Fireplaces made ​​of artificial stone with their hands

man Friendship Fire is known since the beginning of human history.Even when primitive people used the flame not only for cooking, but also get more pleasure from his contemplation.Ever since then, when mankind has learned to build yourself and your family at home, they moved to his house fire.To date, a fireplace in the house, it is very fashionable and relevant.In order for it to build, do not need small investment, but the result is worth it.

Species fireplaces

There are several types of fireplaces:

• electrical,
• gas,
• decorative,
• wood.

Nowadays, electric fireplaces have become popular because they simulate real fireplaces are easy to install, consume little power, and are safe.The disadvantage is that they can not be used for heating.

Gas fireplaces are very similar to wood, they also present an open flame, but natural gas is used as fuel.Require careful attitude, moreover, may emit an unpleasant odor if fed low-quality gas.

Decorative fireplaces set for beauty, they can not drown.They come in different sizes and shapes, they are selected to design the house in any color.And to sit in front of this fireplace also brings pleasure.

Wood-burning fireplaces are installed in private homes, cottages, bungalows.For furnaces used wood or charcoal.The main drawback - it is not cheap, because it requires the use of expensive heat-resistant materials.However, this type of fireplace is the most beautiful and is the most popular.

With such a variety of options it is important to not only choose the right fireplace for you, but also to decorate it properly.For this purpose different types of decorative materials.

Types of materials for decorating

There are many solutions:

• tiles;
• decorative plaster;
• natural stone;
• artificial stone.

Today fireplace decoration of ceramic tiles, is as popular as the stone.It looks very stylish and beautiful.tile trim not only transform the appearance, but also retain the warmth and comfort of home.However, for the installation of ceramic adhesive and grout used that do not tolerate high temperatures, so in practice this type of decoration is constantly in need of repair.

special feature is the decorative plaster imitation of any material, including stone.Decorative plaster are sustainable and do not harm human health, the material is durable, it does not absorb moisture and odors, is zvukopoglaschayuschim.For all its merits, decorative plaster is not suitable for wood-burning fireplaces, as soot, hitting the surface of the plaster is not washed away, leaving ugly stains.

fireplaces, decorated with natural stone look luxurious, they include granite fireplaces, marble or white stone.However, this embodiment has drawbacks, firstly, is expensive in comparison with an artificial stone for a fireplace, whose price is much lower.Second, if a decorative fireplace, it can break under the weight of natural stone.Therefore, most often used to decorate the artificial stone.

Advantages and disadvantages of artificial stone

Artificial stone is made by means of several technologies, which, depending on the physical properties of the material.The most common is casting from plaster and gipsopolimerov.This method allows you to create a beautiful but unreliable stone.Gypsum soak moisture, it does not tolerate high temperatures and is easily broken even by slight mechanical shock.

is quite another thing - block-making.This method involves the use of this rock dust, and special polymer stabilizers.The options are many exterior design, from imitation of natural stone to the ordinary red brick.At the same time the physical properties of many surpass even marble and granite.

This artificial stone is highly durable, resistant to any mechanical damage, can withstand temperatures of up to 10,000 Celsius, is not afraid of moisture, it does not emit toxic fumes.In addition, the thermal conductivity of the artificial stone is small enough, it quickly heats up and cools down quickly.

When tangible advantages, have the material and its drawbacks:

• responds poorly to treatment,
• interacts only with specific adhesives,
• quickly removed from the production (to replace the damaged stone is impossible, so you have to completely redo the fireplace portal made of artificialstone).

However, this material is considered to be one of the best options for decorating fireplaces, as it allows to realize a variety of design ideas and at the same time requires a minimum investment.How does the fireplace decoration artificial stone, photo shows well.

Mount Technology

Fireplaces made of artificial stone, as opposed to all the others, suggest a very serious approach to the installation procedure.This is primarily due to the fact that although the material and durable, but quite naughty.Depending on the type of fire, the procedure is significantly different, so consider in detail each of the options.

easiest performed decorating electric fireplaces.For these purposes, buy ready-made portal desired width rather that simply glued to the wall surface.For gluing fit any liquid nails.In this case, the wall surface of the portal and need degreased with acetone, alcohol or solvent.Given a rich variety of forms and types of portals, extra decoration is needed.If desired, use gipsopolimere stone.

Decorating of fireplace stone artificial analogues in gas - a laborious process.Combustion gas temperature 3000 C total (three times lower than that of wood), nevertheless has a need to use heat-resistant elements.Completely assemble the furnace from the furnace tiles or bricks washed away there, but to impose a conventional silicate fireplace need.Brick is placed on a conventional cement mortar (2 parts sand, 1 part cement).For decoration is suitable as a conventional ready-portal, and plates made of artificial stone.Plates appropriate to use, if the fireplace has a custom design, or raised above ground level.

Decorative fireplaces are an exact copy of this, except that they do not have a chimney.Accordingly, they can not drown.Use in this case, a standard portal is inappropriate, since with the help of plates creates a lot more different variants.For example, different shades or combined form.In addition, the artificial stone facing of the fireplace is often performed in the monolithic style when decorating the fireplace elements used in the design of the entire wall.It should be noted that this method is only relevant if the fireplace is located in the middle of the wall.The angular embodiments it will not look.

most time-consuming process - decorated wood-burning fireplaces.Here it is necessary to adhere to a clear instruction:

• after the installation of a fireplace, it is necessary to impose a heat-resistant oven bricks (baked clay), the use of tiles is not allowed, since the stone glue does not interact with its glossy surface,
• masonry using mortar,which consists of 2 parts sand, 1 part of asbestos and 1 part cement,
• the next day after the work is done, the fireplace should be well to heat (at least one hour), it is to masonry finally became,
• adhesive layerartificial stone should be minimal, so you need to create the most even and smooth surface, this surface of the brick sand (leaving nodules of the solution, and uneven brick),
• clay-cement dust would interfere with the normal process of gluing, so the surface is wiped first with a dry cloth, thendegreased with acetone or solvent (alcohol is impractical because a large amount of material),
• below the surface is treated with antifungal protection and primer mixtures (average drying time 10-15 minutes),
• only then proceed to gluing the portal or individual plates, whileyou must apply the adhesive mixture directly onto the artificial stone,
• use the fireplace can be 30 hours.

Tip: liquid nails, as a rule, heat-resistant, however, the high temperature could melt the material, so it is best to use a special mixture, including Master Plitopol, ANSERGLOB BCX 35, Master Flex, Ceresit CM 17.

manufacturers of artificial stone

production technology is relatively inexpensive, so a lot of Russian private companies have occupied this niche.The quality of their products is practically the same, and all the differences boil down solely to the appearance and price.Select the real leaders is difficult, since it depends on the region.

Nevertheless, the market is presented and European products, which differs from domestic, not only on price but also on quality.Among the recognized world leaders should highlight:

• HI-MACS,
• STARON,
• DuPont.

Brand HI-MACS by LG Corporation.Offered stone is strong enough, resistant to high temperatures and is presented in a rich assortment of species.The main emphasis is on durability, damage the HI-MACS Stone mechanically impossible.

STARON belongs to Samsung's.With all the advantages of the previous version, the price is slightly less.The only significant disadvantage of limiting operating temperature of 1600 Celsius.For wood-burning fireplace that is not enough.

absolute leader is the DuPont concern.Despite the very high cost of production, artificial stone of this brand is truly one of the most reliable.It is easy to care, does not fade, do not burst from the heat, it does not change color over time.