of the building, since it will require sufficient wall thickness. In addition, such a fireplace significantly reduces the strength of the building wall, which must also be taken into account during construction.

Wood-burning fireplace of the closed type for the house

Useful advice! If the thickness of the walls does not allow the fireplace to be built in completely, it can also be placed in the interior wall. This will allow at least a little to reduce the area occupied by it. In this case, the back wall of the fireplace will be located in the next room. It can be hidden behind a false wall, and the fireplace will heat two rooms.

The arrangement of an English fireplace should be provided for by the project at the planning stage of the building

Semi-open or attached fireplaces

Such a fireplace is not connected with the construction of the wall. It is attached to it, leaving open one or two side walls of the fuel tank. Its efficiency is less than that of the previous type, but due to the design features, it spreads heat over a large area. Most often there are semi-open corner and wall fireplaces.

Wood-burning stoves for cottages: a variety of designs. Classification, purpose and features of furnaces. Recommendations on product selection, installation types. Advantages and disadvantages of furnaces, their types.

Wood-burning corner fireplaces for the house allow you to competently use the empty space in the corners of the room and additionally heat adjacent rooms. A wood-burning corner fireplace can be installed on the outer corner (this is suitable for spacious rooms with a non-standard layout). In this case, the fireplace will seem to diverge in two directions.

Semi-open fireplace, lined with stone

In the second case, a corner fireplace (photos on the Internet, as a rule, illustrate this option) is installed in the usual inner corner of the room. Such a fireplace visually connects the walls diagonally and takes up very little space, which makes it indispensable in small rooms. Shelves or even recesses are often attached to it on the sides, in which seats are equipped.

A wall-mounted fireplace is a traditional option

Wall fireplaces are considered the most traditional. A more common option is when the fireplace is attached to the wall with the back side. This is due to the versatility of the model, because it is ideal for both spacious and small rooms. Such a fireplace can have the same dimensions over the entire height, or it can taper upwards and have protrusions.

A less common option is when the end of the fireplace is attached to the wall. This design divides the space into functional zones. As a rule, it is equipped with a metal through or closed furnace.

A wood-burning corner fireplace allows you to use the space correctly and contributes to additional heating of adjacent rooms

Open or island fireplaces

Open fireplaces do not touch the walls in the room, and their firebox is open from all sides. The materials used for their manufacture are very diverse. It can be a ready-made metal fireplace or a brick fireplace (photos on the Internet demonstrate both options). An open fireplace is located on light supports or a suspended structure in the middle of the room. Due to its originality, such a heating device often becomes the main design element.

An open fireplace is only suitable for rooms with a large area

However, it also has certain, very significant drawbacks. An open fireplace is suitable only for large rooms with high ceilings, it is extremely flammable, and the weight of the suspended structure places increased demands on the strength of the fasteners. In addition, it has the lowest efficiency and is not able to warm up the room even a meter away from itself.

The island fireplace serves as a key element of the living room design

Different styles of fireplaces in the living room interior: photo examples and the best ideas

The most common of all types is considered a classic fireplace. As a rule, it is built into the wall, and its portal has a U-shaped shape. It is distinguished by simple and clear lines, symmetry, can be decorated with bas-reliefs, false columns or ornaments. Often such a fireplace is equipped with a mantelpiece, on which vases, candlesticks, figurines, photographs are usually placed. Marble, granite, natural stone are used for its decoration, and forged lattices are used as additional decorations.

The fireplace harmoniously complements the interior of the living room, decorated in a classic style

Numerous photos of living rooms with a fireplace in a classic style show how important it is that the interior of the room corresponds to such a fireplace. The room should be decorated in restrained, harmoniously matched colors and complemented with classic furniture.

Fireplaces in rustic style, or in country style, most often have a D-shaped shape, and medium or small size. The furnace (usually metal) is located in the center, there is a special niche for firewood at the bottom, and the side parts sometimes look like banquettes. An indispensable attribute of such a fireplace is a wooden beam above the furnace, on which various trinkets are exposed.

Wood-burning fireplace in rustic style

Very often there is a casing over the fireplace in a rustic style. However, it rarely has practical significance. The rustic style is characterized by wall-mounted or corner fireplaces made of brick (photo examples can be found on any design website). Sandstone or shell rock is used for the design of the portal.

Useful advice! Natural materials tend to accumulate dust, so it is not easy to maintain them in their proper form. Alternatively, natural porous materials can be replaced with artificial stone (for example, edelrock).

Cozy living room with a wood-burning fireplace of classic design

A rustic interior should be simple and modest. Simple wooden furniture, wicker armchairs and chairs, colorful upholstery and stylish unpretentious hand-made – this is the best frame for a rustic fireplace.

The loft style, which became popular in the 60s and 70s, is characterized by high ceilings, spacious rooms, unpainted brick walls and rough wooden floors. Minimalist solutions are also typical for fireplaces made in this style. Metal island fireplaces with glass doors will perfectly fit into such an almost industrial interior.

Modern fireplaces will perfectly fit into interiors decorated in such styles as loft or modern

It is important to remember that the loft does not imply a cozy family atmosphere. This means that there should be a minimum of furniture and a maximum of free space in the premises.

Minimalism in general is also characteristic of modernity. However, unlike the previous style, Art Nouveau requires absolutely smooth lines, attention to detail, well-chosen forms and competent, often based on contrast color solutions. Fireplaces of laconic shapes and colors, including those made of metal and glass, are suitable for interiors in this style.

Wood-burning fireplace in the living room of a country house

High-tech fireplaces are made of polished or textured steel, chrome, fire-resistant glass and plastic. They can have different shapes – rectangular, round, elongated, and glass doors will allow you to watch the play of fire, which will add a touch of warmth to the interior. Often in such fireplaces, only the back wall remains opaque, although usually the fireplace is through with glass panels and is used to divide the space into functional zones. Despite the apparent simplicity, high-tech fireplaces are often exclusive, custom-made copies and are not cheap.

A wood–burning fireplace of modern design is a great option for a high-tech living room

How to make a fireplace with your own hands: step-by-step instructions and useful tips

Despite the large assortment of fireplaces presented in hardware stores, many prefer to make a fireplace with their own hands. Photos, numerous video instructions and stone laying schemes can be found on the Internet. In general, they give a clear idea of the progress of the work.

The most correct thing would be to entrust such a responsible matter to a specialist. Those who have decided on independent construction should remember the importance of the stage of preparation for the start of work.

A simple version of the order of the fireplace made of bricks

Special attention should be paid to the drawings. They need to show the view of the fireplace from different angles – straight, from above, from the side and in the section. Detailed diagrams will not only avoid mistakes during construction, but also help to correctly calculate the required amount of material.

The next important step is to calculate and build the foundation. The basis of the future fireplace should be very reliable. It is important to remember that the foundation for the fireplace and the foundation for the walls cannot be the same, because they carry different loads. Accordingly, the shrinkage will also be different.

A brick fireplace built with your own hands

For this reason, it is necessary to leave a 5-centimeter gap between the base of the fireplace and any other foundation and fill it with sand.

The foundation for the fireplace should exceed the width of the fireplace table by at least 5 cm, and its depth should be at least half a meter. For the foundation, you can use gravel, crushed stone, brick, fastening them with lime-cement or cement mortar.

The process of building a wood-burning fireplace

Next, you need to work out the scheme in detail and install the chimney. The process of chimney construction varies depending on the material. The best option is considered a brick. For him, the installation process consists of the following stages: foundation, ordination, mortar composition, mop, head and smoker.

When installing the chimney, it is worth remembering about thermal expansion, which can break the tightness of the channel during its operation.

Scheme of an English fireplace with a straight chimney: 1 — fireplace portal (front wall); 2 — air circulation chamber (smoke collector); 3 — fireplace hearth; 4 — protective platform; 5 — fireproof hearth lining; 6 — red solid brick; 7 — firebox geese; 8 — hole for cleaning; 9 — gate (flap); 10 — chimney; 11 — metal corners of the frame

Before starting work, it is necessary to determine the number of construction and finishing materials, as well as the design of the heating structure.

Useful advice! The best option for self-construction is a wall fireplace. It can be erected in an already residential building, and this does not require breaking the integrity of the capital walls or making changes to the building plan. Another successful solution will be the installation of a finished cast-iron fireplace.

Closed-type fireplace in the living room interior

Do not ignore step-by-step instructions, photo examples and professional advice in the process of installing a fireplace with your own hands, because they can significantly reduce the construction time and help build a safe and functional heating device.

Advantages of wood-burning stoves-fireplaces for giving long-term gorenje

Recently, wood-burning stoves-fireplaces for cottages have become popular. Depending on the functions, there are stoves-fireplaces for heating, cooking and with a water circuit for heating. They may differ in material, purpose, size, power and shape.

Stoves on long gorenje wood are rapidly gaining popularity among the owners of cottages

Such devices are extremely aesthetic, practical and at a price much more affordable than standard fireplaces. However, they also have a disadvantage that makes them related to the latter. Stoves-fireplaces can only be an auxiliary source of heat. They will not compete with either solid fuel or gas boilers. Another disadvantage is significant fuel consumption, however, it is less than in the case of wood–burning stoves.

Stove-fireplace made of metal in a country house

Stoves-fireplaces have a number of undeniable advantages. They allow the owners of cottages not to depend on electricity (as in the case of an electric boiler), the timing of the supply to the site of gas utilities. And although stoves-fireplaces serve only as an auxiliary heating device, they will become a real find in the cold with gas supply interruptions: they will protect the house from cold, the heating system from freezing, and the owners from unnecessary expenses.

Modern wood-burning fireplaces are made not only of stone and brick, but also of metal

Useful advice! Firewood for stoves-fireplaces can be bought in the summer, during the period of least demand, which means that you can save significantly.

Stoves-fireplaces for a country house are easy to install and do not require specific knowledge and lengthy approvals, They are inexpensive and will last for many years, heating the house and bringing aesthetic pleasure to its residents.

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