A house with a fireplace is always warm and cozy. The atmosphere seems to be filled with positive emotions, which, together with the crackling of logs and the dancing of sparks, help you to relax, forget about failures and difficulties, and feel yourself in an ideal environment for relaxation and communication with the most beloved and dear people. The fireplace decorates the house, transforms the interior, and brings notes of solidity and luxury into it. Do you think this is an expensive pleasure? Not at all, because the assortment of modern fireplaces includes very budget models, and the installation can be done by yourself.
How to Determine the Best Location Of the Fireplace
If you have already chosen the equipment that suits you in terms of all parameters, it remains to learn how to properly install a fireplace. First of all, take care of choosing the place where your new interior element will be placed.
It is most correct to place the fireplace on the first floor of the house since safety technology dictates the need for constant monitoring of the operation of the device. It is impossible to leave it in rooms where there are no people. The area of the room in which the equipment will be installed should not be less than 20 m 2.
When looking for a place to install a fireplace, consider other factors and rules:
- the equipment cannot be placed in a gap (for example, between a door and a window);
- the chimney must be arranged according to all the rules – it is better to entrust this work to specialists.
Also, consider the heat output of the fireplace – you should not install it near textiles and flammable materials. Remember the dimensions of the chosen model – it should fit harmoniously into the interior, and not create obstacles for the movement of people.
How To Install a Fireplace: Installation Features
After choosing the location of the fireplace, you can proceed directly to the installation of the equipment. Check the strength of the floor covering, and make sure that the floor will withstand the weight of the structure. If necessary, you can create a special reinforced foundation under the fireplace. When calculating the foundation, take into account the weight of all the equipment as a whole, together with the weight of the chimney.
In most cases, bricks are used to build the foundation, but in some cases, other options are possible, for example, crushed stone. Be sure to use a waterproofing material before laying. If the floor is uneven, it can be leveled with ceramic tiles. In front of the fireplace (taking into account the dimensions of the portal), equip a platform made of non-flammable material – it will serve to protect the room from embers and ashes falling on the floor, and will protect it from ignition. The size of the site should be 80 cm – 1 meter. Firewood prepared for kindling can later be placed on the same surface.
But the stove-fireplace is installed on the prepared surface – manufacturers supply the device with detailed instructions for connection. To give the equipment an attractive appearance, you can use facing with stone, brick, and tiles – materials resistant to the influence of high temperatures. The back wall must be isolated from the main wall with a special insulating material. Check all connections for tightness, and make sure that the chimney works “like a clock”, providing draft and not allowing combustion products to pollute the air in the room.
How to properly install a fireplace? Take the time to organize the smoke exhaust system. Metal pipes are used to create a chimney. The height of the structure should exceed the height of the building – the edge of the chimney will rise above the ridge of the roof.
Knowing how to install a fireplace yourself, can significantly reduce the cost of time and money. Treat this work responsibly, because the smallest nuances affect the safety of the fireplace. If it is not possible to install a fireplace yourself, contact professionals. Such services are affordable and guarantee high-quality results.