How to choose a fireplace for a fireplace

The fireplace is a beautiful and useful invention of mankind. Performing the function of the heater, it provides a living space with warmth and a cozy atmosphere. In order for the design to cope with the task in the most efficient and economical way, it is necessary to take into account the features of the firebox for fireplaces . From the correctness of the parameters and criteria, the choice of the product depends entirely.

Material for the manufacture of firebox

The selection of a fireplace fireplace is primarily based on the qualitative characteristics of the material from which they are manufacturedyatsya. Today, products made of cast iron and steel are common. Despite the strength and acceptable performance of cast iron structures, many owners prefer to install steel furnaces lined with ceramics, chamotte or vermiculite. Let us consider in more detail the criteria and characteristics of each type of material.

Cast-iron firebox

Fireplaces for cast-iron fireplaces today are quite popular due to their low cost, optimal size and equipment level. They are available due to the fact that the production process of casting of cast iron is much easier than creating steel structures on an automated line.

The most famous brands:

• CHEMINEES PHILIPPE;
• BRISACH;
• GODIN.

Among the features of this material can be identified such as:

• resistance to temperature changes;
• good heat-accumulating ability, achieved due to wall thickness of 8-18 mm;
• increased the useful area of ​​the product, thanks to the provision of vertical and horizontal ribs;
• ability to heat space up to 300 m2;
• airtightness of the combustion chamber.

However, manufacturers of cast iron furnaces are less likely to update the model range than manufacturers of steel structures, due to which they all have standardized properties and are rarely amenable to changes.

Steel firebox

Steel fireplaces and fireboxes, the prices for which significantly exceed the cast-iron products, fully justify the costs. This kind of material is suitable for designer fireplaces, which differ in originality, as they have various shapes and dimensions. Among other features of the steel firebox it can be distinguished which as:

• simplicity in operation and maintenance;
• no limitations in size, due to which they are universal and suitable for any design of the room;
• constant improvement by manufacturers, to improve the quality characteristics;
• multifunctionality.

The most famous brands:

• Seguin;
• KFD;
• KAW-MET.

Choosing a fireplace fireplace as

An important parameter that determines the choice of a fireplace for a home fireplace is its type. Today, there are two types of furnace device:

• closed type;
• open type.

When choosing fireplaces, furnaces, , , it is necessary to take into account the design features, since this element provides the main function - heating. Depending on the type of furnace, the solutions for the design, installation of the hull, material for finishing, etc. will vary.

Open fireplace mantel

This type of furnace is a simple heating structure, which is open to the side of the heated space. There are various solutions, where the product can open both in one direction, and in several. For example, the models of the manufacturer Edil Kamin NK75, K Tondo, K 75 S, K Quadro and K 102 are one-sided, and Maxi, K75DS and Midi have an angular structure. All open fireboxes are made of heat-resistant material - chamotte, volcanic pumice, etc.

Such a fireplace can heat the living room with the natural energy of the hearth, so it loses in intensity of efficiency - depending on the size of the fireplace of the fireplace , the indicator varies from 15 to 30%.

Consider advantages of open design:

• heating is accomplished by radiant heat, which is useful for humans;
• product functionality;
• aesthetic appeal, thanks to the ability to observe the "live" fire in the house;
• the open furnace is more harmoniously looked in a classical style of facing, rather than closed;
• rapid heating of heated space.

Disadvantages of open firebox:

• low efficiency;
• due to the fact that the furnace has a large section of the chimney and operates with free air access, this design bears heat loss - most of the heat flies into the pipe;
• due to unlimited air resource, in an open firebox, the firewood burns extremely quickly, which entails financial losses;
• in the facing of the furnace is often used heat-resistant brick, which has heat capacity and poorly gives heat to the outside;
• in this type of product formed a thick layer of ash and soot, so the owner's shoulders are also labor-intensive cleaning of the fireplace;
• with prolonged use of the fireplace, oxygen burns out quickly enough, so you need to open the windows and force the air into the room.

Closed fireplace fireplace

The fireplace with the closed firebox wins on efficiency, in comparison with the previous variant. The principle of operation of such a design is based on heating the living space with air, which heats up inside the lining of the fireplace - between the walls of the structure and the furnace. This convection gap intensively heats the room, and has a high efficiency - up to 90%.

Similar performance is seen in the models of Stile, SUPRA, Forte, Status and Titano. In addition, many products of closed type are equipped with an additional system of firewood smoldering. It provides a long and efficient heating space for 10 hours, when only one fuel tab is made. Regulation of this process is possible due to a special handle, which increases / reduces the air supply to the chamber.

Advantages of closed firebox:

• wide range of products;
• is economical in use due to its high efficiency;
• long service life due to the possibility of replacing parts without dismantling the fireplace;
• because of the lack of risk of fire entering the room, high fire safety is provided;
• ash is collected in the ash pan, not polluting the living space;
• closed structures are less demanding on the quality and structure of the chimney than open fireboxes;
• there are models with a small weight - from 150 kg;
• possibility to control the combustion process by special systems made of heat-resistant steel and cast iron - materials that retain heat for a long time;
• the closed furnace is safe in use, due to what it can be left unattended;
• low sensitivity to windy gusts or drafts;The
• furnace operates in stable mode.

Disadvantages closed type construction:

• impossible to behold open fire;
• in economical models, the glass is narrow enough, which reduces the view of the hearth and requires more frequent cleaning;
• is a fairly laborious installation;
• quality products have a high cost.

The choice depending on the capacity of the fireplace insert

The power of the furnace is the main parameter that determines the feasibility of the purchase. For the correct choice of the product, it is necessary to calculate the volume of the room, which needs to be heated. And also determine the purpose of using the fireplace - as a basic or additional heating device.

The power of the furnace determines parameters such as:

• product diameter;
• weight;
• length of the chimney.

To calculate the space of a room, adhere to such criteria:

1. If the living space has an area of ​​50-110 m2, then the optimal furnace should produce a power of 10-11 kW.
2. For a large-scale installation, take 1 kW of power per 10 m2 of heated area per 1 kW.
3. Accordingly, for an area of ​​110-150 m2, a fireplace furnace with a power of 11-15 kW will be required, etc.

Important! If you do not decide to choose between different types of fireboxes, then always lean towards the model where the indicator is smaller. Since in practice the design heats the room more than the claimed one, therefore the energy will be used rationally.

Glass in the fireplace hearth

The door is an important element in the construction of any firebox. Often, it is made of crystal ceramics or refractory quartz glass, so that the product can withstand a temperature rise up to 800 ° C.Consider the main parameters that glass doors possess.

Features of the glass in the furnace:

• , depending on the model and the manufacturer of the product, the heat-resistant glass can be flat( EdilKamin Line), double-bar( Don Bar) or polyhedral( EdilKamin Poli);
• in cast-iron furnaces, the glass door always opens sideways, and in models of steel there can be a counterweight mechanism that will lift the glass at the request of the owner so that he can enjoy the kind of fire;
• there are products where the furnace has 4 glass sides, which can also rise upwards, exposing the hearth;
• many models are equipped with an air-cleaning system of glass, which automatically cleans the door with a stream of air inside the furnace.

Important! Manufacturers represent only two types of lift mechanism for firebox - chain and lever. The latter is considered more reliable and less prone to clogging when using a fireplace.

Selection of a firebox by the manufacturer

Many companies engaged in the production of fireplace inserts have firmly won their place in the market segment. They have gained a reputation, popularity and are distinguished by the introduction of individual innovations, which are valued by buyers. Consider the main manufacturers of firebox for the fireplace.

Supra by Supra

All products of this company meet the quality and safety requirements. Today Supra is the leader in the number of sales of closed fireboxes in the world. Features of brand products:

• closed models are made of alloy steel or high-quality cast iron, additionally being supplied with fragments of chamotte plates;
• technological development of specialists allowed to equip furnaces with a "prolonged decay" system;
• all Supra models are equipped with fireproof glass, making the use of the fireplace safe;
• products have a counterweight lifting mechanism of glass that provides an open fire effect;
• most of the furnaces from the manufacturer are equipped with a smoke box, due to which it is possible to operate the structure without fear of smoke from the room;
• Supra offers various models - bay window, frontal, rounded, etc.

Furnaces of Ferlux

All products of this manufacturer are made of high quality cast iron and provide reliable heating of the room. Consider the main features of Ferlux:

• trademark products are resistant to oxidation and deformation;
• have high efficiency - up to 80% of
• all design fragments are easily replaced, due to which repairs can be carried out without dismantling the fireplace;
• products are easy to use and maintain.

Axes from Axis

The products of this French brand are presented in a wide range and variations of performance. In addition, Axis furnaces have a number of advantages:

• models of fireplace inserts provide for almost complete combustion of fuel, after which the chamber remains clean, and carbon monoxide is released into the air;
• all furnaces are equipped with a convection cover, where there are 4 holes for the exit of warm air;
• , some Axis products are equipped with a heated air supply system via removable dampers;
• possibility of mounting the furnace on a concrete slab or floor without laborious installation;
• manufacturer's chambers have portable legs;
• products are equipped with a dual ignition function;
• doors in products can automatically close and hide inside the furnace.

Recommendations for selecting a fireplace insert are shown in the video: