Wood fireplaces: types and styles

For thousands of years, hearths and fireplaces decorate and warm our homes. The crackling of firewood and the game of flame fascinate and create an atmosphere of comfort and relaxation, set up a romantic mood. Though electrofireplaces, infrared and gas are now invented, but wood centers are very popular. This is a classic, proven over the centuries.

Features and benefits

Today there is a huge variety of types and models of wood fireplaces and accessories for them. They can be bought ready-made in a store or made to order, or you can build it yourself and decorate it to your own taste and desire.

Strict fire safety requirements do not allow to install a fireplace with an open firebox in the apartment, but in a private house or in the country, the fireplace acts as an oasis of peace and cozy rest, especially in dank winter weather.

This wood-burning fireplace has the following advantages and functions:

  • able to heat a room of 20-25 m2;
  • some models can be used for drying food and wet things;
  • serves as decoration of any interior and creates the unique atmosphere of a cosiness in the house;
  • easy to maintain and work;
  • able to work on different types of fuel
  • helps ventilation of the room.

    He also has disadvantages:

    • is only an additional method of heating;
    • due to fire hazard, requires caution in use;
    • there is a need for fuel and a special place to store them in the house;
    • to install or lay out a fireplace correctly is a laborious and costly business;
    • need to constantly clean the chimney.

    These disadvantages may not be, if properly use the fireplace and carefully care for him.

    Types and designs

    A fireplace is a stove, only with a firebox open to the side of the room. It consists of a portal that frames the fireplace and performs a decorative function, the firebox, in which firewood burns, a chimney, into which smoke draws. To remove gases and burning, the stove is equipped with a smoke box and a chimney - a special vertical pipe that removes the combustion products from the furnace to the street using a chimney pipe.

    Despite the simplicity of the design, there is a large variety of types of wood heating systems. For fuel, you can use all combustible material, such as wood, cardboard. Specially for fireplaces, long-burning firewood - pellets are made.

    Different foci at the place of installation on the street and home. The first are mounted on the street and are used for cooking in the barbecue area, heating water and, of course, to decorate the area in front of the house. The second - internal for installation in rooms.

    The separation is the way the furnace is placed in the room. Island designs are placed in the middle of the room at a distance from the corners and walls. Such a method is considered the most time-consuming, but such an island looks impressive, it is often double-sided and warms a much larger area than other species. The hanging fireplace looks unusual, its combustion portal can be both glass and open.

    Corner fireplaces fully justify their name and are located in the corner of the room, usually they are floor-standing, recessed. They give less heat than island ones, but they create a real corner for relaxation and look very elegant.Laying out such a furnace is easier than standing alone.

    Wall option - the easiest to perform. This fireplace is built into the wall, most often the carrier. It saves space in the room, but some of the heat goes into the wall, so it has less thermal efficiency than other types. Wall-mounted models are also placed on the wall, near the wall - wall or portable, which can be installed in any safe place of the room at the request of the owner.

      By type of execution room fireplace designs are divided into several groups:

      • Classic performance. This stove, lined with traditional natural materials according to standard, proven technology for centuries. The combustion portal is rectangular or square.
      • Model in modern design with various forms of fireboxes and made of metal, glass and other original materials.
      • The specific D-shape with a wooden beam at the top looks impressive and reliable.

        By the way of using, fireplaces differ, which, in addition to their main decorative function, perform additional household tasks:

        • fireplace-stove, on which there is a hob on top and you can cook food;
        • fireplace-boiler, which is used as a boiler, water heater;
        • heating furnace, almost smokeless, which is the main heating element in the room. Ready-made stoves are made with the possibility of connecting the heating circuit, wood-pellet boilers.

        Furnaces are made with two types of furnaces - open and closed. The first option is very popular because of the sensation and aroma of an open flame, the second is more secure, in it the flame is covered with refractory glass.

        Principle of operation

        The principle of operation of the fireplace is similar to that of a conventional stove. Firewood or other solid fuel is placed in the firebox. Firewood burns, emitting radiant heat energy in all directions. The temperature of the burning layer is 800-850 degrees. Part of the heat goes into the room, and some goes to the back wall and side portions of the fireplace, then it reflects off the walls and enters the room, but in smaller quantities, the figures are reduced by about half. Heat is generated while burning is in progress.

        In order to prevent unwanted and harmful products of combustion from entering the room through the open front part of the firebox, a special air flow is created, which enters the furnace through the inflow and goes further into the smoke box.Smoke and gases, which are formed during combustion, as well as part of the heat, are pulled into the chimney with the help of traction and are removed to the street through a pipe. Air to maintain the combustion is drawn directly from the room, there is natural ventilation.

        There are combined ways of working - you can turn on the electric, or you can use a wood-burning firebox.

        Materials

        For the manufacture of fireplaces are used as traditional natural materials, the use of which has a thousand-year history, and modern innovative, recently invented.

          The choice of material is determined by its special properties, which are necessary for safe and efficient operation:

          • thermal conductivity, heat transfer;
          • vapor permeability and gas permeability;
          • heat resistance, heat capacity;
          • shrinkage, volume change during temperature and humidity jumps;
          • incombustibility, fire resistance, fire resistance;
          • strength;
          • plasticity and elasticity;
          • chemical resistance when exposed to alkalis, acids, gases.

          Traditional materials, such as fireclay chamotte brick, stone, have excellent characteristics for use in the layout of furnaces for various purposes.Finnish fireplaces are made from talcomagnesite of volcanic origin. Mammoth stone, as it is also called, has excellent thermal conductivity and natural beauty.

          Of modern materials, the most commonly used is refractory toughened glass, which is used to close the combustion portal so that the flame can be seen. Manufacturers offer glasses that stand firmly at a temperature of about +750 degrees. To obtain such properties, the refractory glass is additionally hardened. There are quartz glasses, the temperature limit of which is +1000 degrees. They can be laminated and tinted on request.

            Steel fireplaces make a worthy alternative to stone and brick. This material has the following advantages:

            • Compactness and small weight in comparison with other types. Such furnaces can be installed without foundation, move from place to place.
            • High heat transfer performance. A room with a steel fireplace will quickly become warm, but such a fireplace also cools quickly.
            • Ease of care. Metal is easy to wipe, can be washed with special tools.

            Sheet steel is easier to process than cast iron, so designers can create complex fantasy shapes for such fireplaces.

            The artificial stone imitates natural analogs, but is more available at the price. They are veneered with classic fireplaces portals. Artificial stone can be laid out the entire walls and panels framing the furnace.

            Sizes and shapes

            Decorative stoves and wood fireplaces come in a wide variety of sizes and be huge stone, with panels and chimneys to the ceiling, which are the undoubted impressive center of the entire interior. Around them are formed the rest of the decor items and furniture.

            If room footage can not accommodate a large structure, you can choose a model more compact, portable or suspended, wall. These types do not clutter the space and look in the interior easily. Even fireplaces are sold mini, they are usually mobile and create a corner of relaxation and comfort in any place at the request of the owners.

            In any case, when choosing, it is necessary to take into account the size of the room, so that the fireplace looks proportionate to the other objects in the room.

            The shape of the fireplace determine the features of its design.The firebox and chimney dictate the elongated shape of the furnaces built into the wall or in the corner. Round fireplaces look super modern and stylish, they require placement in the center of the room and visibility from all sides. Such structures are installed or suspended in spacious rooms. Today it is possible to manufacture the most bizarre and exquisitely decorated hearths.

            Classic rectangular fireplaces are usually of solid size and are designed to emphasize the impressiveness and monumentality of the hall or hall in which they are located. They can be drowned in a niche or protrude from the wall.

            Cylindrical ovens are often located outside, in a recreation area and are used for cooking barbecue.

            Styles and design

            Any fireplace is undoubtedly the central object of the interior, and it is this that determines the general style of the room. If the cottage, living room or office are ready and have their own unique style, then a huge variety of models of stoves will allow you to choose the right design and harmoniously fit the fireplace into the overall composition.

            Traditionally, in private houses put fireplaces in the style country or rustic. These fireplaces are lined with natural or artificial stone, wood.They often have a niche for storing firewood. Fireplace shelves are decorated with family photos in lovely frames, vases, decorated in a rustic style.

            Rectangular fire chamber, columns or bas-reliefs in decoration, marble or stone cladding - all these are inherent elements. classics. Such solutions will look great in the same classic environment.

            Various antique heroes and mythical animals, vegetable bas-reliefs, white marble and columns create a luxurious and refined style. Empire Furniture, curtains and room decor should be in harmony with such an original fireplace.

            Modern characterized by the use of unusual forms in the decoration and non-standard combinations of materials, such as wood, steel, glass. Such fireplaces shake the imagination and give the room a modern and trendy look.

            Style high tech aspires to the future and combines the clarity of lines and the geometric regularity of forms. Fireproof innovative materials used in the decoration of such centers attract attention and ideally fit into high-tech or minimalist interiors. Steel and glass give the structure transparency and lightness, leaving a feeling of open space and airiness in the room.

            Brands

            Along with well-known European manufacturers with a century of history, whose fireplaces are located in the best houses in Paris and London, new manufacturers are entering the arena, whose products are not inferior to the masters of this field in quality and reliability. Russia is an active consumer of the goods of these companies. Polish company Kratki, italian Palazzetti french Supraspanish Fugar give warmth and comfort to people and offer a rich selection of fireplaces for any, even the most demanding taste.

            In Russia, there are also companies that deservedly occupy a leading position in the market and receive excellent reviews from customers who have been using ovens for many years.

            Company "Vesuvius" specializes in the production of iron and steel fireplaces of various sizes and shapes. These hearths are decorated in different styles and are available both with a closed firebox and with open, refractory tempered glass. All products are tested before the sale, which gives customers confidence in the reliability and durability of furnaces and ovens "Vesuvius".

            Company "Meta" 20 years working in the domestic market. Experts use the most advanced technologies for production and guarantee high reliability of their fully certified products.Buyers note the comfort in the use and care of the models of this company. The group "Meta" also produces accessories and components for furnaces.

            Stylish ideas in the interior

            In the modern living room in high-tech style the fireplace is the main object of decor and is located in the center of the spacious room. Thanks to the glass screen and the open firebox, you can contemplate the flame from any corner of the room. The hearth enlivens the cold geometric interior and gives it a warm touch.

            The whole living room is designed in antique style. Columns of white marble, ornament and shape of chairs emphasize the sophistication and luxury of the interior. A beautiful fireplace, lined with the same marble, and columns repeat the details of the walls and furniture. The hearth of the hearth is recessed into a niche, in front it is covered with a glass screen. The design of the chimney is in harmony with the general style of the room and creates a beautiful ensemble.

            Beautiful country house lobby in country style. The proximity of nature and fresh air, the forest behind the huge windows, natural materials in the decoration of the room and in the center of the composition - a huge stone fireplace with mantels, benches, decorative elements. The flame energizes and gives a feeling of blissful warmth and comfort.

            How wood fireplaces work, look in the following video.

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            Information provided for reference purposes. For construction issues, always consult a specialist.

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