DIY fireplace insert installation
To date, in terms of operation, the most secure is a fireplace insert of a closed type. That is why a device of this design is an ideal solution, especially for those houses where little children are. In this article we will tell you how to install a fireplace insert with your own hands, what are the pros and cons of these devices.
to contents ↑What is a fireplace insert?
Closed firebox - a chamber made of cast iron, intended for burning wood, in which one wall is made in the form of a glass door. The most convenient option is a door equipped with a lifting mechanism that pushes it up under the cladding. It allows you to turn a closed structure into an open one movement.
Directly below the combustion chamber is an ash pan through which air enters it. Smoke is discharged through a pipe mounted on top of the furnace. In fact, the installation of such a firebox consists in arranging a base under it and a decorative cladding that allows you to hide metal parts from others, while only the firebox itself is visible. Due to this cladding, the fireplace takes on a more familiar look.
to contents ↑Advantages and disadvantages of closed fireboxes
It is unambiguous to say that closed structures cannot be better than open structures, in fact, as well as vice versa. There are many conditions and factors that affect the choice, which is why the installation of a fireplace insert begins with familiarization with them.
Benefits:
- Efficiency in closed furnaces is much higher, in particular, if they are equipped with heat stores.
- A large assortment of models that differ in appearance, size, shape of glass.
- Warranty from the manufacturer for high-quality operation of devices and smoke extraction.
- Such fire chambers last longer than open ones made of brick; burnt parts can be replaced at any time.
- High level of fire safety, ensured by the lack of open fire.
- Low cost of a fireplace in comparison with open analogues.
- Simple and quick installation, which is easy to do on your own.
Disadvantages:
- Insignificant overview of fire at economical models.
- You can watch the fire only through the glass, which must always be kept clean.
- Cast iron furnaces are expensive, especially those that are combined in one design with the portal.
to contents ↑Important! The standard firebox is black, but if you pay well, you can supplement it with a silver, gilded or brass frame, more about how to equip a fireplace and fit it into the interior, read the articles:
How to equip a fireplace with a cast iron stove on your own?
The biggest advantage of such devices is the ability to independently mount the base directly on the floor in the room. The only exceptions are floating floors. Moreover, you will not need to think about how to arrange an ash pan or equip a fireplace with high-quality traction, because this is already provided for by its design. That is, making a fireplace with a cast-iron firebox with your own hands is much simpler than equipping a regular open brick fireplace. Now let us dwell in detail at each stage.
Cast iron base unit
There are a number of rules that must be followed when arranging the base for a cast iron firebox.
These include the following:
- First of all, you need to choose the right place for installation. The room should be large, with an area of at least 20 square meters.
Important! Do not place the fireplace in line with the door and window openings.
- If the room is ventilated with an air conditioner or ventilation system, a good air supply must be ensured. For example, you can install an automatic ventilation pipe.
Important! Such a fireplace requires approximately 500 cubic meters of air.
- Once you have decided on a place for installing a fireplace, you need to make a base for it. Lay a layer of waterproofing, arrange a reinforced cement screed on top.
Important! If the floors in the room are made of wood, then an additional layer of thermal insulation will be needed. The screed must have a thickness of at least 15 mm, metal mesh can be used as reinforcement.
- Once the base reaches the required level of strength, you can take on the device pedestal under the furnace. It is quite possible to make it of brick or aerated concrete blocks, or to do it even easier, for example, to install a finished base made of natural stone. Then, you can make the facing of the fireplace insert with your own hands with ceramic tiles, artificial or natural stone.
Important! If the floors are not too strong, then it is better to give preference to aerated concrete, because it is a light and durable material, you can give it any size and shape.
- Then comes the time to lay the blocks on a regular mortar of cement and sand or special glue. The pedestal is leveled on top with a layer of plaster of about 1-1.5 cm.
Important! Make sure that it turns out perfectly smooth, since it is forbidden to install foci on an uneven surface. Due to the skew, the internal elements of the fireplace can be damaged.
Installation of a cast iron firebox
It doesn’t matter what you made the base for the furnace from, you should lay a layer of thermal insulation on top of it, for example, a sheet of roofing iron or asphalt board. Then the chimney is installed.
Important! When choosing a place for it, calculate everything in such a way that there is a gap for the convection heating system between the facing of the fireplace and the walls of the furnace. In addition, the length of the chimney, which is included in the kit, should be enough to bring it out.
To mount the firebox correctly, place the bars on the place where it will be installed, then carefully align it in the place, carefully remove the pads. A chimney made in the form of a pipe or a metal sleeve is installed directly in the hole intended for it, and then discharged through the roof and floors to the outside, and all fire safety rules must be observed.
Important! In order to comply with all fire safety measures, it is necessary to correctly make the floor near the fireplace. What should be minimum floor screed thicknessread on our website.
Exterior fireplace insert
If you have already done the installation of a fireplace insert with your own hands, you can only take care of its decorative decoration. You must initially pay attention to what material was used for installation:
- If you prefer brick, then continue masonry, stepping a short distance from the outer walls of the furnace, leaving a couple of holes in it for hot air to exit.
- You can follow the path of least resistance, thereby facilitating the design - equipping the frame for casing. It can be assembled from thin-walled metal profiles or corners connected by special self-tapping screws.
Important! The main thing is that its design provides for fastening the casing on the outside and thermal insulation inside.
- Mats made of non-combustible material as a layer of thermal insulation are attached to the frame so that their foil side faces the chimney and the furnace.
How to sheathe a cast-iron fireplace, of course, is up to you to decide - it all depends on your financial capabilities, existing skills in the field of construction and the amount of free time. Purchased fireplace stoves themselves look stylish, but, unfortunately, they do not always fit into modern interiors. If you live in an ordinary house without a fashionable repair, then you can get by with a simple stove with a stand, but for those who do not like such an offer, it is better to spend a little money and beautifully decorate the fireplace - for example, with brick, tile, GCR:
- Of course, facing a fireplace insert with a brick by yourself is the cheapest option, you will have to spend very little time and effort.
- In the case of using drywall for cladding, it all depends on your imagination and desire - arrange the fireplace as you want.
Important! Regardless of what material you dwell on, it is important that it matches the overall style and interior of the room. You must admit that in the Hi-tech interior the wooden bars will look ridiculous, like in a log house there is marble tile.
to contents ↑Important! If everything is clear with fireplace heating, then it is worth thinking about cooling the room, air conditioning can easily cope with this task. But here the main question arises: "How to choose the best air conditioning."
Stock footage
Now you have an idea of how to install a fireplace insert with your own hands. Equip your house competently, then there will be no problems during operation, the interior will be harmonious, beautiful, and generally it will be more pleasant to be in a cozy room with a suitable microclimate.
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