Do-it-yourself electric fireplace installation. Making an electric fireplace with your own hands. The procedure for self-installation of an electric fireplace

The fireplace is, was and will be a cozy element of any home. Previously, only people with very large financial capabilities could afford it, but now, due to the diversity building materials it became available to almost everyone. In some houses, it is used as a leading heat generator and burns throughout the cold period. For others, this is only part of the decor, to create a warm and cozy room.

This is a device that does not differ in appearance from the real one, adjusted only for the use of electrics instead of combustible material (wood, coal, pellets). Most often, it is used in ready-made houses, where they do not have the opportunity, or do not want to do dirty repairs for the present. Or in multi-apartment apartments, where house floors and the presence of neighbors from above instead of a roof make construction impossible.

The structure of the electric fireplace

Its main component is a tubular electric heater, popularly called a heating element. This tube is filled with an electrical insulator that is able to conduct heat.

stationery knife - for cutting drywall
centimeter ruler - for measurements
screwdriver
perforator
hammer
plumb lines
level
trowel and spatula
metal scissors

Materials:

Drywall
drywall screws (small), large screws for fixing the resulting structures to the wall, dowels
metal profiles
plaster
net
materials for external finishing works

After preparing all the necessary materials and tools, we get to work:

With the help of metal profiles we make a frame. We twist with screws. The profiles themselves are easily cut with scissors for metal.
We fix the frame we built to the wall using a perforator, dowels and long screws.
A hearth is attached to the place for the firebox.
metal structure sheathed with plasterboard. Screws in drywall are recessed by 1-2 mm.
We plaster the portal, the corners are glued with mesh for their evenness and further resistance to shock and damage.
We are waiting for the plaster to dry, using the selected facing material decorate our fireplace.

Fireplace - lovely decorative element, bringing 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 think appearance and fireplace surround. 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 are too easily deformed 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 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 is its resistance to 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, the inner part of the frame for the firebox is formed. 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.

Video: Do-it-yourself portal for an electric fireplace (step by step instructions)

To make additional heating in the apartment functional and at the same time unusual, it is recommended to use electric fireplaces. These devices are quite easy to install in the wall and connect to the home network. Further, for readers of the information portal "" will be provided the simplest instruction about how to properly install an electric fireplace in an apartment with your own hands!

What should be considered before installation work?

Before you make a purchase of a heater and proceed with its installation, it is necessary to solve several important questions:

What is the main purpose of the device?
Where will the hearth be located?
What design will it have?
How will the electric fireplace be connected to the network?

We will briefly tell you about each nuance of self-assembly.

So, the first thing you need to decide is what this data will be used for in the house and apartment. Most often, the installation of an electric fireplace is carried out for decorative purposes - to make the living room more comfortable or to give the bedroom a romantic atmosphere. However, this does not mean that such a device will not perform its main function - space heating. The power of an electric fireplace usually varies between 1-2 kW, which is quite enough to heat a room of 20 square meters. meters. If any room is missing central system heating, such equipment can save the situation and make the room warm.

The next, no less important issue is the location of the electric fireplace in the room. It is up to you to decide where it is best to place it, but consider the following requirements:

Direct hit sun rays and bright light bulbs will degrade the quality of artificial fire, so it is better to place the device in a darkened corner or drywall niche.
If you choose a suspended design option (more on that later), the hearth should hang no lower than at a height of 1 meter from the floor. Otherwise, the rest of the interior elements will close it.
Complementing the previous requirement, it should be noted that the place of installation and connection of the electric fireplace must be such that it is the "highlight" of the interior of the room. Various cabinets, paintings and figurines should complement the electric heater, but not dominate it in design.
If the room is spacious, it is necessary to install an electric fireplace in the center, but not in a secluded corner.
There should be a socket near the selected connection point so as not to pull a new line from the junction box.
We strongly do not recommend placing a fireplace under the TV, because. heat generation may adversely affect the operation of the screen.
If you want to make an interior according to Feng Shui, place a fire in one of the corners. It is believed that negative energy accumulates in the corners of the room, which is neutralized by the positive energy of the corner electric fireplace.
In the event that the area of \u200b\u200bthe room is small, but you still want to install this species electric heater, buy a corner case. In this case, you "kill two birds with one stone": save free space and make your dream come true.

The third question in a row is the choice of a suitable design, depending on the installation location of the electric fireplace in the apartment with your own hands. It should be noted here that electric fireplaces are corner, wall-mounted, built-in and attached (all 4 options are shown in the photo below). As for the last two options, the attached hearth does not need to be mounted on the wall, but it is enough just to move it to a suitable place, which makes it much easier installation work. With the installation of a built-in electric fireplace, things are more complicated, because. for installation, it is necessary to make a special drywall construction or a niche in the wall. The advantage of a portal heater is that it can be lined with natural stone or wood, making it look like a real wood-burning fireplace.

Well, the last nuance is the way to connect the electric fireplace to the mains in the apartment. Everything is quite simple here - due to the low power, the fireplace can be connected to a regular outlet, the main thing is that powerful electrical appliances should not be connected to this electrical point anymore. Pulling a new line from the junction box is not entirely reasonable, unless, of course, the place for the electric heater is not chosen at the stage overhaul. If you're really thinking about installing an electric fireplace while you're renovating your apartment, run one separate outlet in the right place and you won't know the hassle.

The wires are visible - the socket is installed incorrectly

Having dealt with all the nuances, you can proceed to connecting the electric fireplace to the network with your own hands, which we will talk about later.

Main Process

Consider how to properly connect an electric fireplace to the network using an example step by step photo instructions. For you, we will provide a more sophisticated technology when you need to install a portal housing (built into the wall).

Is your home so lacking in warmth and the desired comfort? Why not install an electric fireplace, which is quite possible to do it yourself. And we will gladly help you with advice!

It is this highlight that will become the main difference between your home and others belonging to your relatives and friends or neighbors. And it will be doubly pleasant if you do everything yourself. It is not difficult to make a modern electric fireplace with your own hands - this is proved by the example of the masters who personally installed such architectural novelties at home.

The advantage of this approach is that you do not hire professional craftsmen and don't spend enough money.

It will take you much less money to create a favorite place to relax with your own hands. Such an electric hearth framed by a false fireplace can be installed both in a private mansion and in an ordinary apartment building.

When choosing materials for your electric fireplace, you can bet on electric hearths that accurately mimic the flames of a traditional fireplace (), as well as on the efficiency of heat supply. So, we figured out the pluses. Let's get to work.

For beginners, the main tips of the masters will not be superfluous:

Such an electric fireplace looks best in a house made of wooden beam or in the country (although in the apartment the benefits of an electric fireplace will be no less).
If your room is not too large, then you can consider the option of installing a special corner fireplace.
Before proceeding with the installation of an electric fireplace, it is advisable to make a sketch and outline drawings with the desired dimensions.
Decide on the place where you would like to build a fireplace (there should be an outlet nearby). On the sides there should be at least a meter of free space.
In fact, there are many finishing options. It all depends on the style and color of your furniture and interior space.
You can decorate the fireplace with artificial stone. It won't require high costs and effort, and outwardly it will look great.
It is advisable to make an elevation for the fireplace and close it with a plastic plinth.
It is important that the dimensions of the electric hearth match the dimensions of the firebox (otherwise you risk not assembling your fireplace).
The most simple, affordable and convenient will be to make an electric fireplace from drywall sheets.
Drywall sheets are installed on top of a frame made of a metal profile or a wooden beam.
When installing the outlet, it is better to connect a switch to it. This will allow, if necessary, to turn it off without pulling it out of the socket.

You can make such an aristocratic decoration of the hall as an electric fireplace to your taste (choose both style and color). It will be easy enough to decide on the electrical component of the fireplace - the firebox. Moreover, it will not be necessary to do it yourself, but to buy it in a store. Therefore, you only have to take care of framing your electric fireplace and creating a metal profile for it.

Installing an electric fireplace with your own hands will not take so much time. You need:

Buy countertops and necessary materials(firebox, drywall, plastic plinth, nails, metal profile, metal scissors, water-based paint).
Assemble the portal frame.
Carry out electrical work.
"Sheath" the frame with sheets of drywall.
Putty and carry out the final alignment of the frame.
Seal up the seams.

And now in order. You bought a firebox in a store, and decided on the place where the fireplace will stand (just do not install a bulky structure in a small room). First you start working on the "pedestal" for the electric fireplace, and only then on the framing frame.

Do not forget to conduct communications in advance and resolve, if any, problems with electricity. You will also have to take care of ventilation for your electric furnace (it is better to buy a shallow and small electric furnace. Currently, the minimum depth is about 70 mm).

As soon as preparatory work completed, the metal profile is sheathed on top with a special material - drywall. It is not difficult to make an electric fireplace from drywall with your own hands - it will take no more than an hour. The same amount for sealing the entire outer surface.

Take a piece of countertop that is cut to the size you need. To do this, prepare an MDF material with a laminated protective layer (nothing will be terrible high temperatures, nor moisture). For a front fireplace, you cut a rectangular slab with an electric jigsaw (pentagonal for a corner fireplace). In this case, the area of \u200b\u200bthe pedestal must necessarily be larger than the area of your fireplace portal.

We make an elevation for the fireplace in the form of a rectangle from a profile (later it can be closed with a plastic plinth). Let's get to the frame. To do this, we prepare drywall (it is also not afraid of temperature changes) and work with a metal profile (we use a rack and a guide). The profile should be fastened with self-tapping screws of small length. You will also need metal scissors, a marker, a screwdriver and a screwdriver.

Do not forget that the entire wall area that your fireplace will occupy must be covered with heat-resistant material (asbestos sheet). Marking on the wall is easier to do with a marker, do not forget about using a level. Next, we fix the guide profiles according to the existing markings using dowels with nails and self-tapping screws (do not forget to reinforce the frame in the place where the electric furnace will stand).

the inside of the frame,

Doing inner part frame, keep in mind that the dimensions will increase due to the hearth itself and the sheathing. Even if it is a fairly thin heat-resistant tile, you will need to "fit" into the dimensions. In the manufacture of the chimney, a profile for partitions is used. The frame for beauty is made up to the ceiling (you can do without a chimney). Then you solve the issue with electrical wiring (if you haven’t decided before). Inside a homemade portal, it is better to wind the wire in a metal hose.

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 electrical appliance 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 inappropriate to use arrays natural wood or plastic, 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. The drywall sheet 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…