How to make an electric fireplace with your hands step by step instructions. Do-it-yourself fireplace in an apartment: imitation of a fireplace, installation instructions with step-by-step actions. Hearth made of garlands, stones and logs of lace

Electric fireplaces are a great solution for decorating the interior of a room. This is a stylish, fashionable solution that can radically change the image and atmosphere of the room. In modern salons and stores, electric fireplaces are sold in two variations - separately taken devices, as a heating device, and a fireplace device, along with a ready-made portal, often made of MDF panels. In order not to overpay, you can make a portal for an electric fireplace with your own hands. There are no difficulties in designing the portal, given the detailed information on its manufacture on the site.

Types of designs for electric fireplaces

Today, when there is a huge amount of materials available for making structures of any strength and complexity, with a choice necessary tools there are no problems. In addition, a do-it-yourself electric fireplace allows craftsmen to decorate the portal in their own way, based on personal preferences. A huge advantage is the fact that the electrical appliance itself does not contain open heating zones and during its operation the fireplace body does not heat up. The weight of the device is also small.

To install an electric fireplace in an apartment with your own hands, you can use materials such as:

drywall;
brick;
metal;
glass;
stone;

It is not advisable to use natural wood or plastic arrays, as hot air can deform these materials.

Making an electric fireplace from drywall with your own hands is the most budgetary and easiest option for making a portal. The only drawback of this model is the impossibility of its movement around the apartment. You should draw up accurate drawings of the future project, for a better effect, you can familiarize yourself with the video and photo of creating an electric fireplace with your own hands, which would allow you to slightly correct your ideas by comparing them with professional advice. Do not forget about the ventilation holes and electrical wiring, which should be included in the design.

Create a frame

For its installation, two types of metal profiles are used: guide - 27 * 28 mm, rack-mount 60 * 27 mm. Between themselves, the profiles are fastened with "bugs".

After that, the entire wall adjacent to the fireplace should be covered with heat-resistant material. Next, the frame is attached to the wall. The installation of the frame should begin from the podium of the fireplace, and then select a portal for the firebox itself. Since the appliance itself is rather big and has a rather impressive weight, the frame should be strengthened by attaching rack profiles after 20 cm.

Plasterboard sheathing

Before sheathing an electric fireplace in an apartment with your own hands, it is worth conducting electrical wiring. It is also worth cutting a few holes in inner wall portal, which in the future will perform the function of exhaust passages. We turn to the sheets, a clerical knife is used to cut the GKL.

For dimensional accuracy, so that the pieces of drywall fit snugly against the frame, you can make a layout of the pieces on paper, and then transfer them to drywall. The sheets are sewn up with a screwdriver, using self-tapping screws 3.5 * 25. A sheet of drywall is unable to bear the full weight of the electric fireplace; for this, the sheets should be further strengthened with galvanized corners. After the drywall construction is completely primed and puttied.

Electric hearth installation

The electric part of the fireplace itself is quite powerful and for its installation it is worth following the instructions attached to it. Also, a separate multi-core double-insulated cable should be run to the fireplace. The cross section of the wires used must not be less than 2.5 mm. When installing, the wires should be laid in a metal corrugation. It is worth taking care of installing a separate outlet for the fireplace. as such strict rules on the installation of the electrical part of the fireplace is not observed. You can cope with the installation of the fireplace on your own, especially if the frame is ready.

Decorating an electric fireplace

An important stage is the decoration of the portal for the electric fireplace. Here you can not hold back your imagination. You can imitate the texture and colors of natural wood. To avoid cracking of the fireplace surface during operation, and this is possible under the influence of hot air and temperature changes, it is better to cover the plaster layer with varnish or paint. Facing with artificial stone is one of the most suitable decoration methods. fasten fake diamond to the drywall surface is necessary with an adhesive mixture.
Twilight, light burning wood by the fireplace and a cup of hot chocolate… And it doesn’t matter that this is just an imitation of fire…

DIY electric fireplace video

Consist of electrical device- a firebox and an outer casing, which may include various decorative elements. Heating spiral or tubular electric heaters are used inside the furnace. The body of the electrical device itself does not heat up.

The advantages of electric fireplaces include:

The cost of the finished product is lower than the cost of building a fireplace heated by real firewood;
Ease of maintenance. Unlike its "real" counterparts, such a device does not need to be cleaned of soot and soot, and fuel is not required;
No fume extraction systems required, and ventilation systems, if necessary, are much simpler;
Does not require repair during installation and carrying out any additional work on the premises;
Comparative mobility. If necessary, such a fireplace is not difficult to disassemble and move to another room or building;
Can be used even on the hottest days with adjustable temperature, turning off the heating and leaving only an imitation of fire;
As with any certified electrical appliance , installation does not require coordination with regulatory organizations.

Possessing a number of advantages over real sources of open flame, the electric hearth is a spectacular addition to any interior.

Types of fireplaces

Electric fireplaces differ in heating elements, systems for distributing the heat they generate, as well as the presence of various improvements and additional features. These can be thermostats for the ability to turn off when a certain temperature is reached, imitators of the crackling of burning branches, etc.

According to their purpose, the devices in question are divided into completely decorative and functional. Decorative fireplaces without heating systems are much cheaper and are used exclusively for decorating rooms. Appliances with a heating function other than those clearly decorative effect, are sometimes able to be the main source of heat in the room.

A conventional heater with imitation of a fire burning is able to heat a room with an area of 20-25 m² at a power of about 2 kW.

According to the type of execution, electric fireplaces are divided into:

Stand alone. This type imitates directly the fiery hearth. The firebox is quite compact, appearance such a device does not require additional registration. For its operation, it is enough to choose a location and connect it to the mains;
Fireplace complex (set). Such a decorative element consists of an electric hearth and a finished decorative frame. For obvious reasons, this is the most expensive type of electric fireplaces, if we evaluate them by design features;
Built-in electric fireplaces. These devices are suitable for mounting in the wall of a room or placing in a separately manufactured portal. It is this execution of the fireplace that allows you to end up with decorative element rooms that are most suitable for a particular person.

Preparation for work

For convenient manufacture and installation of the electric fireplace portal, you should first of all:

make room for work;
provide for the release of dust during the processing of materials.

Before placement, consider the direction in which the heated air will move. In the path of the constant flow of hot air currents, there should not be anything that could suffer from excessive heating and drying out. From prolonged direct exposure to hot air, furniture and a number of plastic products, including plastic windows, can become unusable.

Near the location of the portal should be electric outlet. In order not to constantly remove the plug from the socket, it is advisable to provide a switch for it.

On the wall where the hearth will be placed, a sheet of heat-resistant material should be attached to the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe fireplace portal. For this, a sheet of asbestos or a similar material is suitable.

The minimum thickness of the hearth for an electric fireplace is 70 cm. Based on this, you need to calculate how much space such a decorative element will take up along with the manufactured body. If the room is small, you can make a corner fireplace.

Before starting work, a drawing of the planned product should be prepared with a breakdown by parts and an indication of the number and dimensions of all components. Naturally, the parameters of the future fireplace must correspond to the dimensions of the built-in electrical appliance that simulates the burning of a flame.

The size of the countertop should be larger than the area of the upper part of the fireplace portal body by about 15-20 cm on each side, except for the one adjacent to the wall.

Naturally, the parameters of the future fireplace must correspond to the dimensions of the built-in electrical appliance that simulates the burning of a flame.

For the manufacture of the body of the electric fireplace you will need:

Table top - best fit MDF panel (medium density fibreboard), it is easy to process due to the uniformity of the structure. The panels may already have the desired appearance, many manufacturers cover the plates with plastic or enamel of various colors and textures, or you can paint the uncoated plate yourself to your taste.
Directly the body, which is made of drywall sheets. This material is resistant to temperature changes, easy to process and quite environmentally friendly;
The frame of the body (racks and crossbeams) is made of metal profile. Parameters for racks - 50x50 mm, for guide rails - 50x40 mm;
As fasteners small self-tapping screws 10-20 mm long are used;
Dry mixes for puttying and priming drywall. For surface treatment, it is enough to mix them with water. For priming drywall, it is best to use universal acrylic mixtures;
Special glue for finishing material;
Finishing material: decorative tiles, mosaic. You can use textured plaster, stucco or paint. Bricks can be used to finish the bottom of the fireplace or make a podium pedestal.

To process these materials and assemble the fireplace body, you will need:

Grinder;
metal scissors;
building level;
screwdriver or screwdriver;
construction pencil or felt-tip pen;
hammer;
construction or clerical knife;
primer roller, paint brushes, spatula.

Making a fireplace

A place for a fireplace is marked directly on the wall and floor using a marker and a building level. This is done for ease of manufacture and assembly, and besides this, it allows you to try on the main element, an electric firebox, to the parameters of the future portal.

Before mounting the frame, you can make a podium for a more spectacular appearance of the entire product. The pedestal is made of brick or other blocks, it can be decorated with tiles, natural stone, that is, those materials that are suitable for finishing the foundations of buildings. A significant disadvantage of this add-on is its complete static nature, such a pedestal will be almost impossible to move anywhere.

After being prepared necessary materials and tools, you can start making a fireplace portal. The algorithm of work is the following:

The fireplace is ready and you can place the heating part in it.

If the ventilation of the electric heating device itself is directed upwards, then it makes sense to add a decorative chimney to the main portal. It is also made of metal profiles and drywall according to the same algorithm as the main part of the body.

In the upper tabletop of the portal at the installation site of the decorative pipe, you will need to make a hole for ventilation, and make several small holes on the sides of the chimney. For the best visual effect such a pipe should be made to the ceiling.

The location of the fireplace must be held. It is best that it be made of wire with self-extinguishing insulation. It is desirable that the wiring be wound into the body of the fireplace portal in a metal corrugated sleeve.

When installing the firebox, make sure that no foreign objects get into it. The power cord of the heating part must not be placed under flooring or into a wall, access to it must be open.

corner fireplace

There are no special differences in the manufacture of the corner portal from the preparation of the portal of the front fireplace.

The only thing that changes is the shape of the frame and, accordingly, the shape of the entire body of the corner fireplace, or rather its part facing the corner of the wall. Also, the shape of the table top changes from rectangular to pentagonal. Everything else, both the manufacturing process and the assembly of the entire structure, is almost the same.

The corner fireplace differs from the front one only in that it is more versatile when placed in small rooms, and also in that the corner fireplace, in the case of performing a heating function, provides less heat transfer than the front one.

Firewood for electric fireplaces

As decorative elements used to simulate a "live" flame, you can use combinations of lamps, artificial firewood and coal, reflective elements. To create the effect of movement, cloth patches and fans can be used.

For example, you can make a decorative hearth using artificial homemade logs and LED lamps with randomly switching lamps of red, yellow and white color.

The procedure for making decorative logs:

From corrugated cardboard tightly twist oblong rolls different lengths and thickness and with the help of glue to fix the cardboard in this form. To fix the shape, tighten the ends of the rolls with rubber bands;
Using the differences in the size of the rolls, glue the blanks in the form of logs with knots. Use adhesive tape to fix knots;
Remove fixing straps paint the resulting logs with paint;
Separate branches can be made, painting sheets of paper crumpled into crumpled rolls.

The theater uses this method of simulating a flame:

Placed in a cardboard box small fan;
Multi-colored LEDs are installed above this fan. appropriate colors (yellow, red, orange, etc.);
Directly above the LEDs are small mirrors, which will reflect electric light, creating the effect of fiery highlights;
Strips of different sizes and shapes are cut out of white fabric. These strips are placed inside the box around the fan. They will play the role of tongues of fire.
The box can be decorated with artificial charcoal, branches, decorative logs and place in the hearth of an electric fireplace.

The inner surface of the electric fireplace portal can be isolated from warm air jets using reflective thermal insulation. This will increase the heat transfer of the device itself and extend the life of the portal body and its finish.
It is strongly not recommended to use candles, as well as any other open source of real fire, as an imitation of a fire flame in an electric fireplace. In addition to the obvious fire hazard, the source open fire almost always smokes, which negatively affects the appearance of a decorative fireplace, especially if it is made in bright colors.
Before buying, you should carefully study the functions of the device. If you cannot control the brightness of the simulation, running the device for a long time can cause eye fatigue. It is advisable to ask to turn on the device and pay attention to the noise level during its operation. Here it must be remembered that in a store any noise is not as noticeable as in residential premises, and if the noise level of a new product is higher than desired, then with further operation, the noise of working mechanisms will only increase.
To design a composition with a hearth, you can add elements, accompanying the maintenance of a real fire: tongs, a poker, a bundle of firewood, etc.

Initially, the fireplace in the house was intended primarily for heating. Nowadays, city dwellers are saved from the cold by central heating. At the same time, the fireplace is still associated with home comfort, a place for rest and relaxation. Therefore, in modern interior I want to get my own hearth, but only for the sake of beauty. For this, a false fireplace is erected, in which fire is present as heat for the soul, and not for the body.

You can make a home decorative portal yourself or involve a specialist, or you can purchase a ready-made dummy. It all depends on your desires and capabilities. To create a full-fledged decoration, it is necessary to pay attention to the main attribute of the fireplace - fire. Naturally, a real flame is not possible for every fireplace. But anyone can create an imitation of fire on their own.

Types of decorative fireplaces

There is a large selection of ready-made portals on the market. Do you prefer a ready-made version or want to do it yourself - decide for yourself. Before that, familiarize yourself with the features of each type.

The most democratic option is a portal made of cardboard and polystyrene. They are easy to make and affordable. Do-it-yourself imitation of fire in a fireplace is permissible only from sources without a flame as such. Such materials ignite easily and require careful handling. Consider one more feature of cardboard and polystyrene - they will not withstand heavy objects. Therefore, all decorative attributes should be extremely light.
It is not difficult to build a drywall fireplace. The material is easy to process and affordable. Its feature is fire resistance, so candles can be easily placed in it. But, like the previous types, drywall does not withstand heavy loads.
Plywood is good for ease of use, unique in its naturalness and environmental friendliness. It is important to know that this material does not like moisture.
Brick and stone are aesthetically beautiful materials that will last a long time. When creating a hearth of a fireplace, elementary skills in laying bricks and stones will be required. You will have to lay a considerable budget for the construction. In addition, the final work can be quite weighty and not every floor in a high-rise building will withstand construction.

Create a hearth

The fake fireplace is not designed to heat the room. For this function, there are special electronic centers of various sizes, shapes, materials. For those who need a fireplace as a design solution, decide on the type of fireplace and consider options for parodies of fire. Let's start with the simplest ones.

Fairy lights

You will need the garland itself, a source of energy and decorative ornaments to her in the form of logs. It is better that the lamps flicker yellow, orange and red.

Do-it-yourself lace branches will help to add a realistic effect. To create an unusual decoration you will need: tree branches, foil, lace, glue, stones.

We wrap the branches with foil without gaps, glue lace on top of the foil. Let dry for about a day. After, we cut and carefully take out the branches of the trees. We form a circle from the stones (if desired, the stones can be painted in any color), lay out a garland in the middle, and form the resulting lacy branches like a fire. Turn on the garland and the logs will sparkle with glimpses of fire colors. This is an amazingly simple and effective way to create a dummy fire in the fireplace.

Candles

You can use candlesticks, candelabra, or simply arrange large candles according to your design. We emphasize that this option is not suitable for every light fireplace, because flames can leave a black mark.

There is an interesting way to effectively supply candles in the fireplace. To do this, you need several medium neat logs. In each we cut out 2-3 recesses the size of a small candle in a metal stand. The result will be a sophisticated imitation of a fireplace fire at a minimal cost of finance and time.

photos

salt lamps

Special lamps made of salt crystals look great in a false fireplace. The salt lamp will be an interesting embodiment of a real fire in the fireplace. The main "minus" of such a design solution is high price. But there is a big "plus" - salt crystals will benefit the health of the whole family.

LCD screen

Putting a screen in a fireplace is quite an expensive decision. The main difficulty of such a replacement for a real fire is to install a screen. The image of the flame will elegantly dance and crackle soothingly in the fireplace portal.

To increase the effect of the fire burning on the screen, several mirrors placed in the hearth at different distances and at different angles will help. The screen image will perfectly imitate fire, and mirrors will create an illusory effect of a three-dimensional image.

prefer more interesting solutions your interior idea, then you have to make some efforts. Consider how to make the fire more realistic and bewitching with your own hands.

Cardboard or real wood stack with LED lamp and fabric fire

For self-manufacturing logs will need cardboard, glue, scissors, paint, brush. We form logs from cardboard, paint them in the color you like, lay them out in the form of a well and glue them together. A well made of real wood is created a little easier: we take prepared logs and glue them with building glue.

For fire, you need a cartridge led lamp, flickering randomly different colors(ideal would be to combine red and yellow colors), ceiling, light uniform light fabric that transmits light, four strong wires from 15 to 30 cm long.

We push the ceiling and fix the woodpile on top, we fix the wire on the logs, and the other ends between each other. We fix the fabric on top of the wire. Turn on the LED and enjoy the resulting small fake fire

theatrical fire

A very effective type of artificial flame. For it you will need the following elements: a silent small fan, diodes of different colors (ideally red, yellow and blue flowers), a reflective surface (it can be fragments of a mirror, foil, etc.), shreds of silk of different sizes and shapes, a small box where we put everything.

The box should be decorated, then:

install a fan in it;
place the diodes next to each other;
attach the finished shreds next to the fan

The fire will turn out to be alive. It remains to place the box in the portal and enjoy beautiful view with a cup of aromatic tea in hand and in sincere company.

Aquarium as an imitation of fire

The play of water and light is always mesmerizing. You can use this successful ensemble in the fireplace instead of fire. Prepare the following devices: an aquarium of any shape and size (the main thing is that it fits in the hearth), LED Strip Light fiery color, water. Install the tape on the bottom of the aquarium, pour water into the aquarium. Decorate the design at your discretion with shells, tree branches, pebbles, glass, pebbles, etc.

A fireplace is considered not only a means for heating rooms, but also a great addition to the interior. This is a combination of aristocracy, classics with modern design. Unfortunately, not always the parameters of the house allow you to install a real fireplace. In this case, you can take advantage of new technologies and create an electric fireplace with your own hands, so that cold autumn evenings enjoy warmth and comfort.

You can make a similar fireplace with your own hands

Device Features

Imitation of a real fireplace consists of several elements, which together recreate the principle of operation of the unit. You can find models consisting of different elements that add functionality to the device. A standard fireplace consists of two elements:

Fireplace Portal. The design is the "face" of the fireplace and determines the styling, type of finish, dimensions. Outwardly, it resembles masonry, which is the body of the fireplace. Manufacturers upholster the frame sheet material. Although you can choose a different finish, depending on the interior design.
Hearth and furnaces. This is the basis of an electric fireplace, which can be not only of different sizes, but also of power. The hearth is installed directly into the portal. You can reduce the cost of the device by making the frame yourself, but this requires certain skills.

The firebox together with the hearth perform a number of functions. These are room lighting, heating and imitation of live fire. You can buy a fireplace that only copies the fire, but does not give heat. Such a decorative option will cost much less than a conventional electric fireplace, but the function will only be decorative.

In this video you will learn how to make a fireplace with your own hands:

Not only the brightness and strength of the fire, but also the power of heating depends on the type of hearth. Experts identify several options. This:

Cheap. Strips of red silk are attached to the pseudo-logs (you can use shades of color for greater realism), a small fan and backlight are installed. When the fireplace is turned on, the feeling of a living fire is created.
Modern. Suitable for open fireplaces. A reflector is installed under the stack of firewood, which changes the brightness and sharpness. It feels like a flame is burning from below.
Expensive. It uses a steam generator, humidifier, lighting from various LEDs. Together, the elements create a composition that most accurately reflects the natural combustion process.

The level of comfort depends on the choice of the type of hearth. Although do not forget about the decorative design of the device. Only a complex look can transform a room, adding coziness to it.

Basically, I single out 3 segments of similar fireplaces

Process Materials

In order to create electric fireplace with your own hands, must be purchased the right materials. So that the purchase is not spontaneous, before starting work, you need to find a sample, understand the principle of creating an insert, or buy a finished hearth. After the project of the future fireplace is drawn up, you can calculate the necessary materials for work:

Drywall. The material serves to create the base of the fireplace.
Plastic. Suitable for decorating and highlighting device details.
Aluminum panels.
Steel sheets. It is advisable to buy already processed in a polymer shell or treated with a special powder paint.
Glass and fiberboard.
Plywood and multilayer board.

The portal is laid out from natural or artificial materials(The first option is different strength). It can be brick, wood, drywall. These foundations are expensive, so in most cases the frame is constructed from a profile, simply sheathed with sheet materials.

Drywall keeps its shape well, combined with different types finishes, can be trimmed and decorative design. It also has a small weight, so you can install a fireplace made of such material in any type of room.

If instead of drywall you use plywood or a multilayer board in your work, then you should be careful with the hearth, because even after treatment with special substances, the materials quickly change shape under the constant blowing of warm air. An alternative to a purchased hearth that can be installed in the portal is:

Electronic photo frame with the image of fire. If you replace it with an animated version, you get a real fireplace. name economical way will not work, because the cost of the frame is high.
Installing inside a TV that will play video from a flash card is also considered a good option for an insert.
To create a three-dimensional illusion of a flame, a system of mirrors can be used, which are installed inside the fireplace. The method is effective, but time-consuming, because parts of the mirrors must not only be installed in the right places, but also securely fixed.

Required Tools

In order not to be distracted by the search for the necessary components during the creation process, you need to worry about this in advance. To create a fireplace you will need:

A plumb line and a building level (allows you to install a fireplace without distortions, create it perfectly even).
Metal shears or grinder with a thin circle. If the work will use a profile, other rigid materials, these tools may be required. Crafting with a grinder indoors should be done carefully, away from flammable materials.
Stationery knife. It is convenient for them to create small details and cut out small parts.
Spatulas and sandpaper are intended for surface treatment.
A screwdriver or screwdriver is used to twist parts.

Thanks to these tools, the process will be faster and better, and the result will please even the most demanding critic. All tools are reusable, so they will come in handy for further work.

Preparatory stage

Before starting work, you need to think about where it is better to install a fireplace so that it does not take up much space, but at the same time illuminates the room well. Masters advise installing the unit in the corner when the room is small, and in the center of the room if the parameters are large.

The shape of the portal and its dimensions depend on the choice of location. It is impractical to put a huge fireplace in a small room. Instead of comfort, this will create a visual effect of cluttering up the space. To make the fireplace as similar as possible to the real one, experts advise placing it near the wall. Of course, decorative options are also used with open fire, special lights, which are installed even in the center of the room. But for a false fireplace, this option is not suitable.

Do not forget to choose a rational location for the fireplace

Corner placement saves space well. In the room, in addition to the fireplace, you can make several zones, thus arranging the furniture, freeing the center from unnecessary elements. Then the light from the fireplace will create additional coziness and comfort. The corner portal in this case should be triangular, not rectangular.

The hinged version is rarely used, although it also looks quite impressive. It is built into the wall, practically does not take up space in the room. It can fit both for small rooms (small sizes) and for spacious rooms (a large portal with a beautiful design is suitable).

As for the power supply, this should be considered in advance. Even if you make a hearth for an electric fireplace with your own hands, the fan will require current. When the effect of naturalness is important, the socket must be hidden. No need to place the fireplace far from the power source. It is better to use the option with a socket near the fireplace.

You can not hide the socket in the portal, as this can lead to damage in case of active use of heating. The ideal option would be an installation with a special switch. As for the calculations of the parameters and the design of the fireplace, here all the data is entered into the drawings and the project. Experts advise to first make a trial version in in electronic format so that you can adjust the details, remove the excess. After that, all necessary calculations, the model is transferred to real world for the final project.

Also, do not forget to think about the power supply

Step-by-step instruction

First, a base is made, which is attached to a metal profile. standard height does not exceed 50 cm. The basis is a rigid and rather thick material to withstand the load of the liner. For a wall-mounted unit, the shape should be rectangular, and for a corner unit, it should be pentagonal.

Assembling the portal frame is the next step in the work. It is best to use a metal profile in the process, although natural materials. On the front side, experts advise installing profile segments that will limit the opening. Inside, a frame is being made on which the hearth will be installed.

To add realism to the fireplace, you can make a chimney, a metal profile is also used to make the frame, and you need to sew it up with drywall. It is better to stick wallpaper imitating brickwork on the surface, this will add authenticity and originality to the design.

When sheathing the frame with drywall, you do not need to rush to immediately fasten all the details. You must first see how the fireplace will look like in this form, perhaps in the process of work you will want to make changes to finished structure. Must be used Decoration Materials. Thanks to them, the base will look stylish and modern.

Before applying any material to drywall, the surface must be primed, only then additional layers should be created. Both natural materials and inexpensive substitutes are used for decoration. You can recreate any base, stick embossed wallpaper. The surface of the fireplace allows you to experiment with the choice of finishes, select combined types.

A false fireplace can decorate a house, make it warm and cozy, while saving money for heating and installing a real structure. Walkthrough makes it possible to save on this, to do everything with your own hands, making sure of the reliability and durability of the future fireplace.

A fireplace is a wonderful decorative element that brings zest to any interior. Traditional home has always been the dream of many citizens, but installing it in an apartment is too complicated, and often simply impossible. In such cases, modern technology comes to the rescue.

Electric fireplaces are a great alternative to traditional fireplaces. They have many advantages, for example, there is no need to install a chimney, draw up documents and start expensive repairs. You can make such a hearth yourself.

Below is detailed instructions about how to make an electric fireplace with your own hands.

Preparing for installation

Installing a fireplace is a small repair, but the first step is to develop a plan. First of all, it is worth choosing a place where it is planned to place an electric hearth, there must be an outlet nearby.

Then you can define the model. It is important to consider the appearance and framing of the fireplace. It is advisable to choose an option that will fit the size of the room and fit well into the interior.

Fireplaces are usually built into the portal, but if there is too little space in the room, it is possible to place them in a small niche on the wall or in furniture.

The next step is to choose the material. It is possible to make an electric fireplace with your own hands from glass, metal, stone, brick, chipboard or drywall. Do not use plastic or natural wood, they deform too easily under the influence of hot air. It is best to make a drywall hearth, it is easy to work with and not too expensive. For the pedestal, you can use MDF, which has a protective laminated layer on the surface.

Having decided on the material, it is necessary to draw up an accurate drawing of the model, reflecting the smallest details such as bezels and ventilation holes.

Now you can buy the electrical part of the fireplace and the firebox. It is important to remember that its depth cannot be less than 70 mm.

If the electric fireplace is portal, it is important to respect the proportions. The hearth should occupy half the width and 2/3 of the height of the portal. There are several nuances to consider:

Protruding fasteners.
Air ducts.
Electrical cords and their location.
Control configuration.

The last step is to prepare suitable tools, including screwdriver, screwdrivers, hammers, metal shears, marker and. etc.

Having completed the last stage of preparation, you can safely begin repairs.

Unpacking, assembly and review of the Electric Fireplace

Firebox selection

Framing, of course, plays a significant role in the construction of a fireplace, but the choice of firebox is much more important. To accept correct solution, you need to know the device device. The hearth consists of mechanisms responsible for the production of heat and for simulating a flame. Fire is depicted using pieces of foil or red silk. They oscillate with the air flow thanks to a special fan. There is also a system of mirrors and lighting. All together gives a realistic imitation of a real flame.

Heat is produced by heating elements. They are of two types: spiral and tubular. The latter are also called tenes. The heat is distributed by a fan. The maximum possible energy consumption for a fireplace is about 2 kW.

Creating a pedestal and frame

The first step is to cover the entire wall adjacent to the fireplace with refractory material. Often an asbestos sheet is chosen for this purpose.

Repair begins with the installation of a pedestal for the portal. To do this, you can use part of the MDF countertop, which has a protective laminated layer on the surface. The advantage of this material lies in its resistance to impact high temperatures and moisture. When installing a pedestal, it is important to remember that its area must exceed the planned area of the portal, it is necessary to take into account the framing of the fireplace.

The second stage is the manufacture of the frame. The ideal material for this is drywall, it is absolutely environmentally friendly and withstands temperature extremes well.

To install the frame, you can use two types of metal profiles:

rack - 50x50
guide - 50x40

They are fastened with special self-tapping screws - "bugs".

First you need to apply markings for the frame on the wall and podium. Then, with the help of "bugs", fix the guide profiles along it so that a parallelepiped is obtained. To strengthen the structure, you can use a rack profile, it should be placed across, the interval is 25 cm. After that, it is formed inner part firebox frame. In order to calculate everything correctly, it is necessary to take into account the dimensions of the fireplace itself, along with the inner lining with heat-resistant tiles or other similar material.

Plasterboard sheathing and patching

Drywall is one of the simplest and cheapest materials. Its only drawback is that its installation should be provided for when the layout of the premises and repairs are still underway. Because of this, the electric fireplace cannot be moved to another location or adjusted.

When the frame is completed, it is necessary to sheathe it with sheets of drywall. However, before that, it is better to conduct electrical wiring. Then you can start cutting sheets of drywall. The recommended sheet thickness is 12 mm. They are fixed with screws using a screwdriver. Before starting the sheathing, it is important to reinforce all corners with perforated galvanized corners.

All joints between sheets must be puttied with sealant. After, all surfaces are primed, then puttied. It is important not to forget to make special holes near the body of the electric furnace. Underestimating the importance of ventilation is one of the most common mistakes when installing fireplaces. She leads to stagnation air masses, which can cause moisture to accumulate and overheat the fireplace.
The repair is almost completed, now that the fireplace frame is ready, there is only one stage left - decorating the hearth. There are several options here:

WD paint. It can be applied with a brush or roller.
Textured plaster applied with a spatula.
Artificial stone, which is held with a special glue.

One of the interesting original solutions for the design of the hearth - the use of scraps parquet board. By decorating the fireplace with pieces of wood that differ in color and texture, you can create unique compositions. At the end, the entire structure is varnished.

Sometimes, in the manufacture of a plasterboard portal, facing is used instead of plaster. ceramic tile. It is believed that such portals most realistically imitate traditional fireplaces.

Making an electric fireplace with your own hands is quite simple, it is only important to have a desire and a bit of imagination. Such a hearth is in many ways better than a purchased one, because it was designed and decorated by the owner himself and reflects his personality.