- 1 How to install a fireplace in an apartment
- 2 Preparation of materials
- 3 Installing a brick fireplace
- 4 Installation of the firebox
- 5 Installation procedure for electric fireplaces
- 6 Several ways to decorate
- 7 Videos
If previously installing a fireplace in residential premises was a necessity, today we can limit ourselves to decorative structures that are not the only source of heat in the house. But even the installation of such fireplaces has certain specifics. Let's find out whether it is possible to make a fireplace in a city apartment, what materials we will need, and how difficult it is.
DIY fireplace in the apartment, photo
How to install a fireplace in an apartment
If you are planning to stock up on firewood and start heating your rooms in the traditional way of early times, you must remember that it is allowed to install such a fireplace in an apartment on the top floor. Moreover, installation will not be possible without obtaining appropriate permission from specialized services . And since installing and framing a fireplace involves rearranging the space, you are required to notify the housing inspector.
Fireplace in the apartment, photo
Attention! A fireplace installation can weigh up to 500 kg, and such floor loads are contraindicated in apartment buildings.
According to sanitary standards and regulations, the maximum load on floors can be up to 150 kg per square meter. Due to the difficulty of obtaining documents and the need to carefully select a design, many people prefer electric fireplaces. Despite the apparent complexity of the device, such a fireplace will only include a pedestal, a frame and an electric screen.
How to make a fireplace in your apartment yourself? First you will have to prepare:
- draw up a project with a detailed indication of the materials used, device parameters and weight characteristics. If you are installing a wood-burning fireplace, mark the location where the chimney is connected. We recommend contacting specialists who will complete the project taking into account all the nuances;
- coordinate the project with the inspection authorities;
- if you receive a positive answer, consider how to decorate the fireplace structure : the design should be in harmony with the style of the room;
- when installing fuel-burning fireplaces, consider in advance a place to store firewood and other raw materials;
- the floor and walls near the fireplace must be fire resistant. It is possible that you will have to do additional interior decoration of the room. The fireplace itself must have a screen that performs protective functions.
There are different ways to make a fireplace in an apartment with your own hands. Therefore, even at the design stage, it is important to decide what materials you will need.
The area of the apartment matters
Those who want to have a working, rather than decorative, fireplace should first of all know the living space of the apartment. According to regulatory documents, refurbishment of premises in this direction is permissible only in those dwellings whose parameters are at least 50 square meters, even if it is a one-room apartment.
Accordingly, if a person lives in a typical “Stalinist”, “Khrushchev” or small-family apartment, one can immediately say goodbye to such a desire. The fact is that house management authorities will refuse such a request.
Modern new buildings give owners some hope for the possibility of installing a fireplace, because their area often exceeds the required parameters.
In addition to this, there is another important point that can hinder the implementation of the plan and will not allow having a fireplace in the interior of the apartment; it is represented by a chimney. When a person uses a real fireplace, the combustion of fuel produces smoke, which must be removed, otherwise there is a risk of suffocation.
The main accent of the living room interior
But again, returning to a modern high-rise building, some developers provide for the installation of a chimney during the construction of the building, so before buying an apartment, and if there are plans to build such systems, it is worth paying attention to this point.
Good to know: Fireplace in a cottage, choose a full-fledged wood-burning option according to different criteria
Preparation of materials
Depending on what functions such a design will perform, you can choose lighter or stronger and more durable materials. For example, a do-it-yourself plasterboard fireplace in an apartment is suitable for those who want to create an additional decorative element in the interior.
For fireplaces that will produce heat, brick will be more reliable.
When choosing bricks for laying a fireplace, we advise you to pay attention to the characteristics of each individual element. Consider the weight and shape of solid bricks so that during the construction process you do not have to send for an additional batch of material.
Attention! You can build a frame for a fireplace and other parts of a medium-sized structure using about 400 bricks.
We also advise you to immediately think about what to make the tabletop for the fireplace from. The material must withstand heat and fire, be durable and match the design of the room.
You will also need purified homogeneous sand with granules up to 1.5 mm, clay, cement, crushed stone, roofing felt, boards, reinforcement with a cross-section of up to 1 cm and a length of approximately 0.7 m, chimney dampers and a sheet of steel.
Installing a brick fireplace
Now let's figure out how to install a fireplace in an apartment on a brick base. This process consists of several stages. First, create a strong podium : you will need to make a reinforced screed with an area of approximately 2.5 sq.m. Next, wooden formwork is installed, the boards are fixed with self-tapping screws, and meshes of reinforcing bars with a diameter of 8-10 cm every 10-15 cm are mounted on top of them.
This podium is poured with concrete (M200), after which you will have to wait a couple of weeks until it dries completely.
At the next stage, we need to prepare a thick mixture with a concentration of sand and clay (in the same ratio), as well as a handful of salt. This solution should be quite strong: roll part of it into a rope and make sure that it does not break when rolled into a circle. Let the solution dry; this will take several hours.
Before installing the bricks, tap them with the handle of a trowel or a rubber mallet: this will remove excess air.
Proceed with installation, maintaining a joint thickness of 0.5-0.7 cm. Lay out a uniform base of the fireplace, walls and front facade. Attention! The front part of the fireplace should include a firebox ceiling made of steel corners and a slab.
The vault and chimney are created starting from about the 14th brick row. After 12 rows the pipe must be narrowed. Next, the vault is covered by two-thirds, and a valve is installed.
The next row is dressing, after which another valve is placed - and the installation of the pipe begins. The height of such a pipe must be calculated in advance taking into account the parameters of the room.
When choosing materials for finishing fireplace installations, make sure that their coefficient of thermal expansion is almost the same as that of refractory bricks. For example, for these purposes you can choose clinker tiles.
Find out how to build a fireplace in a private house with your own hands: a home hearth can be built from different materials. We offer step-by-step instructions for building and arranging a fireplace in your home. Is it possible to cheaply renovate an apartment with your own hands and what is required for this? Read the answer in this article.
Firebox installation
It will be easier to build a real fireplace in an apartment if you have a ready-made firebox. Therefore, instead of creating a brick structure, you can only make it, taking into account some installation features.
The process begins with the creation of a foundation.
Make markings using a tape measure and chalk. If there is a wall made of wood, create brickwork in the stove area or use a partition that will perform a protective function. Attention! The base should be approximately 0.3-0.4 m larger than the fireplace area on each side, and its height should be half a meter.
When the base is ready, pour the foundation, place a steel mesh on top - and fill the mortar again. A waterproofing layer is laid on top.
Many people make a foundation on a brick base, but in this case the brick must be durable.
A small distance should be maintained between the firebox and the masonry of the partition. The partition itself is made of brick, aerated concrete, or can be of the tongue-and-groove type.
To connect the masonry and the load-bearing wall, use steel rods: they must be secured in the wall. Next, use plaster or mineral veil, as well as foil material for external treatment.
Proceed with the U-shaped firebox Place metal corners on top that will connect the opposite walls. They are placed with the protrusion upward at a distance of 15 cm.
Place the bricks on edge, cut out the grooves, and lay them so that the corners fit inside. Using bricks only fills two-thirds of the stand. When the solution dries, begin installing the firebox. Place the U-shaped porcelain stoneware slab on mastic or heat-resistant glue. Recess the side sections into the wall by a couple of cm. The firebox is placed maintaining a 5-centimeter distance at the rear wall.
After installing the firebox, proceed to laying the fireplace walls , but make sure that they do not touch the firebox itself, but are connected to the load-bearing wall. Use sealant or plaster, and after the masonry extends several rows beyond the upper level of the firebox, lay the heat-resistant slab again on the glue.
The next stage is cutting a hole in the ceiling measuring 70 by 50 cm. A steel profile is mounted around the entire perimeter. Please note that the resulting hole should be similar to the cutout in the slab itself. Vertical profiles are secured with self-tapping screws: this is how the frame for the chimney is made.
We mount the pipe inside, connecting the upper end to the attic . Use insulating coatings on the inside and then wrap the entire surface in foil. The ceiling of the box also needs insulation. Leave about 2 millimeters free between the pipe and the insulating material.
The outside of the frame is covered with plasterboard , asbestos cement or wood panels. A ventilation cutout is made under the ceiling.
The cut of the pipe must be lubricated with heat-resistant glue, after which it is routed, a box is installed, the structure is insulated, covered with plasterboard and a ventilation grill is installed. Place a cap on the top of the pipe, which will play a protective function. Apply bitumen mastic to the lower cut. Use it for the adjacent roof covering. Apply sealant. Secure each edge with self-tapping screws and seal the seams.
When you figure out how to make a fireplace in an apartment, you can start tiling it .
If you decide to use wood to finish the floor, then maintain a distance of at least 50 cm from fire sources. Advice. To ensure safety, use a protective fireplace grate and, if necessary, prepare a stand for storing firewood.
Any fireplace must be checked after installation. It is better to do this in a well-ventilated area so that fresh paint does not leave odors throughout the apartment. Light a fire that is not too big and watch the smoke. The correct design will not allow it to enter the room: on the contrary, smoke will be drawn out through the chimney.
If the room smokes, check how well all seams are sealed, and also make sure that air is entering the firebox.
Installation
Note: Only specialists should install a fireplace in an apartment. Handicraft unprofessional work can lead to disaster. Therefore, you should not skimp or try to save on the installation of structural elements of the fireplace.
If the house is gasified, as a rule, a pipe branch is made for the stove and other devices.
Most homes have additional ventilation ducts in the kitchen. If there are no devices connected to them, for example, a hood, you can completely connect a fireplace.
Fireplace in the kitchen
It is important to understand that any operations that involve a centralized gas supply are carried out either in the presence of employees of the city (district) gas service or by themselves. When calling specialists from other organizations, it is imperative to notify the gas service about the upcoming work. Only with authorized installation can you be sure of safety.
Installation procedure for electric fireplaces
Installing an electric fireplace in an apartment has several advantages compared to installing other structures. Firstly, a compact electric fireplace will cost you less than a large brick model. Secondly, it does not require ventilation, so it is installed much faster. Safe and stylish, this fireplace will be a great addition to any room.
Let's discuss step-by-step instructions for a DIY electric fireplace. First you need to choose a place to install the electric fireplace. For these purposes, you can use any wall - and free up an area sufficient for the structure, but without depriving the room of maximum free space.
Now you can start purchasing. The average cost of a firebox will be about 25-30 thousand rubles. The minimum depth of an electric fireplace in an apartment will be about 7 cm.
DIY electric fireplaces, photo
We will tell you how to make a portal for an electric fireplace with your own hands from plasterboard.
Start manufacturing by building the base. You can make a podium for framing an electric fireplace with your own hands from an MDF tabletop or other durable material. You set the shape of the pedestal yourself. To slightly raise this structure, use a metal profile frame, and after installing the podium, cover it with a plastic plinth.
Now you can make a frame for an electric fireplace with your own hands. For the frame, we need to stock up on metal profiles for racks and guides with parameters of 5x5 and 5x4 cm, respectively, as well as small self-tapping screws. Cover the entire wall that will touch the fireplace with fire-resistant material (such as asbestos sheeting).
Using a marker and level, prepare drawings of the portal for the electric fireplace with your own hands. Start attaching the profiles to create a symmetrical parallelepiped. The corner portal for an electric fireplace is made with your own hands in a different shape.
Do-it-yourself portal for an electric fireplace, photo
Connect the frame elements with “bugs” and strengthen the structure with additional transverse profiles in increments of 0.3 m. Build an internal structure to house the firebox.
Install the chimney frame, securing one side to the wall. When it is ready, start making communications to ensure the operation of the electric fireplace device. Tip: use cables with self-extinguishing insulation with a cross-section of 2 by 2.5 mm.
Inside the fireplace portal, the cable will be placed in a metal “sleeve”. When installing an outlet, it is better to take care of the presence of a switch so that there is no need to constantly remove the plug. The next stage is covering the frame. Measure and cut plasterboard sheets - and secure with screws. Seal the joints, apply primer and putty over the surfaces. Conduct a fitting of the electric firebox to the finished structure.
Make cuts in the drywall opposite the ventilation lugs: this will protect the mechanism from overheating.
Electric fireplace in an apartment, photo
Video material
In short, you can add comfort to your interior in different ways. And an electric or gas fireplace in an apartment can be no worse than a real one, not to mention the fact that even the most expensive model will cost much less than paperwork and refurbishment of the apartment. And manufacturers are constantly improving their products, so it is possible that tomorrow a unit will appear on sale that will look absolutely no different from a regular wood-burning fireplace - but, of course, will be much safer.
Several ways to decorate
Completing the process of creating any apartment fireplace involves decorating it. Namely - painting and lining with other materials if necessary . By the way, you can make a tabletop design for the fireplace with your own hands, which differs from the design of the facade and walls.
For the fireplace itself, you can use elements of gypsum stucco, wooden panels and relief inserts, and decorative plaster that is resistant to high temperatures.
No less popular are artistic tiles, decorative elements made of metal and glass, as well as coatings stylized as stone.
Photo of an electric fireplace in an apartment
In the photo of fireplaces in the apartment you will see many ideas for creating a structure and decorating it. All that remains is to choose which fireplace will best fit into your interior. And for those who want to know more, watch a video about modern electric fireplaces.
Read about what types of paint for walls in an apartment exist and how to choose safe and high-quality paint for renovation. Comparison of laminate and linoleum, their cost and characteristics of coatings - read here.
Watch a video on how to choose interior doors at: https://kvartira-rf.com/obustrojstvo/kakie-mezhkomnatnye-dveri-vybrat.html
Basic documents
Before organizing a fireplace in an apartment, you will need not only permission from local governing bodies, but also a resolution from services such as environmental and fire departments. There is a whole list of documents that must be submitted to the specified authorities:
- Situational plan. It should depict the location of the building in which the apartment is located. The scale of the plan is 1:2000. All surrounding residential buildings must be marked, indicating the height and number of floors.
Situational plan of the apartment and house
- Certificate from the Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring Service. It should display all data on the background concentration of harmful substances in the area where the house is located.
Certificate from the Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring Service
- Explanatory note. This document is a complex of data, it may include information about the use of the device for a certain period, the type of fuel for the fireplace, the height and placement of the chimney, calculation of air pollution from combustion products, quantitative and qualitative characteristics of these substances.
It will be quite difficult to collect all the documentation yourself, because in many cities there are special intermediary companies that greatly simplify this task.
