Metal fireplace

Metal fireplaces have always been a worthy alternative to brick structures. There is an opinion that they have a modest appearance and will not be able to organically fit into the room. But it is worth remembering Demidov fireplace and other masterpieces of cast iron, made Kasli craftsmen, and all doubts about this disappear. Modern metal fireplaces are not as rich in decoration as their predecessors, but they no less successfully complement the interior of a country house or apartment.

Among the main advantages of metal fireplaces are the following:

• compactness. Compared with a capital brick fireplace, metal take up much less space in the room. They are lightweight, so they do not require foundation preparation, except for leveling the surface;
• easy maintenance. Fireplaces made of metal is easy to clean and wash. Their small dimensions allow access to the smoke box and the firebox to remove ash and soot from there. Also does not require careful maintenance of the outer surface of the fireplace.You can wipe it with a dry cloth, and if necessary, sometimes polish it with toothpaste or materials from specialty stores;
• high heat emission. In order for such a fireplace to heat the room, a small amount of fuel is needed. The metal walls of the fireplace body easily give off heat to the environment. But it should be remembered that for the same reason, the fireplace quickly cools.

Metal fireplaces differ in the material used in their manufacture and are:

Cast iron fireplaces look impressive and rich. They are able to keep heat for a long time even after it runs out of fuel. Their production is a long and painstaking work, because such fireplaces are assembled from individual parts produced by casting. But getting an exclusive product in this case is guaranteed;

Their weight is lighter than that of cast iron, and, therefore, more installation options in apartments and small rooms. They are made mainly of sheet metal, which allows you to give the body a different shape: classic rectangular, round in the form of a barrel, or something from a modern design;

Fireplaces of non-ferrous metal are more expensive than cast-iron or steel. But they allow you to bring warm copper shades to the interior. Bronze fireplace is less prone to corrosion and rust. And the plasticity of the material makes it possible to make parts of any complexity and delicacy out of it, which makes it possible to make a fireplace a real work of art.

By appointment, metal fireplaces are divided into the following groups:

• heating devices. This is the most common group of fireplaces that perform only the main function - heating the room;

• fireplaces. The upper surface of such ovens is the hob. In this way, it is possible even to heat food on small fireplaces or, for example, to boil a kettle;

• grill It turns out that this is also one of the varieties of metal fireplaces. The main function in such open-top constructions is cooking on charcoal or wood with a weak burning effect;

• decorative fireplaces.They do not give much heat, but in metal decorative fireplaces you can watch the game of live fire. There are very compact models of decorative fireplaces, suitable for installation in the smallest niches.

Depending on the location in the room, there are fireplaces:

• wall mounts. The fireplace can be located along any wall of the room. Such an arrangement is advantageous in that the chimney can be brought out through the wall, and this will have an aesthetic look. It is not recommended to install them under the window or in front of the door - drafts can make the work of the fireplace unsafe, especially with an open fireplace insert. Also, when installing a wall fireplace, it should be noted that the walls behind it will be contaminated due to soot and dust released during burning. Partially the problem is solved by the installation of heat-resistant screens, from which dirt and dust are easily removed;

• angular. The most common installation option lately. It is good at saving space and creating a special atmosphere in the room. Corner fireplaces are usually compact, and also make it easier to get into the working units when cleaning them;

• suspended. In small houses, to save floor space, fireplaces can be installed not on the floor, but hung on special durable structures. Usually, suspended fireplaces are lightweight, look futuristic and do not require additional fencing, such as wall-mounted fireplaces;

• central. Such an arrangement for metal fireplaces, though possible, is highly undesirable. The smoke collector will need to be lifted to the full height of the room and brought out through the roof, and the location of the firebox in the center of the room will create the danger of fires or burns.

Structurally, a metal fireplace is a firebox, which is placed in the body of any shape - rectangular, cylindrical, and even sometimes triangular. The power of the fireplace depends on the size of the firebox - the larger the fireplace, the larger the area it is able to heat. The body with a firebox is installed on the legs, which stably fix it on the surface.

The furnace is divided into two cameras by a flap. In one, fuel burns, in the other, gas accumulates. A grid is located in the lower part of the firebox - this is done so that the ash, after burning firewood, falls through the grate into the ash pan.

The second important part of the metal stove is the chimney.Through it, the smoke leaves the space of the furnace. Sometimes, to imitate a chimney tooth, which prevents smoke from getting back into the room, the chimney is made somewhat crooked with metal bends. The chimney should go to the street through the roof of not less than 50 cm, and must be protected from the ingress of snow or rain.

The main fuel for metal fireplaces are firewood. The wood of deciduous trees (birch and ash) will quickly heat up the fireplace and the room where it is installed. And coniferous firewood (spruce or pine) will fill the room with the specific aroma of pine resin. However, it is often not recommended to stoke a fireplace with coniferous firewood, as evolved resins pollute the chimney and the grate of the fireplace more quickly.

Sometimes peat pellets can be used in wood fireplaces. But coal cannot be used as fuel. In addition to increased pollution of the room, it warms up the working elements of the fireplace, which can lead to their deformation and damage to the fireplace.

In some cases, having modified the design of the fireplace, natural gas can be used as a source of fuel.But it must be remembered that the installation of gas equipment is possible only with the prior approval of the project with the gas services.

If desired, you can make a metal fireplace by yourself drawing on their own or selected on the network drawings. Its production does not take much time. For a homemade fireplace you will need a little skill in welding, construction and installation work, as well as the following materials:

• for the foundation of the fireplace and the protection of walls - sheets of heat-resistant coating, as well as heat-resistant tiles or steel sheets with a thickness of 5 mm;
• for the body of the fireplace - steel corners for the frame and sheet steel;
• for the chimney - pipes, if necessary - metal bends to them, as well as heat insulating material;
• to complete the work and design - grate, glass door of the furnace, as well as fasteners.

Approximate step-by-step installation instructions will be as follows:

Before installing the fireplace, it is necessary to prepare the surface of the floor and walls in the place where it will be installed. As a rule, thermal insulation with mineral wool is made and a metal sheet of heat-resistant steel spreads.To make the place around the fireplace more aesthetic, you can lay it out with tiles or bricks.

The firebox of the stove is made on the basis of a frame welded from metal corners and mounted on legs. The walls of the stove must be doubled for more efficient afterburning of the fuel and longer preservation of heat in it. In the front wall of the stove it is necessary to make a hole for loading fuel there, and install grate and ash pan below.

After creating the stove body, it is necessary to build an exhaust hood with a smoke box. Depending on the location of the fireplace, the chimney will either directly go out through the roof to the street, or be stepped. In the second case, it is necessary to use transitional bends, which are bent by the chimney and will allow to “hide” it in the wall. All joints must be coated with heat-resistant mastic and laid with mineral wool.

After completing the installation of the main parts, you can proceed to the framing of the fireplace - revet it with tiles, bricks, attach the firebox door, arrange a firewood house next to the fireplace. After that, you can enjoy the result of the work done and the view of the living warm fire in the house.

One of the Russian manufacturers of metal fireplaces - MetaFire and their line Angara fireplaces. It produces prefabricated metal fireplaces from sheet steel, designed for space heating of 100-120 sq.m. Models are made according to European technologies and can accommodate a water circuit or cooking system. Consumers note the affordable cost of the line, the possibility of manual adjustment of heating and ease of operation. Among the shortcomings - the rapid formation of soot on the door of the furnace.

Metal fireplaces Thermofor carry more functional than aesthetic function. The company has been on the market for many years and produces several modifications of wood-burning stoves at an affordable price. Also in their lineup you can find barbecues and a cooking stove.Reviews of some consumers say about the rapid loss of the appearance of the furnace. But on the furnace there is a guarantee according to which the manufacturer honestly replaces the failed components.

European manufacturers Traforart, Boley, Cheminees Philippe and Fugar combine the quality and beauty of products. The fireplaces of these companies are finished with classic and modern materials, and ideally fit into the premises of any style. The main disadvantage of them is the cost, significantly higher than the Russian counterparts.

Metal fireplaces look especially good in industrial-style apartments, as well as in rustic interiors.