This question is of interest to home craftsmen who decide to lay a stove or fireplace. It is also very relevant for everyone who has stove heating in the house. Finishing the hearth with simple plaster does not have a high aesthetics and after a dozen years of operation it needs to be replaced.
Of course, cracks and peeling of the finishing layer can be repaired. However, after such a procedure, the stove does not look the best and after a short time it starts to crack again.
We will tell you how to line a stove or fireplace so that they look great, give off heat well and do not require repairs for a long time.
The choice of materials for lining the stove or fireplace
There is no fundamental difference in the finish of these heating structures. Everything that is lined with a stove is suitable for a fireplace. But the requirements for finishing materials in both cases are quite specific:
- High thermal stability;
- Good thermal conductivity (thermal output);
- Mechanical strength;
- Strong adhesion to the solution;
- Aesthetic look.
You do not have to invent a new type of cladding. The practice of furnace business offers many options for performing this work and materials for its implementation.
Professional craftsmen use the following materials for finishing stoves and fireplaces:
- Brick;
- Ceramic tiles (terracotta or majolica);
- tiles;
- Natural stone (marble, basalt, sandstone, slate, granite).
In recent years, artificial stone and soapstone have joined them.
brick cladding
If you are satisfied with the aesthetics of ceramic bricks, then use this material for cladding. The most difficult question is that the protection of the heated surface from cracks does not arise in this case. Brick cladding stands on a common furnace foundation and does not require the use of a reinforcing mesh.
Finishing the stove in the house with the help of facing bricks can be carried out simultaneously with masonry. This material is also well suited to improve the appearance of an existing structure. Contrasting colors and curly details nicely transform the look of an ordinary stove.
The beauty of the brick lining of the fireplace is not inferior to expensive marble or granite.
Brick finish is well suited for metal stoves. Here, between the steel hull and the brick lining, a ballast bed of dry fine sand is used. It protects the masonry from the deforming expansion of hot metal and transfers thermal energy well.
Ceramic tiles - option for soft heating
Glazed ceramic tiles are a very popular and inexpensive way of lining stoves and fireplaces. The only limitation for this material is the surface heating temperature. The tile does not have powerful hooks and locking joints to resist thermal deformation. Therefore, do not place it on stoves that get very hot during operation. For fireplaces (weak heating of the facade), it fits optimally.
Ceramic clinker tiles are an excellent "imitator". With it, you can "create" any kind of finish: brick, tile, wood, granite or marble.
For those who are looking for an original and inexpensive solution for facing a fireplace or stove, we advise you to try a combination of decorative bricks and ceramic tiles.
The combination of smooth and rough texture, dark and light tones will give the hearth a pleasant charm and charm.
Tiles - the experience of centuries
Furnace craftsmen have been looking for a way to protect the finish from temperature deformations for a long time, until they came up with tiles. In fact, this is an ordinary clay tile, but of a special “volumetric configuration”. On the back side of the tiles there are special protrusions - rumps. They serve to connect the tiles to each other and to connect with the array of masonry.
The laying of tiles is carried out simultaneously with the construction of a stove or fireplace, row by row. This results in a strong self-supporting wall. It is connected with the main masonry by wire "antennae" laid in the seams between the bricks.
Tiled tiles are connected to each other with steel clips-hooks. They are connected with the brick wall of the furnace not only by wire, but also by the mortar laid in the ramps and in the space between the tiles.
The technology of tiling is different from the usual stove finish. First, they put a row of tiles, fix them together and clog the rumps with clay mortar. Only after that, a brick wall of the furnace is laid close to them.
The richness of decor and colors of stove tiles is amazing. Therefore, finishing with this material is often equated with high art.
Natural and artificial stone
Natural stone meets all the requirements for the decoration of stoves and fireplaces. It withstands high temperatures, has a dense fine-grained structure and therefore transfers heat well. This material is exceptionally durable and environmentally friendly.
Beautiful texture and natural colors are the undoubted advantages of stone tiles. The only disadvantage of natural material is the high price. Home craftsmen today have an economical alternative in the form of artificial stone. It is technological in finishing and is not inferior to natural in terms of heat resistance, strength, beauty and environmental friendliness.
The manufacture of artificial stone is not associated with laborious cutting, grinding and polishing. Modern technologies for pressing and firing clay make it possible to obtain complex figured elements that are not inferior in appearance to expensive products made of natural stone.
Thanks to the creation of heat-resistant mastics, finishing a fireplace with stone has become easier and does not require the use of embedded parts. Therefore, it is actively mastered by home craftsmen who want to compete on equal terms with eminent masters.
Soapstone - sounds beautiful, but is it profitable?
A well-organized marketing company works wonders. Therefore, today rave reviews about soapstone are heard everywhere. It is a common volcanic rock, heavy, strong and heat resistant. Why is it better than basalt, granite or sandstone, no one will clearly answer you. But in terms of cost, it is not inferior to elite marble delivered from Italy (from 7,000 rubles per 1 m2).
So far, soapstone has "taken root" only in baths and saunas, where heaters are lined with it. You can use it to finish the fireplace and stove, but there are more economical options.
The color range of this stone is quite poor. It is dominated by pale gray and greenish shades.
Wood is not only heating oil, but also a beautiful finish
Wood has never been excluded from the category of finishing materials for fireplaces. This material does not conduct heat well, so you need to use it in a limited and competent way, using it as an accent of facade decor.
There is also a corner in the heating stove for wood. Here it can be used to decorate shelves, decorate corners, benches and benches.
Facing the stove and fireplace with your own hands
We will consider a simple option - facing the existing furnace with ceramic tiles.
The finishing process here consists of the following operations:
- Surface preparation;
- Steel mesh installation;
- mesh plastering;
- Tiling.
High-quality tiling of the oven with tiles will not work if the surface is not freed from old plaster and dust. The seams between the bricks must be cleaned of the mortar to a depth of 5 to 10 mm (for better adhesion to the mortar or glue).
Now the entire surface of the furnace, where the tile will stand, must be tightened with a fine steel mesh (cells 15x15 mm). For its fastening, dowels with washers are used. They are not hammered into the seams of the masonry, but into holes drilled in the brick. In the area of \u200b\u200bthe firebox, dowels are placed more often, since the largest temperature deformations occur there. After installing the dowels, the mesh is pulled over them.
Facing the oven with your own hands begins with the first bottom row. Here, the tiles are fixed on heat-resistant mastic or heat-resistant glue strictly according to the level. Use a standard notched trowel to apply the adhesive.
Having pressed the tile to the masonry, it is leveled horizontally and vertically, achieving a uniform distribution of the solution. If the tile is thick enough, then a hammer with a rubber head is used to upset it. For thin cladding, the best assembly tool is hands. To obtain an even seam, plastic crosses are used. The correct installation of each row is controlled by the level and plumb.
After finishing the lining, they take a break for 2-3 days so that the glue gains brand strength. After that, they begin to grout the joints using a dry cement-polymer mixture and a rubber spatula.
How to decorate a fireplace in an apartment
metal fireplace
A metal fireplace is not only a high-tech interior. Metal has many advantages, including a variety of designs and decor options for fireplaces.
Five questions about choosing a fireplace
A fireplace in an apartment and a fireplace in a country house are different devices. Which fireplace is right for you? How to “fit” it into the interior and ensure its safe operation?
To quickly warm up a summer cottage in cold, damp weather, a masonry stove is an overly large and expensive solution. But the compact potbelly stove will cope with the task "with a bang." We are looking for suitable options.
How to decorate a masonry stove or a country fireplace?
Antique tile is also good in a modern home. Tiles turn an ordinary stove or fireplace into an elegant structure that will become the main decoration of the room.
How to fold a Russian oven?
A simple Russian stove is simple in design and maintenance. It can be folded independently, the main thing is to follow certain rules and the order of laying.
Classification of furnaces by design
Which firebox is suitable for a corner fireplace, and which one is built-in? Let's try to figure it out.
Fireplaces and stoves: what to choose
In addition to external differences, how else does a fireplace differ from a stove? And what kind of hybrid "stove-fireplace" do manufacturers offer us?
Potbelly stove design
Historically, the potbelly stove has been characterized by low efficiency and high fuel consumption. Modern potbelly stoves have little in common with their "ancestors". How has the design of the device changed?
How to choose a fireplace?
The fireplace is one of the most ancient types of hearth. Over the past centuries, the fireplace has not only not lost its popularity, but, on the contrary, every year it becomes more and more in demand and technically perfect. Ka
Stove heating: pros and cons
We study the advantages and disadvantages of stove heating, because for many, an ordinary masonry stove or potbelly stove is the only available heating method.
Furnace firebox: finished or brick
The furnace determines the characteristics of the furnace, and therefore it is important to understand what determines the choice of furnace furnace.
Furnace: construction
What are the main elements that make up the design of furnaces of various types.
How to make a fireplace with your own hands
Is it possible to do do-it-yourself fireplace. Of course, and many already have it in their apartment or house.
Do-it-yourself fireplace in the apartment
Most likely, you will not be able to obtain permission from the relevant authorities to install a conventional wood-burning fireplace in an apartment. This is way too complicated. But don't despair! Today on sale there is a huge range of false fireplaces.
Instead of a conventional firebox, they use an electric hearth. Such a fireplace warms well, and thanks to special technologies it also creates the effect of a burning flame.
Sometimes the flames are so realistic that in order to determine whether the real fire is burning in it, you need to get closer.
note
It will cost you less drywall fireplace. If you know how to handle this material, then making such a fake fireplace will not take you much effort.
Just take a sheet of paper and try to draw a sketch of the future creation on it. Look at pictures of fireplaces online or in construction and interior magazines.
Before you make an accurate drawing of the fireplace (with dimensions), find out the dimensions of the electric hearth or buy one.
If your fireplace will perform a decorative function, then it is not necessary to buy a hearth. Some simply put a few burning candles in it. It's beautiful and romantic.
The frame for a plasterboard fireplace can be either wooden (bars 50 by 50 mm) or made of metal profiles. I will not tell you how to make a frame and sheathe it in this article, since this is already a separate topic. In order not to miss it, subscribe to the newsletter of new articles. The quick subscription form is located in the site menu at the very top.
How to make a wood burning fireplace
Such a fireplace can be made in the house or in the country.
First, decide on the location of the future fireplace. Make a drawing of it, indicating all the overall dimensions. Please note that it should be near a stone or brick wall.
If the walls are made of other materials, brickwork should be made along these walls up to the ceiling.
Structure thickness #8212; the floor is brick, the width is half a meter more than the width of the future fireplace.
For a brick fireplace, it is necessary to fill the foundation. To do this, we tear off the floor, go a little deeper into the ground and pour concrete. It will also be necessary to make a hole in the ceiling and roof for the construction of a chimney. You're not going to use the fireplace in a black way, are you?
How to revet the fireplace and how? | Heatmonster
The fireplace in the house is no longer a luxury item. In order for the design to be truly attractive, it is necessary to perform facing work after masonry. This will not only add attractiveness, but also ensure proper protection of the entire structure.
Drawing of a wood burning fireplace.
Today, cladding can be made from various materials, but natural marble remains popular. This option is not only the most reliable and beautiful, but also the most expensive. After cladding, marble requires careful and constant care, otherwise its surface will quickly become dirty, lose its luster and noble appearance.
In addition to marble, brick, ceramic tiles and beautiful tiles can be used for cladding, which give the stove an old, but such an attractive appearance. Wood is not used for cladding, it can be taken for the construction of mantelpieces, individual elements that will not be heated.
What products are suitable for facing the fireplace?
Facing of stoves and fireplaces using aluminum elements: 1 - aluminum strips with holes; 2 - aluminum tee profile (or two corners); 3 - bolts; 4 - ceramic tiles; 5 - clay solution.
A variety of materials can be used to decorate the outer surface of the fireplace, although natural stone is best suited. In some cases, the fireplace is finished with drywall, or rather its special refractory type.
Plasterboard usually forms the main structure around the firebox. GKL sheets are used mostly for false fireplaces; such models do not have a firebox with an open fire.
Brick for decoration is used a special refractory type. It is used for brick if the building material used is not attractive.
Facing brick is applicable for metal fireboxes. Traditionally, red and brown bricks are used, but today you can find black, yellow, white bricks.
Such material will give the cladding a special appeal.
You can also tile a fireplace, 3 of its varieties are used:
Fireplace cladding with marble
Fireplace cladding.
First you need to choose the material of the required quality and color. Such design should be in harmony with the overall interior. This applies not only to the color scheme, but also to the use of decorative elements.
It is necessary to take into account the complexity of the work, usually professional masons are invited for this.
The process of marble cladding is somewhat reminiscent of mosaic laying, as the finish is simply made up of individual elements, each of which occupies its own specific place.
Before starting work, the surface must be prepared. The masonry seams are deepened by 1 cm, the surface is covered with reinforcing mesh. Its cells should be 5 * 5 cm in size. After that, you can start fitting stone elements.
First you need to attach the element and see how it fits. If the discrepancies are not very significant, i.e.
after installation, curvature will not be visible, then no preparatory work should be carried out, you can start the cladding process.
Fastening individual cladding elements
Scheme of the fireplace portal.
Facing the fireplace includes the fastening of individual elements, the methods may vary slightly. The first method is that individual marble plates are simply glued to the surface. The second method is to use a special solution, the individual elements will be attached to each other, but they do not come into direct contact with the fireplace structure.
Most often, it is the second method that is used, since it is of higher quality and more reliable, does not require taking into account temperature changes, as is necessary in the first case. But there is also one downside.
If the fireplace lining needs to be removed, then you will have to use a hammer and a sledgehammer for this.
It is with the latter circumstance that the peculiarity of the execution of the facing made of natural marble is connected: the lower one is often fastened according to the first method, and the upper one - according to the second.
If the portal has a height of 50 cm, and the thickness of individual tiles is up to 10 mm, then it is recommended to additionally use S-shaped wire fasteners, which will give proper reliability and rigidity. First, a reinforcing mesh is laid on the surface of the fireplace, and these hooks are attached to it.
The thicker the stone tiles, the more often you need to put hooks. After the lining is done, you must wait about 2 days, then you can start grouting all the seams.
Beforehand, the grout must be checked so that after drying it does not leave any traces, does not spoil the appearance of the fireplace.
How to care for a marble portal?
Dimensions of the marble portal.
It is not enough just to make a marble fireplace lining, you will have to take care of the stone. Otherwise, its appearance will soon become unattractive. The portal must be regularly cleaned with a soft damp cloth from dust. It is necessary to moisten it in soapy warm water or use special products designed specifically for the care of natural stone.
It is impossible to use acids when cleaning the portal, as they corrode the surface of the marble, spoil its appearance. Do not use abrasives or chemical cleaners. From this, traces will remain on the marble, which will be problematic to get rid of.
It should be remembered that soot, coal dust can damage the stone, so it will have to be protected from this negative influence.
note
To prevent damage to the fireplace lining, it is necessary to arrange a non-combustible floor during the construction of the structure itself. After the facing of the portal is completed, a special wax-based coating must be applied to it.
It is carefully distributed over the stone, after which it is carefully polished with a soft cloth, or with a piece of suede.
Cladding tools: falcons, plaster spatulas and cut-offs, etc.
It must be remembered that over time, wax and other detergents form a thin film on the marble surface, which makes the polish dull. Appearance becomes not very attractive, but this is easy to fix. It is enough to take ordinary turpentine, apply to a soft cloth. Next, you need to gently rub the surface.
To restore the shine, any furniture polish is taken, but only in a light color or transparent. Caring for a marble fireplace portal is quite troublesome, although it cannot be called difficult. But even if it is difficult to take these measures, it is better to choose artificial stone or ceramic tiles for cladding, which are more unpretentious.
If the facing marble is heavily soiled, and the above measures do not help, then you can use a special powder. It is sold in specialized stores, designed for heavily soiled surfaces specifically made of marble.
This powder must be diluted with water in the proportions indicated by the manufacturer. You should get a mass that resembles batter. With this gruel, carefully using a piece of cloth, you need to start polishing the surface of the stone. After work, the marble is thoroughly washed and dried. But it is not recommended to use this tool often.
Of the features of caring for marble, it should be noted that the flame can cause damage to the coating, so when using it, you must ensure that open fire does not affect the surface of the portal. It is best to use a closed firebox, it is safer, but this is not always possible. From the recommendations of caregivers, one more point should be noted.
Marble fireplace cladding should not be in constant contact with tongs, spatulas and other equipment, as it quickly becomes stained. To prevent this from happening, fireplace tools must be coated with special anti-corrosion compounds.
Today, various materials are used for facing fireplaces, but the honorable first place among them is occupied by natural marble. This cladding gives the design style, nobility, it fits perfectly into any interior, but its cost is quite high.
However, such a minus is more than offset by the fact that the coating is durable and strong, beautiful, resistant to many types of influences. With proper and constant care, the marble surface of the portal will delight its owner for decades.
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What to put on a fireplace
Picking up your own individual interior of the heating stove in the room and deciding what to put on the fireplace from the outside so that it pleases the eye is a very important task. When designing fireplaces, you can overlay them with a wide variety of materials.
Depending on the material of the fireplace itself, it can be lined with either brick or tile.
In addition, a high-tech fireplace with chrome-plated metal elements, silver-plated or even gold-plated looks very elegant in the house today.
Fireplace style Hi-Tech (Hi-Tech) in the interior of the house
The most practical, durable and attractive facing of the fireplace is considered to be lining it with stone (natural or artificial) in combination with tiles.
Of course, facing the fireplace with marble or granite will undoubtedly win over brick or tile.
However, this top quality material, which is considered an excellent option for finishing a functional stove in the house, due to its high cost, not every family can afford.
What to pay attention to
The main difference between a fireplace and a traditional brick stove is the relatively low heating of the surfaces. The heat from the fire passes directly into the room, and the outer lining of the fireplace is needed for containment, and not as a conductor of heat. The requirements for the material that can be used to line a cast-iron or metal fireplace are much lower.
Tiles, clinker bricks, natural and artificial stone, tiles and wood. These materials, although they change under the influence of heat in volume, but under normal conditions this feature is insignificant. The main attention in the question of how to overlay a fireplace stove should be given to the conformity of the interior of the room, and not to practicality.
Tiles bring their own unique flavor to the living room or office. When facing the walls of the fireplace with this decorative material, it is necessary to provide, even when laying the stove, a wire for fastening tiles in the seams between the rows.
Plastic panels with imitation of any finishing material, wooden slabs or plaster bas-relief, as well as a false fireplace.
Requirements for the material of a functioning fireplace
For high-quality and reliable lining of a fireplace stove in a residential building, it is advisable to use only special samples that must meet the following requirements:
The most common materials for finishing a fireplace stove are:
- Heat resistant ceramic tiles.
- Unglazed tile or terracotta with a characteristic red-brown color.
- Porcelain stoneware is a resistant product to sudden changes in temperature, it is not afraid of bumps and other kinds of scratches.
- Clinker tiles - heavy-duty, heat-resistant and antistatic.
- Tiles provide fast and uniform heating of the room, thanks to the air cushion, they reliably retain heat for quite a long time.
Cast iron fireplace surround
In addition to traditional fireplaces made of brick and having an open combustion chamber, cast-iron products with a closed hearth are equally popular in today's modern homes.
A cast iron fireplace similarly releases a large amount of heat during the combustion of fuel, however, after the furnace product is completely burned, such a stove cools down very quickly.
This problem can be solved with high-quality and reliable cladding.
You can overlay a cast-iron fireplace with your own hands as follows:
- You will need to make to order or design yourself a project of the desired design of the fireplace stove, taking into account all the existing nuances of the room.
- Purchase the necessary amount of building material and tools.
- Provide a distance (small gap) from the firebox to the brickwork during cladding between brick and metal. On the sides, this distance should be at least 5-10 cm, and behind the fireplace, laying should be started no closer than 10-15 cm. Such a layer will save heat and reduce heat loss.
Overlay a cast-iron fireplace with brick- a successful solution to the problem of preserving heat in the room, however, if there are no objections about the appearance of the brick hearth of restrictions regarding the severity of the structure used, then everything is fine.
Otherwise, when using additional finishing materials (marble, granite slabs or natural stone), the heat transfer coefficient will be minimized, which will make the fireplace stove only a decorative element in the house.
Watch the video how the DIY experts use all the necessary materials to install an English fireplace with a classic-style cast-iron firebox with a prefabricated chimney. Most likely the portal is made of artificial material of false fireplace.
How to decorate a fireplace
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a fireplace mantel material. First of all, it is its resistance to high temperature.
In addition, it is necessary to take into account the frost resistance of the material if the decorative fireplace is located on the summer veranda.
An important factor is also the moisture resistance of the finish, which should be very high in an unheated room. Otherwise, it will crack.
A special element of the home interior, creating comfort and creative surroundings, is a fireplace.
With proper design and proper execution of all ideas, it can be made very effective. To achieve this, the fireplace must be correctly and efficiently decorated.
Finishing the fireplace is performed in various options, depending on a group of significant factors:
- room design;
— device type;
— structural features;
— preferences of the owner (customer).
Regardless of these, undoubtedly, very important conditions, the external design of the fireplace, no doubt, must harmoniously “merge” with the interior of the room without interfering with the normal functioning of the device.
Consider the most popular options for the external (front) decorative finishes of the fireplace.
Watch a video with a selection of fireplace finishes
The nuances of choosing a material for decoration
Before the final choice of any one finishing option for decorating a fireplace, it is necessary to accurately determine the essential technical and operational aspects:
1. The place where it is planned to equip the structure. For devices placed in unheated areas, for example, on an open veranda, it is imperative to use frost-resistant (and sometimes also moisture-resistant) material. This factor for other fireplaces is not so relevant.
2. Type of fuel used. Here everything is determined by the material that will be burned in the fuel area of the structure:
- wood - it is necessary to equip the cladding that can withstand up to 910 C;
- coal and oak firewood - the material must be tolerant to temperatures of about 1220 C.
3. The total weight of the proposed fireplace. Devices installed in private homes on the ground or basement floor can be quite heavy. Here, the cladding can be made in any desired variant.
Advice! If the fireplace is planned to be very large (weight, dimensions), then it is recommended to bring an auxiliary (additional) foundation under it!
When the structure is assumed to be on higher floors, there are special limiting standards for the total weight. In such cases, for example, cladding with natural large stone is unacceptable.
4. Resistance to water (moisture). All materials for decorating a fireplace placed in a damp, unheated room must be completely resistant to moisture, otherwise, after a while, the lining material will crumble and peel off.
Options for self-finishing fireplaces
There are a lot of ideas for implementing a fireplace design, so it’s quite easy to choose the right decor option. Let's analyze the simplest in execution, but very worthy in beauty ways.
1. Decorative plastering of the heating structure
The indicated type of finish is especially common. Today, he was able to fully acquire exceptional popularity only thanks to the appearance of special decorative plasters. They are able to obtain special coatings with unique reliefs and interesting textures. Although, ordinary material also allows you to create exclusive decorative effects.
Read also: Do-it-yourself infrared (electric) film floor heating
Recommendation! If the top layer of the coating is applied with a large-mesh sponge or a rubber spatula, then the texture is displayed in the form of small “waves”. You can enhance the effect of the finish by touching up a sufficiently dried plaster surface with lime or water-based paint!
Plastering technology performed according to the following sequence of steps:
- preliminary preparation of the fireplace surface for finishing. It is necessary to scrape off the old surface coating to the base. Seam stitching is performed to a depth of 1.0 cm;
— development and fixation of a special masonry mesh on the prepared surface. The mesh provides a more reliable, high-quality adhesion of the finishing mixture to the base. The material is fixed with self-tapping screws or classic nails equipped with washer extensions on the caps;
- surface priming;
- immediately before plastering, the fireplace must be heated so that all its walls are evenly warmed up to a warm state. Further, the masonry is moistened and the initial plaster layer (about 5.1 mm) is applied, which will be the basis for subsequent work;
Clue! If the solution is thinner than necessary, then the material is “thrown” with a trowel (trowel) with sharp, confident movements, for the most dense laying of the solution and its best fit to the base!
- after complete drying of the initial plaster layer, a solution of greater density is placed. This layer will be the main one and it should completely cover the masonry mesh and fill in the existing irregularities;
- the finishing (last) layer (2.3-3.2 mm) is laid on a sufficiently dried main plaster layer. Here the solution should be applied with a wide metal spatula, gently smoothing the surface;
- grouting the fireplace. Manipulation is performed when the finish layer is 50% dry. You need to take a grater, attach it very tightly to the base, and then, in a circular motion, carefully rub the surface. The resulting excess solution is cut off by the edge edge of the tool and removed.
Carefully! The working part of the grater must be periodically moistened with water so that the finish layer is smooth, without defects!
2. Finishing the fireplace with decorative tiles
A particularly popular solution is the finishing decoration with ceramic tiles. The fireplace she designed looks really amazing. In addition, the material is strong, durable, easy to clean (even with aggressive agents) and, moreover, resistant to regular temperature changes.
The lining of heating structures is usually carried out with the following materials:
- clinker tiles;
- glazed tiles with ornaments or majolica;
- terracotta elements or unglazed cladding;
- porcelain stoneware.
For each material, the mounting solution is selected exclusively individually. It is best to use the composition that was used in brick (stone) masonry.
Read also: Cornices for lighting the ceiling: types, installation instructions, expert recommendations
An exception! Clinker tiles should be fixed to the fireplace surface with a special mortar. This is due to the ability of clinker tiles to actively absorb water from the fixing composition. Special blends are sold separately and labeled accordingly!
Decorative design is best done with small-sized plates, since they are easier to fit to various ledges and niches.
Also, if deformations begin to appear, they will most likely remain intact. Large ones, in such a situation, will crack and will move away (fall off) from the surface.
The technique for gluing tiles is as follows:
- the surface of the fireplace is being prepared for lining - you need to clean off the old finishing material and carry out the jointing of the masonry joints;
- a mounting grid is fixed on the base and the surface is carefully leveled with an adhesive mass;
Nuance! It is required to leave the fireplace alone until the glue and the underlying base are completely dry!
- in accordance with the dimensions of the tiled elements, the surface is marked. Usually, a plumb line, level or building level is used for this;
- Laying must begin with the bottom row of tiles. A layer of adhesive solution is applied to each element with a notched trowel. Then, the tile is firmly pressed against the prepared base with force, and in order to improve adhesion, it should be gently “tapped” with a rubber mallet or rubber mallet. Excess adhesive solution protruding through the tile joints is immediately removed.
To maintain evenness and consistency of the seams, special PVC crosses are used, which are installed between the corners of the tiles or in the middle between them. Using this technology, row by row, the entire planned surface of the fireplace is filled with tiles;
- after waiting for the complete drying of the fixing composition, you can begin the grouting process. The inter-tile joint spaces are filled with a matching mineral paste-like grout mixture. Until the composition has set, it should be leveled with a damp, dense sponge. With a soft cloth soaked in water, you need to clean the surface of the tiles from the remnants of grout and other dirt;
- after a day, each seam must be treated with a special compound that repels all kinds of pollution.
3. Use of decorative or natural stone for cladding
The use of stone for finishing fireplaces is a traditional way of decorative decoration of heating structures. This decor is characterized by durability, solidity and elegant creativity. He is not afraid of temperature fluctuations, the level of high humidity, significant mechanical stress and most of the most aggressive substances. Stone material can be mounted on the surface in rooms and rooms of any purpose.
A significant disadvantage of the described cladding is the significant weight of the resulting fireplace, which is typical for natural stone finishes. It is better to use artificial material, which is lighter in weight. This facilitates transport and installation work.
Peculiarity! It is better to fix stone slabs with the mortar used in laying chimney bricks. When this option is not feasible, you need to choose ready-made heat-resistant mixtures for lining stoves and fireplaces!
Fireplaces can be made from different materials: stone, brick, concrete and even metal. However, brick and stone fireplaces are not only a traditional way of heating a home, but also its real decoration. There are many options for facing fireplaces, but you need to choose one that is in perfect harmony with the interior. So, for rooms decorated in a rustic style, marble and inlay decoration will be inappropriate. Such a design will be clearly discordant with the surrounding space.
To finish a brick fireplace, you can use a decorative stone - such a fireplace will fit perfectly into most interiors.
Types of fireplaces and options for their lining
To date, there are only 2 popular options for such heating devices as fireplaces. These are traditional brick constructions and electric fireplaces. The latter do not need any refinement of their appearance, as the manufacturer has taken care of this. Such devices are enough to correctly fit into an existing interior.
A different situation with brick structures. Despite the fact that the facing ceramic brick has a very presentable appearance, the owners of the house have a desire to give the structure of it even more solidity and presentability.
Finishing the fireplace is especially important for those who built it from ordinary ordinary bricks. Such heating structures look rather dull and resemble an ordinary rustic stove in their appearance. It is to them that the spectacular finish of the fireplace is extremely important.
You can use the following options:
- plastering;
- sheathing with drywall with its subsequent painting or gluing with finishing materials;
- decoration with decorative bricks;
- facing with tiles and porcelain stoneware;
- finishing with natural or artificial stone;
- wood sheathing;
- tiling.
The classic low-cost method is plastering. For modern houses, it is relevant only if it is necessary to level the surface of the structure, ennoble the appearance and not spend a fairly large amount for the family budget. But a completely different matter is the use of decorative plaster. It will certainly give the design a modern stylish look.
A plastered fireplace can be painted or whitewashed. It makes no sense to paste over it with tiles, since it could be laid directly on the brick without spending time and effort on the preliminary application of the plaster layer. Therefore, this method of finishing fireplaces is gradually becoming a thing of the past. It was replaced by new opportunities in interior design.
How to line a fireplace with stone
Brick structures finished with natural or artificial stone impress with their spectacular monumentality. Such fireplaces invariably attract the eye and are the "heart" of the house. The stone heats up quickly and is characterized by good heat dissipation, so in no way interferes with the full functioning of the fireplace as a heat source for heating the room. An example of a magnificent finish with artificial stone can be seen in the photo.
Materials and tools that are required for finishing fireplaces:
- artificial stone slabs;
- cement;
- quartz sand;
- tile adhesive;
- reinforcing mesh;
- putty knife;
- mallet;
- container for mixing the solution;
- building bubble level;
- roulette.
First of all, you need to decide on the design of the fireplace.
With the help of decorative stone, it can be given both a strict and concise, and a homely, cozy look. Therefore, it is important to consider different cladding options and then decide which decorative stone best matches the expected result. There are several recommendations that will greatly simplify the procedure for choosing a finishing material:
- the color and structure of the stone should be in harmony with the general style of the interior of the room;
- if the priority criteria are strength and durability, the best choice is marble or granite;
- if you need to create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort in the room, it is recommended to buy a textured artificial stone in pleasant pastel shades;
- if the fireplace is designed to emphasize the respectability of the house, it is faced with any flat and polished natural stone.
Sequence of finishing works
Having decided how to revet the fireplace, they get down to business. First of all, prepare the surface. In order for the stone slabs to be firmly fixed on the ribs of the fireplace, the brickwork must be embroidered. To do this, all its seams are shredded to a depth of 0.8-1 cm.
Taking out the mortar between the bricks, make sure that no pieces of the cement-sand mixture remain inside the formed depressions. Therefore, after chasing, all seams are cleaned with a brush with semi-rigid bristles. The solution is easiest to remove with a spatula with a sharpened blade, a hammer and a chisel.
The second stage of preparatory work is the installation of a reinforcing mesh. This will require nails that will need to be driven into the seams between the bricks. It must be taken into account that the impact force should be small, as this can damage the fireplace. Nails are used of medium size; washers are put on them when fixing the mesh. If it is impossible to drive in nails, they are replaced with self-tapping screws, which are screwed into the cement-sand mortar using a drill or screwdriver.
The next step is the preparation of the binder composition. Experts recommend using the same solution that was used when laying the fireplace. The kneading is carried out in a container of a suitable size, in which 1 part of cement and 3 parts of sand are placed. Thoroughly mix the dry ingredients and begin to gradually add water to them. The result should be a fairly thick viscous mass. To improve its properties, add a little PVA glue.
The reinforcing mesh is moistened with water by spraying. After that, a thin layer of solution is applied to the surface of the fireplace. Thus, the entire network is closed. After this layer dries, you need to line the fireplace with artificial stone according to the scheme that is selected. In order to be able to lay all the plates perfectly evenly, appropriate markings are made on the fireplace. To complete it, you will need: a level, a tape measure and a marker.
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Rz0DCk-ukE
Instead of a cement-sand mortar, any suitable tile adhesive can be used. The main requirement for him is that he must be fireproof. Therefore, it is better to buy special mixtures for laying stoves. Having familiarized yourself with the order and nuances of the work, it will not be difficult to finish the fireplace yourself.