Furnish your own fireplace

• The building level for marking the surface and controlling the smoothness of the masonry.
• Capacity for kneading compounds.
• Toothed spatula.
• Smooth spatulas of different sizes for application and grouting of solutions on the surface.
• Rubber hammer for fitting tiles to the fireplace wall.
• For cutting out ceramic tiles you will need tile cutter .
• Pencil and ruler.
• Rubber or metal grater .
• Electric drill with a nozzle-mixer.
• Inserts to maintain the smoothness of the seams. They often use pieces of ceramic tiles of the same thickness.
• Rule.
• Grinder with circles on a stone.
• An extension will be required if the fireplace is designed for a brick clutch
• Sponge and soft cloth.
• Knife for cleaning seams.
• Metal brush .
• Of the auxiliary materials will need to purchase a primer, heat-resistant plaster mixture, the same adhesive for tiles, as well as grout for seams.

When all tools and materials are ready, you need to work on the surface of the fireplace.

• First you need to use the knife to deepen the joints between the bricks, approximately by 12 ÷ 15 mm.
• Then, the seams and the entire surface of the fireplace are cleaned from the dust deposit .If whitewash or paint was previously applied on the walls, the of its is also scraped off with the metal brush .
• The surface and seams must be primed with a primer for better adhesion with the plaster and trowelling mixture.

Possible types of fireplace finish

The fireplace surface can be arranged in several ways and with the use of different materials.

Update of joints

It happens so, that after cleaning the masonry and coating its surface primer it turns out, that it has quite a decent appearance. In this case, you can only update the seam sealing material.

bricklaying As seams are already cleaned and treated with a primer, it is only necessary to dissolve the heat-resistant grout mortar and fill them with a construction syringe. Then it remains to smooth the solution with a crocheting, giving the seams a neat shape.

Tiles facing

Different material - is used for facing the fireplace. It can be porcelain stoneware, ceramic glazed or unglazed tile, natural stone veneer, gypsum bulk tile imitating various rock types, and other types.

For each type of tile, it is necessary to choose a suitable adhesive that will be well combined with both the wall surface and the facing material. In addition, the adhesive composition must necessarily be heat-resistant in order to easily tolerate high-temperature fluctuations.

• When the tiles and glue are purchased and the surface is cleaned and primed, the walls of the fireplace need to be leveled with plaster before proceeding to the masonry.

• If the walls need to be leveled to the ideal, then they are placed on the beacons or reinforced mesh is fixed to the wall.
• If the wall is leveled by beacons, then the plaster solution is poured onto the wall and leveled by the rule. If it is not planned to impose a thick layer of plaster, then it is applied with a wide spatula and evenly distributed over the surface.

• The tiles are laid only after the surface of the walls has completely dried out and the collects the strength.
• The adhesive on the wall is applied with a notched trowel, which leaves grooves that promote good adhesion of the tiles to the surface.

• Masonry starts from the bottom row, gradually rising .
• The first row is displayed according to the level to the ideal horizontal, since the accuracy of the entire masonry will depend on it. This applies to all tiles that are laid orderly , and not in a chaotic mess.

• To achieve the same size of horizontal and vertical seams, each master uses its own methods. Someone places pieces of tile between the rows, others use special crosses, but they will only work if it is planned to make the seams quite small, not more than 3 ÷ 5 mm.
• If the seams of the are to be wide, thin wooden or plastic slats are used to maintain evenness and uniform distance. They are convenient for those that the have a sufficiently long length, the that greatly facilitates the work.

• When the masonry is finished, its should be left to dry. In that period, when the glue still does not dry up, but will grasp well, you need to carefully remove the alignment bars or other inserts from the inter-rows.
• Then, after the glue has dried completely, the seams are sealed with a grout, which is applied with a rubber spatula or with a building syringe, depending on their width.

If the seams are wide, then they are given the desired shape with the help of a shank.

• joint When filling the joints and with the grouting, the grout can accidentally fall directly onto the tile. Its should be removed immediately with a damp sponge and a dry soft cloth.
• After hardening of the trowel, tile or stone, , if desired, , can be covered with heat-resistant fireplace lacquer.

Video: an interesting version of the combined furnish of the fireplace with tiles

Tiled finishes of fireplaces

The facing of fireplaces with tiles is a kind of art, the technology of which has been used for centuries and has shown its effectiveness.

The advantage of this method is that due to its design and the material from which the tiles are made, the stove or fireplace, lined with them, can keep the heat received in two or even threetimes longer than ordinary brickwork. This factor contributes to fuel economy, and means , and means at home.

The slab is a tile with a protrusion in the form of a hollow box on the rear side, which can have different depths. This structural element is called the by the .It serves not only as a heat collector, but also for securing a tile in the masonry of the fireplace during its erection.

. For the convenience of laying and the formation of a single surface, the tiles are manufactured in different types that complement each other. - is not only flat tiles, but also angled, as well as skirting and elements for cornices andshelves.

are produced. The tiles are available with various relief patterns and paintings, covered with glaze or without .Previously, all tiles were always signed by hand, and today there are also author's samples, which are executed in the singular. Sometimes on the walls of fireplaces and stoves with the help of tiles showed different stories in pictures.

have been used. For the production of tiles special refractory clay with the addition of pure quartz sand is used, therefore this material is environmentally friendly and does not emit any fumes hazardous to human health. In addition, thanks to the design of the tiles, the surface of the fireplace, finished with them, is not too hot. It gradually gives heat to the room, therefore in it for a long time keeps a comfortable temperature.

Video: interesting information on the types and properties of the tiles

Masonry of the tiles

Traditionally, the tiles are mounted together with the construction of the walls of the fireplace. The wire, fixed to each of them, is embedded in the seams of the masonry, and among themselves the tiles behind the handle are connected by metal staples.

The diagram clearly shows how the tiles are fastened together on the back and how they are embedded in the wall.

1 - Clay box on the rear side of the - ramp , often has one or two holes. They can be installed metal pin or directly fixed wire.

2 - Steel pin.

3 - Wire embedded in the seams of masonry.

4 - Staples fastening the tiles to each other over the sides of the tillers .

The work is carried out in stages:

• The first step is simply to lay the lower row of tiles, without fixing them in the seams of the masonry. This process ss pr is designed to determine the required number of elements on each side of the fireplace. Laying out the tiles start with corners, and the is possible with the that the will have to one of the middle blocks to do a few already. Having determined the number and size of parts, you can proceed to the final masonry.
• Like all other facing tiles, tiles are mounted from the bottom row of the , starting with the corner elements. Beforehand, a soft wire is screwed onto the holes in the ramp or onto the pin. Between themselves behind the edges of the , the tillers, on the back, tie the clasps. The edges of the front tile of the tiles are smeared with a solution of glue and tightly pressed against each other.
• The space around the of the is filled with a solution of clay mixed with small pieces of bricks, or filled with a dry backfill. It is important to make sure that no air bubbles remain in the solution.
• The twisted wire is laid on top of the laid brick row. Then a solution is laid on it, and the next row of bricks is laid on top. Here it is important to make sure that the of the is firmly pressed against the brick wall of the fireplace.
• At the top of the first row of tiles, the following is installed, in the same way as the first, but it is additionally attached to the previous row by vertical staples or rods.
• It is desirable that the seams between the rows of , both vertical and horizontal, be minimal, so for horizontal rows they should not be more than 3 mm, and for vertical rows - 1 mm. If they are formed, they are closed with a grout on a gypsum base.
• If tiles are laid out already ready fireplace, then the wire is fixed for nails or hooks, hammered or screwed into the brickwork. Even the smallest hole around them needs to be covered with plaster.

Video: one of the options for installing tiles

Decorative plaster

In addition to finishing the fireplace with tiles, the transformation of this interior detail with the help of decorative plaster is very popular, which can imitate stones of different breeds or reproduce a variety of relief patterns.

At this mote nt pr several types of decorative plaster are produced, which are manufactured on different bases.

• The acrylic-based plaster mixture also includes the specific percentage of mineral additives. This kind of plaster withstands a temperature reaching up to 90 ÷ 95 degrees, and can be used to tidy up the operating fireplace.
• The most affordable option for finishing the fireplace is mineral plaster, which is produced on the basis of cement .It easily withstands high temperatures and therefore will serve a sufficiently long period. Finishing material on a mineral basis is perfectly suitable for decorating a fireplace, which is used throughout the cold period.
• Silicate plaster is made on the basis of liquid glass, which is produced in different shades, that gives its advantage over other materials, for which needs to select dyes. This coating is vapor-permeable , and means - is able to "breathe", which increases its service life. Withstands such plaster sufficiently high temperatures, so it may well be applicable for finishing fireplaces.

In addition to classification by type of substrate, plaster can be divided into textured and smooth. A material containing marble chips is produced, which, when applied to the , gives the a defined relief image .If a thin stucco powder is used, it can be wiped to a shine, adding different shades, and creating a surface that can not be distinguished from a natural marble cladding.

• Preparation of the base for the application of decorative plaster is made in the same way as under the tiling. The surface should be smooth and well dried.
• Then, a solution of decorative plaster is mixed.
• If an option is chosen which has a crumb in its composition , then it is applied with a wide spatula, distributing the solution vertically, horizontally or in a circular motion.

• If the material is applied uniformly and the finish is planned in several tones, then on the another with a spatula is applied a different plaster. Movements that predetermine the direction of the texture pattern, the required relief is displayed.

You can achieve the desired texture by using any auxiliary tools and tools - this can be a brush, spatula, sponge, plastic bag or even many other household items having defined pattern.

• can also be used. Another option for decorating the fireplace with decorative plaster is to apply a spatula on a flat surface of relief strokes. Further, on top of already dried plaster, it will be possible to apply the chosen color shade, and is possible, and not only - the main thing is that they harmoniously combined with each other.
• Venetian plaster is a flat, polished surface, which creates an imitation finish with a polished stone.

- The work is carried out on a damp surface applied and a flattened plain plaster. Parts of the solution are toned in different shades and applied to the plastered fireplace walls in wide and narrow strokes, and then triturated and carefully smoothed, creating the desired picturesque pattern.

- Next, the plaster is allowed to dry for a short time and is read by its with a metal spatula or a trowel with a width of approximately 80 ÷ 100 mm, to obtain a shine of natural polished stone.

If it is decided to decorate the fireplace with decorative plaster, then the master has a wide choice of various techniques. The advantage of this method is that the plaster surface can always be transformed by applying another shade, relief or on top of the tile. Therefore, for those who prefer to often make changes in the its interior, decorative plaster is exactly what is required.

Video: fireplace decoration in the technique of Venetian plaster

Fireplaces in the interior

Several examples of fireplace finishes can be cited as examples in different techniques. Perhaps after similar familiarization some owners easier to choose the option that is more suitable for a particular interior.

The fireplace, finished with stone veneer, will look perfect in the interior, decorated in any style. The material is made from stone of different species, which is cut into a thin tile having a thickness of 7 ÷ 10 mm .The material is sufficiently fragile, so an experienced master should work with it, otherwise the tile can easily be spoiled. Stone veneer - is a natural material, therefore the is as high as it is on the .

Imitation under natural stone is also made. This finishing material is made on the basis of gypsum and tinted under various stone rocks. If the tile imitating a stone veneer is large enough, then it also needs to work extremely carefully, the more its area, the more fragile it is.

As natural material, and its imitation, it is possible to decorate with fireplaces , and actively operated. The material is heavy by weight, therefore the basis for its laying should have certain rigidity , and it is also important to choose the correct adhesive composition.

In the this case for the design of the fireplace is applied combined version of materials that are harmoniously matched to each other. The lower part is lined with ceramic terracotta tiles, which is perfectly combined with with heavy oak mantels, that gives a solid foundation.

Upper chimney fireplace section is decorated with decorative plaster of light color. It makes this part of the building more light , does not heavier the interior. The color of the upper section is closer to the ceiling tone, and the lower one is in perfect harmony with the shades of the floor and the furniture made in the English style. For the of this interior, such decoration of the fireplace - is an ideal option, which seamlessly fits both the color scheme and the style solution.

Fireplace tiled with tiles, perfectly is suitable for modern living room or bedroom interior. It has a rather modest design, without stucco elements and heavy stone foundation. The fireplace looks light structure thanks to the perfectly selected tender pistachio color and snow-white design.

All material used in the design of the of this fireplace, is quite possible to be purchased in modern construction stores. For the manufacture of the fireplace portal, both gypsum elements and those made of polyurethane are used, which are covered with a white heat-resistant paint on top or are masked over for with a variety of different breeds, and varnished on top.

Ceramic tiles can also be purchased in various colors and sizes by picking up the of its for the color gamut and style of the entire interior of the room. This design of the fireplace is quite possible to do by yourself, if you carefully prepare the surface and carefully approach the masonry.

are often used for decoration. This decoration is suitable for fireplaces located in spacious rooms, decorated in classic, romantic and other styles close to them. The surface of the fireplace is covered with decorative plaster in the Venetian style, to which the elements of decoration of portals in the form of columns and relief ornaments are perfect. These parts are made of polyurethane and are glued to the prepared surface with polymer-based adhesives. Above, they are tinted under a common surface, or they are colored white or with a dark color.

Design in this style gives the fireplace respectability and solidity. It can become the central decorative element of the interior of the hall, to which all other stylistic details are selected.

If there is a desire to make the fireplace lining yourself, the main - correctly calculate its strength and creative capabilities. To do this, is recommended to start with a sketch of the future structure, which will make it easier to evaluate volumes of work and determine the amount of material required.

To achieve the desired result, without spoiling the cardboard rigid cardboard on a small sheet , you can perform a "dress rehearsal" of all the planned work of , starting with the primer and finishing with the final step, strictly adhering to the chosen design technology.