Many of us associate a fireplace with a warm, cozy atmosphere and homely gatherings. Correct installation of this structure allows you to avoid the appearance of soot and soot during the burning of wood. An important role is played by its decorative finishing, which adds luxury and sophistication to the interior space.
Modern building materials help to choose the right appearance of a structure based on the chosen stylistic direction.
Experienced experts recommend choosing materials that have a moisture-resistant and washable coating. In the future, this will help get rid of traces of soot and soot. In our material you will learn possible options for decorating fireplaces with your own hands.
Stylistic design of fireplaces
Today, fireplace designs differ in material and heating method:
- they can be large, like ancient buildings,
- or not large and compact, which will fit into a medium-sized city apartment.
A wide selection of decorative fireplaces allows the home owner to choose the right model for an interior decorated in a certain style. Different designs of fireplaces will complement your home with warmth and comfort and emphasize the stylistic character of the room. For lovers of antiquity, the following types of fireplaces are offered.
Plastering works
To proceed to the final finishing of the fireplace portal, it is necessary to properly prepare the surface of the casing: get rid of joints, irregularities and cracks. Plaster will help in this matter.
- The entire surface of the fireplace is carefully primed.
- The edges of the plasterboard joints are cut at an angle of 45 degrees, as if forming a furrow. The seams are filled with plaster, serpyanka (reinforcing mesh) is placed on top and the seam is leveled with a wide spatula.
- All holes for self-tapping screws are covered with plaster, applying it crosswise.
- Beautiful, even corners are formed using a perforated corner. The solution is applied to adjacent sides, and a perforated corner is attached to it. An additional layer of plaster is used to smooth out the seam so that the corner is not visible.
- After the seams, joints and recesses have dried, they are sanded with fine sandpaper and re-primed.
The need for complete plastering and puttying of the surface depends both on the covering material and on the further method of facing the false fireplace.
It is necessary to plaster before painting. But in terms of the number of layers of plaster and putty, it is better to focus on the characteristics of the material. So for gypsum plasterboard it is enough to apply 2 layers of finishing putty, bypassing the plaster. But with chipboard you will have to tinker to get a flat and smooth surface. It is also advisable to use reinforcing mesh over the entire area. The last layer is always finishing putty.
Classical
The classic design option for a fireplace in the interior is a structure with a U-shaped portal with an open firebox. The main materials for manufacturing are:
- marble,
- granite,
- semi-precious natural stone,
- cast iron,
- tree.
You can use tiles to decorate the fireplace with your own hands. Engraving and carving highlight the elegance of the classics.
Classic designs are made wall-mounted or built into the wall. The chimney of a wall-mounted fireplace is hidden with a plasterboard casing.
Since this type is powerful, it is installed in large rooms. For safety reasons, fireplaces began to be supplemented with doors: the closed type avoids the risk of fire.
Choosing artificial stone for finishing
Artificial stone is made from gypsum, synthetic materials, most often with the addition of stone chips. Some of its types are externally indistinguishable from the real thing. High-quality design is achieved with the right choice of materials.
Main criteria:
- price - a good stone is never excessively cheap, but foreign products are always an order of magnitude more expensive than domestic ones;
- goods used for finishing residential premises must have a certificate of conformity and hygiene, and not contain harmful components;
- the longer a manufacturing company exists, the more likely it is that it produces high-quality material;
- the stone should not be too porous - this affects the strength and service life of finishing elements;
- The manufacturer's logo must be indicated on the packaging; the date of manufacture is also important - the optimal strength of the artificial stone is achieved within 28-30 days from the date of manufacture. If the period is shorter, the product is of poor quality, it is better to refuse to purchase it.
Features of working with artificial stone when decorating a fireplace
Decorating a hearth with fake stone has a number of features:
- work is performed at a temperature of at least +6 degrees;
- it is important to use the appropriate adhesive recommended by the manufacturer;
- for cutting use a hacksaw;
- the surface of the product is cleaned, a reinforcing mesh is installed on it;
- then plaster is applied to the mesh, the layer thickness is 0.9-1.5 cm, and dried;
- cladding is done from the corner from top to bottom so that the parts do not get dirty;
- a thick layer of mortar is applied to each part with a trowel, pressed to the place to be decorated, and excess glue is removed;
- it is advisable to use long and short parts in turn, adjusting them with a hacksaw or wire cutters;
- all seams are filled with mortar, dried, and excess is removed;
- After complete drying, the structure is coated with hydrophobic compounds to increase the service life of the coating.
Rustic or country styles
For interiors of these two styles, fireplaces are designed in the same design. Massive structures are made from wild stone or wood in a rough design.
The D-shape of rustic fireplaces includes a niche with wood under the firebox. A wooden beam is placed above it, and then there is a casing with a chimney.
The decorative finishing of the fireplace is made of brick or sandstone, which is artificially aged. Sometimes its appearance resembles a stove.
Such models are typical for country or country-type houses with a large area and high ceilings. Only experienced craftsmen can build them.
Frame covering
The finished frame is sheathed with sheet material.
Sheathing work includes three points:
- Taking measurements. It is more correct to take measurements for the cladding parts from the frame rather than from the drawing. Perhaps the dimensions somewhere will not coincide with the planned ones. If the frame is not very heavy, and there is a whole sheet to be cut, you can put the frame on the building material and trace its outline.
- Uncover . For accurate cutting, choose the appropriate tools for each type of material. Chipboard - jigsaw, plywood - circular saw, drywall - utility knife.
- Fastening to the frame . The casing is attached to the frame with self-tapping screws corresponding to the type of material. The caps of the screws go deeper into the part by a millimeter. Assembly should begin with fastening the shelf, because in some cases it will be fixed from the inside.
Expert opinion
Korzhavin Daniil Dmitrievich
Designer of stylish home furniture
For a mantelpiece, it makes sense to choose a material that is more resistant to mechanical stress: facade boards made of MDF, chipboard (veneered, laminated) or natural boards, followed by painting. And covering the rear wall of the portal with thin fiberboard will help lighten the structure.
Fireplace in Provence style
“French country” differs from rough rustic in its lighter and simpler design, but also with natural motifs.
A fireplace made of natural stone is decorated with tiles or wood, often painted in light shades and having a shabby and worn effect.
Forged doors and other elements are painted white or aged with a patina. All this emphasizes the vintage touch in the interior design.
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A Provence style fireplace gives a cozy atmosphere and a feeling of comfort. It can be installed even in a spacious bedroom, where warmth and comfort are valued. Decorating fireplaces - photo ideas in our selection:
Modern style
Ready-made models can be selected in any shape and size. Do-it-yourself fireplaces in the Art Nouveau style are distinguished by simple geometric shapes; most often they choose a square or round design, as well as an elongated model that takes up little space.
Samples of the modern movement are universal; it is impossible to make a mistake in their choice.
Minimalism framed by a fireplace
One of the varieties of modernism is minimalist fireplaces. These can be small, compact glass fireplaces that can be placed on a table or placed on the floor next to a sofa or chair.
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Structures built into the wall will also be a minimalist solution, which can save most of the space.
Questions on the topic
Is it possible to assemble a structure without a frame?
You can try, but in this case, embedded bars are used, to which the sheathing parts are attached.
What thickness should I use for sheathing sheets?
The recommended thickness of gypsum plasterboard is 1.25 cm, plywood is 0.8 cm and more, chipboard and MDF is 1-1.2 cm.
What thickness of bars should I use for the frame?
30 × 30 or 40 × 40 mm is quite enough for a stable structure.
Is it necessary to putty drywall before painting?
Yes, putty adds strength and moisture resistance to gypsum boards. The paint applies evenly to such a surface, without stains.
Is it possible to glue polyurethane decor without special tools? For putty and sealant?
It is possible to glue it, but it is not advisable, because... Over time, cracks will appear, especially in places where parts join.
Is it necessary to paint a putty portal and polyurethane stucco?
Well-made putty looks like you don’t want to paint it. But this must be done, because after a while its snow-white color will begin to turn yellow. Polyurethane does not change its color, but without painting, all joints of moldings and other elements will be visible.
What material can be used to decorate radius facades with stucco?
Only polyurethane products are suitable for finishing radius facades. They are quite elastic and can be bent. Polystyrene moldings have a much lower density and are not as flexible. They are more likely to be damaged during installation.
High tech
Hi-tech style fireplace stoves 2022 amaze with their varied design. Straight lines can be combined with smooth and curved ones, creating an unusual design of eye-catching geometry.
Abstract forms will add originality to the style, because in a high-tech interior you can often see things that are strange at first glance, which then seem to be an integral part of the room.
One of the popular types of fireplaces is a firebox built into a table with your own hands. Thus, a multifunctional design is obtained.
Modern technologies make it possible to produce samples with a rotating mechanism and additional decorations.
Drywall as a finishing material
Cladding the fireplace with fireproof plasterboard slabs allows you to create unconventional portal shapes. The workflow consists of two steps:
- A metal frame is assembled.
- The frame is covered with plasterboard.
IMPORTANT! When fastening sheets of drywall, the screws are screwed in at right angles. This prevents chipping on the surface.
Cladding the fireplace with plasterboard
When working, it is important to follow some rules:
- Be sure to ensure free air circulation.
- Basalt insulation is placed in the frame.
- The connection of plasterboard boards is carried out only on horizontal and vertical elements of the base.
- Additional lining of plasterboard with various materials is possible.
