How to make an artificial fire for the stage. Do-it-yourself artificial fire for a fireplace

The fireplace is a source of pride. It has long been used for cooking and heating rooms during the cold season. Currently, it is more often used as a design attribute. Apartment owners often also want to install a fireplace, but this is almost impossible. This is why the electric fireplace was invented. It does not have to be purchased from finished form, or you can build it yourself.

Main components of an electric fireplace

An electric fireplace will perfectly decorate the interior of an apartment

Creating an electric fireplace with a living flame effect yourself is a labor-intensive process. But he's worth it. It will brighten up more than one evening for you. First of all, before you start building this unit, you need to figure out what its main components are. It includes two main elements: the hearth and the portal. The first is an electronic system in which flame combustion occurs. The second is the frame where the firebox or hearth is placed.

You can build the frame yourself.

It is recommended to purchase a firebox ready-made at any hardware store, but this is not necessary. It can also be done on your own.

You can also create a fireplace yourself, if you have all the necessary raw materials and tools.

There are a large number of options for building an electric fireplace on your own. But they are all united by these two elements, which are manufactured separately and then combined into one structure.

Corner or wall - where to install a false fireplace?

Carefully consider the location of the future structure, because after you build it, moving it to another location will be extremely problematic.

Experts advise making a mock-up of the structure and trying it on in different situations. A model can be created, for example, from cardboard with the exact dimensions of the fireplace.

There are several points to consider when choosing a location:

Making a portal

The fireplace layout is created depending on taste preferences, availability free space and financial capabilities

There are a huge number of different models of electric fireplaces and they are used for their manufacture. various materials. The electric fireplace portal can be made of plasterboard, stone, noble wood, chipboard, plywood and so on.

Scheme and dimensions

So, first you need to decide on the location future design. Then purchase or make your own electrical part hearth. Create detailed drawing and prepare all the raw materials and tools necessary for the work.

A false fireplace can come in different sizes and shapes

If the room has a small area, then the hearth should also be made small (up to 7 centimeters deep). Thus, the fireplace will be compact, and precious room space will be saved.

Another version of the false fireplace scheme

Materials and tools

Quantity necessary materials calculated individually. This is where a detailed drawing comes to the rescue. With its help, you can accurately calculate required amount drywall, fastening elements and so on.

Step-by-step instruction

Now that all the preparatory work has been completed, you can begin work on the construction of the portal.

As finishing material Not only tiles can protrude. You can clad the fireplace with stone, mosaic, stucco, and so on.

How to decorate - production of decorative firewood

Cardboard is rolled into tubes

Creating a dummy firewood yourself is not a difficult task.

Elements are connected to each other

They can be made from materials that everyone has on hand. As an example, we will look at firewood that is made from cardboard, glue, tape and paint.

Imitated logs need to be painted

Of course, decorative firewood can also be purchased ready-made. They just aren't cheap.

First, cut out a cardboard blank for firewood. Then glue this blank so that it resembles a log. Paint the resulting firewood and place it in the fireplace.

Decorative cardboard logs placed in a simulated hearth - cheap and cheerful

What to make a hearth from

The hearth is considered the heart of the electric fireplace. When the portal and artificial firewood have already been created, you can begin its construction. The fires can be ordinary or imitating a living flame. The first ones can be made using materials that anyone has at hand: candles, fabric, wire, wooden twigs. A living flame is made a little more complicated. Let's consider all the options.

From candles

Do not forget that candles do not produce simulated fire, but real fire, so you need to be extremely careful with it

If you put a lot of candles in the fireplace, you will create the illusion of a fire burning. Candles must be placed at different distances from each other and at different heights.

The disadvantage of this option is that candles smoke, so for light-colored fireplaces the use of candles is not recommended, since the top of the firebox will turn black.

From twigs, fabric and LED lamps

Red and yellow LEDs look very impressive

To create this type of fireplace, buy a diode light bulb socket that will randomly shimmer in red and yellow shades. Then, place tree branches in the fireplace and glue them together using construction glue. Slide the lampshade through from below and secure it to the branches.

Cut four pieces of 25 cm each from strong wire. Attach some of their ends to the branches, twist the others with each other at the top. The last step is to secure a light fabric, like chiffon or organza, over the pieces of wire.

Use a fabric that allows light to pass through while still hiding the wire frame and socket. Thick tulle will do. The main thing is that the material is uniform, without embroidery.

Garland, stones and lace fireplaces - hearth materials

The light from the garland penetrates through the transparent lace and creates the illusion of burning

Use thin lace. Thus, the illusion of a burning flame will be more realistic, since such simulated logs will better transmit the light emitted by the garland.

Aquarium, LEDs, red and yellow pebbles, shells - unusual decor for decoration

This version of the hearth looks very impressive and beautiful.

Run the LED strip along the edge of the bottom of the aquarium. Cover the bottom with shells and two-color pebbles. The latter, by the way, plays very important role. When the light hits the pebbles, it creates a good illusion of a burning flame.

The nuance of this type of fireplace is the hole in the aquarium through which you need to pass the wire from the diodes.

It must be done extremely carefully.

Live fire effect There are several options for creating the illusion of a living flame.

The simplest option is to reproduce a picture of fire from a TV screen, which is selected according to size and inserted into the fireplace portal.

Flame made from pieces of white silk

Hearth for an electric fireplace with a flame effect achieved by fluttering pieces of fabric from the air flow and illuminated by LEDs

Water vapor to create the illusion of flames

Diagram for creating a hearth for an electric fireplace in order to achieve a realistic live fire

It's pretty difficult option creating the illusion of fire is not possible without the skills of an electrician.

The final version of the created live fire effect, which is achieved using water vapor

It is made from a fan, three ultrasonic fog generators, LED lamp, DMX converter (for coordinating the program of diode lamps), distilled water, box and DMX controller (for transmitting data from the diode lamp to other elements).

Video: framing an electric fireplace from plasterboard

Independent creation of a portal for an electric fireplace with imitation of a live fire is a simple process. The main thing is to show your imagination and create a clear plot project. The rest is a matter of technique. Good luck!

Many people like to watch the flames. At the same time, not everyone can place a real hearth at home with a real fire and firewood. Nowadays, there is a way out; it’s quite possible to make a false fireplace yourself; all you need to do is prepare: drywall (gypsum plasterboard), tools, and a good mood. However, when the installation of the frame is completed, the question arises of how to imitate a real flame in a fake fireplace.

Decorative home hearths made of gypsum plasterboard require compliance with fire safety standards, since such a design is designed exclusively for artificial fire.

Most often, craftsmen use the following types of fire imitation:

1. Use of steam.
2. Creation of "theater fire".
3. Use of salt lamps.
4. Installation in the TV hearth.

Most the hard way creating a decorative flame - steam. Not everyone can create such an imitation, because it will require a specific set of components and special equipment, as well as skills in working with electronics.

To make a fire of this kind, you need to prepare:

1. DMX controller.
2. Fan with a diameter of 9 cm.
3. LED RGB lamp.
4. DMX decoder.
5. 3 ultrasonic fog generators.

These devices must be selected according to the parameters of the built fireplace, the layout, as well as the manufacturer and characteristics. It all depends on what initial result the master wants to get. All these devices are included in steam electric fireplaces, as well as concert electrical devices that create the effect of steam.

If the devices are connected correctly, it is possible to make an imitation using a cold glow system, which makes it possible to make a fire simulator that is difficult to distinguish from a real hearth.

If the master wants to use exactly this method of simulating a flame, it is important to provide the necessary parameters for the components and mount the fireplace of the required size.

The operating principle of such an electric fireplace looks like this:

1. A fog generator should be placed at the bottom of the container into which water is previously poured.
2. The generator has a membrane that creates vibrations at a specific ultrasonic frequency, providing reduced pressure. Therefore, it turns out, one might say, a vacuum and the water evaporates at room temperature.
3. Thanks to this, the steam rises.
4. The top is illuminated by an LED lamp.
5. A diaphragm is installed above the structure.

Assembly using technology will make it possible to create a more natural imitation of flame yourself in a false fireplace. The second way is the theatrical option. As is already clear, this method is used in theatrical circles for various kinds of productions. However, it is also suitable for making a dummy, imitation of fire.

To make such an imitation yourself, you need to prepare the following items:

1. A piece of light white silk fabric.
2. 3 halogen lamps with reflectors.
3. Silent, powerful fan.
4. 3 filters: red, orange and blue.
5. A box or a special bowl for assembling a false structure.

When everything is prepared, you can begin assembly according to the following scheme. A fan should be installed at the bottom of the box or bowl. The cord must be routed out. Next, you need to attach halogen lamps to one axis so that the light is directed upward. Then, at a distance of 20 mm above the lamps, you need to install light filters.

From the prepared material, you need to cut shreds of various sizes, preferably triangular in shape, as they will be more realistic.

The next step is to attach the flaps to the box, bowl along the edges of the fan. When the fan is turned on, a fire that is not real, but very similar to a natural one, will appear in the fireplace. This method is quite simple and makes it possible to create an almost real, mesmerizing flame in the fireplace.

Artificial fire for the fireplace: salt lamp

The use of salt lamps in artificial fireplaces to recreate a decorative flame is beneficial and is considered effective way. A salt lamp is a special lighting device whose lampshade is made of untouched salt crystal. In the inner part of such a lampshade there is a regular light bulb.

When the lamp is connected, the lampshade begins to heat up and release negative ions into the air.

They bind positive ions (from household appliances), which have a detrimental effect on human health, thereby helping to improve the well-being of home residents. The disadvantages of this method include the rather high price of salt lamps, and the advantages: realism, aesthetics and ease of installation.

By using lampshades of various colors, it is possible to effectively and very simply create a non-natural flame in your fireplace yourself. In addition, using several lamps at once different sizes, perhaps make an imitation of a fire.

DIY fireplace replica: TV instead of a fireplace

Another easy way to create a non-natural flame in a fireplace is to use a flat-panel LCD TV. But this method is considered the most expensive, since such equipment is expensive. Special LCD TVs have been developed that are produced specifically for artificial fireplaces.

They contain video footage of:

• Playing tongues of flame;
• With smoldering coals;
• With a bright fire.

This recording goes on in the hearth of the false fireplace. Sometimes a TV can be supplemented with special optics, which consists of light filters. With its help, the image of fire will be the most expressive and voluminous. In addition to this optics, it is possible to use a mirror system. They are located in the corners of the fireplace, and the picture turns out to be more realistic; such lighting looks very beautiful. In rare cases, it is possible to use holographic installations. But this is not quite profitable.

Decorative firewood for the fireplace

In specialized salons you can find an abundance of options for such products; quite realistic firewood with a natural log pattern is available for sale. They can be plastic or ceramic. Any imitation, purchased or made independently, is intended to give realism decorative fireplace to help you experience all the splendor: home comfort, harmony, calmness and warmth.

Imitation of plastic firewood or coals, has a fairly simple operating principle.

Coal and firewood are illuminated with red lighting. The light bulb can be located inside the firewood. Of course, this is not so reliable, but still. More expensive electric fireplaces are characterized by flickering or a picture of artificial transmission of fantastic flames. It is possible due to a special mechanism in which special elements rotate around the lamp, alternating with transparent and shaded areas. Such lighting can be located either behind the fake logs, or in the inner part.

Exactly the same lighting system can be used to achieve the effect of fire, using natural coal, which should be placed in the niche of a false fireplace. In this case, the backlight should be placed from the bottom.

A believable imitation of fire in a fireplace with your own hands (video)

So, in an apartment there is absolutely no possibility of installing a real fireplace. However, a fireplace, even if it is artificial, requires imitation of a realistic flame. You can do this yourself in several ways, described above.

Today a fireplace is not so much heating installation What an exquisite interior decoration. But what should those who, for purely technical reasons, cannot build such a structure in their home, for example, residents of city high-rise buildings, do? They offer an electric fireplace, which you can make yourself.

Electric fireplace: device and principle of operation

An electric or false fireplace is an imitation of a real fireplace. This product consists of two parts:

The hearth is installed in the portal and performs three functions:

• lighting;
• heating;
• imitation of live fire in some way.

Hearths are available in a wide variety of designs. First of all, they differ in the way they create the illusion of burning fire. Here are the main options:

1. The simplest and cheapest: several strips of red silk are attached to plastic pseudo-logs, and lighting and a fan are installed below. The light from the lamp resembles the heat of coals, while the silk strips flutter in the air flow forced by the fan, imitating tongues of flame. Along the way, the air blows over the heating element located in the upper part of the fireplace, and thus distributes heat.
2. An improved option: a rotating reflector is installed under the imitation firewood. The light from the lamp becomes flickering and oscillating, which makes the hearth more like a real one.
3. A more expensive solution: there is an ultrasonic steam generator, the same as in air humidifiers (produces cold steam or mist), and under it there is a backlight of multi-colored LEDs that cast flickering reflections on the fog. Additionally, for greater similarity, an audio reproduction system is installed, broadcasting a characteristic sound pattern - the hissing and crackling of firewood.
4. The latest technologies: hologram and 3D image. This imitation looks very impressive.

Also, electric fireplaces may differ in the presence of various options. Some of them, for example, are equipped with thermostats (they independently maintain the room temperature at a user-specified level) and a remote control.

Photo gallery: types of electric fireplaces

Hanging electric fireplace saves space The electric fireplace built into the wall is suitable for modern interiors The base of the false fireplace can be finished with artificial stone An imitation chimney makes a fake fireplace look like a real one

Materials and tools

When they talk about making an electric fireplace with their own hands, they first of all mean independent design and assembly by the user of the portal. In most cases, the hearth is purchased in a store.

Necessary materials

As already mentioned, a portal is simply a box with decorative lining. Impact high temperatures it is not exposed, even if the electric fireplace is equipped with heaters, so almost any sheet material can be used as frame cladding:

• drywall;
• plastic;
• aluminum panels;
• steel sheets in a polymer sheath or painted with powder paint;
• glass;
• particle boards and fiberboards: chipboard, fibreboard, OSB, MDF (can be produced in laminated form);
• plywood;
• board: solid or parquet (multilayer).

The portal can also be made of piece materials - brick or stone, but due to their massiveness and high cost, these options have not gained popularity. Usually a frame is constructed, and plasterboard is used in most cases for sheathing. This is a fairly rigid material, it holds its shape well, at the same time is easy to process, has a low weight and, most importantly, allows the use of a rather impressive-looking cladding.

Decorative gypsum stone for portal cladding can also be made at home

Another one useful feature: if you make a perforation in cardboard using a needle and moisten a gypsum core through it, then you can make a curved surface from a rigid flat sheet, for example, an arched vault.

Regarding plywood and solid board, these materials should be used with caution. Constantly circulating warm air may cause them to dry out with subsequent deformation. This also applies to the frame if it is made of bars and slats.

All wood must be at least well dried. But it is best to assemble a frame from a special metal profile designed for installing partitions and plasterboard ceilings.

The center of factory production is not the only possible option. IN simple design you can reproduce it yourself, although, of course, the homemade product will look less attractive.

Instead of an electric fireplace, you can install in the portal:

1. Electronic photo frame with a picture of a flame. More interesting option- a photo frame with the ability to reproduce primitive animation, into which you need to load a “cartoon” with dancing tongues of fire.
2. If the costs don’t bother you, you can go even further: install a small TV in the portal that plays video from a flash card, and record a video for it with a real fire.
3. The image of fire is combined with a system of mirrors, thanks to which the observer sees a three-dimensional illusion of flame.

Tools

What tools do you need to prepare:

• plumb and building level(for installation without distortions);
• metal scissors or grinder with a thin cutting disc;
• stationery knife;
• spatulas;
• sandpaper;
• screwdriver or screwdriver.

Preparatory stage

Before you start making a false fireplace, you need to think about its installation location and power supply.

Selecting a location

Work on creating a homemade electric fireplace should begin with choosing a place for it, since the shape of the portal will depend on this. The following options should be considered:

1. Wall-mounted location: this is the most preferred option - it is the wall-mounted electric fireplace that is most similar to the real one. But such an installation is possible only under one condition: the room must be quite spacious. In the wall-mounted version, the electric fireplace is made rectangular.
2. Corner: this method is used if the room is of modest size. The corner is usually the least used area, so installing a false fireplace here has almost no effect on the amount of free space.

   The corner portal will no longer have a rectangular, but a triangular base.

3. A corner electric fireplace will not take away useful space from the room Wall-mounted option: as you know, a floor-mounted fireplace is considered classic. But it will look good mounted option
4. provided that the space in front of him, at least a few steps away, is not cluttered with anything.

Built-in fireplace. This option will significantly save space.

If the problem of lack of space is so critical that none of the above options are suitable, an electric fireplace can be built into a partition or furniture. Especially for such tasks, “ultra-thin” fireplaces with a depth of only 7 cm are produced. By the way, it’s worth considering that perhaps such an almost flat fireplace could be made wall-mounted.

When choosing a place for a fireplace, take into account the position of the window: it is advisable that daylight does not overshadow the backlight. Some users are faced with a problem: no matter where they place the fireplace, it always ends up right next to one or another piece of furniture - a table, sofa, pouf, etc. The way out of this situation is to create wall fireplace

, located at a certain height. In this form it will not lose its decorative qualities. At the same time, at any distance from the wall and even under the fireplace itself, it will be possible to place a low piece of furniture.

Hanging electric fireplace significantly saves space

Electricity supply

1. An important point: at the preparation stage, you should think about the power supply to the fireplace. To prevent the impression of the decoration from being spoiled by an extension cord stretched across the entire room, you need to attach an electrical outlet to the wall near the installation site of the portal. In this case, it is useful to listen to these recommendations: You should not install the socket so that it is inside the portal, although this option seems to be the most successful from an aesthetic point of view. False fireplace, like any other, is potentially dangerous and the user should be able to quickly unplug the power cord if something happens.
2. It is better to install an outlet with a switch. After installing the fireplace in the portal, the standard power button will most likely be difficult to access, and it will be inconvenient to constantly pull out and insert the plug into the socket to turn the device off and on.

Calculation of parameters and design

At the portal design stage, you need to pay attention to the following points:

1. Dimensions. The portal should have such dimensions that it and the hearth look proportional. Usually the body is made twice as wide as the hearth, and 1.5 times higher in height. Thus, if the width and height of the fireplace are 50 and 70 cm, then for the portal these same parameters will be equal to 100 and 105 cm. If you intend to install the fireplace not near the floor, but at a certain height, you should choose a wider model - with this placing the fireplace will look better.
2. In this case, the width of the portal should not be doubled, but slightly smaller.
3. Dimensions of the combustion hole. This hole should be such that its edges do not block the fireplace’s own frame. This rule should be followed regardless of whether the frame is neutral or made in any genre. If the electric fireplace is stylized, then the design of the portal will have to be made accordingly. If you want to maintain creative freedom, look for an insert hearth - a model that has no frame at all. Structural elements. Main structural element

The portal contains vents that provide air circulation. If there are none, the heating element of the electrical fire may overheat.

It is also advisable to provide the portal with a shelf or hooks from the inside to secure the power cable.

It is better to start designing the portal after the purchased hearth is in your home. The fact is that the picture published on the website or in the catalog is often somewhat different from the device being sold and, if you rely on it, the portal will most likely have to be redone.

Drawing

Firstly, it will be easier to develop a specification - a list and quantity of all necessary materials down to the last screw. Secondly, the drawing will immediately reveal minor errors and shortcomings that were overlooked when designing in the mind.

Making an electric fireplace: step-by-step instructions

After all the preparatory work has been done, you can begin making the electric fireplace itself.

Making a pedestal

The pedestal is a tabletop laid on a frame made of a metal profile about 50 mm high. The tabletop can be made from various materials:

• thick plywood or several thin plywood sheets glued together;
• solid wood or a shield made from several boards;
• chipboard.

The most attractive look are countertops made of laminated MDF (the board is enclosed in a plastic shell). Such a product can easily be found on sale.

The pedestal for an electric fireplace can be made from chipboard

The tabletop for a wall-mounted fireplace has the shape of a rectangle, for a corner one - a pentagon. In size it should be several centimeters larger than the dimensions of the portal. A plinth of the same color as the table top is installed as side walls around the pedestal.

Assembling the portal frame

As already mentioned, the frame is best made from a metal profile specifically designed for the installation of plasterboard structures. It comes in two types:

• rack-mount (for a portal you will need a variety with section dimensions of 50x50 mm);
• guide (use standard size 50x40 mm).

To fasten profile sections together, you should use special short self-tapping screws 11–13 mm long, which are popularly called “bugs” or “seeds.”

Installation of the frame is carried out in the following sequence:

On front side sections of the profile are attached that limit the opening, and inside there is a frame on which the hearth will be installed (if one is provided for in the project).

Video: making an electric fireplace portal

Assembling the chimney frame

A false fireplace will look much more realistic if a box is laid from the portal to the ceiling, simulating a chimney. The frame of this box should be constructed from a profile with dimensions of 100x50 and 100x40 mm, then it will be enough to attach it with only one side to the wall. You need to do this:

The frame is strengthened by installing crossbars from a 100x50 mm profile in each face in increments of 50 cm.

Covering the frame with plasterboard

We cut drywall sheets using a stationery knife according to the project. Remember that the parts must be of such dimensions that the seams between them fit on the frame elements. Drywall is screwed with metal self-tapping screws measuring 25x3.5 mm, black in color. The screw must be tightened so that the top edge of its head penetrates 1 mm into the sheathing.

Take your time to completely screw in the trim pieces. First, secure each of them with one or two screws and check if the hearth is working well. After making sure that everything is in order, or making adjustments if necessary, the parts can be screwed “tightly”.

After checking that all the vents for air circulation have been cut out, you can begin puttying work. They include the following steps:

Finally, the entire portal is treated with a primer and allowed to dry completely.

Fireplace finishing

A false fireplace can be covered with tiles or artificial stone, and the bottom, for example, can be lined with brick. Looks very impressive and decorative plaster. You should use a gypsum composition, for example, Vetonit or Rotband brands. Having made it slightly thicker than the recipe on the package requires, you can use your fingers or special tool create decorative relief, simulating:

• brickwork;
• clay modeling;
• a natural stone;
• wood.

Plaster needs protective coating varnish or paint, which will prevent cracks from occurring during significant changes in temperature and humidity conditions.

The top of the portal can be covered with plasterboard, but a tabletop of the same type as that installed as a pedestal will look much more interesting.

Decorating an electric fireplace

You can decorate the portal of a false fireplace with stucco molding, which is fixed with glue. If the frame and cladding are strong enough, use real decor from plaster. It is better not to overload the plasterboard structure - use a lightweight imitation of polyurethane stucco.

A strong impression is made by the ambience created with the help of objects usually accompanying the fireplace. Tongs, a poker, a scoop for removing ash, a broom, etc. are hung on the portal or a stand next to it. Some of these items, for example, a scoop and a poker, can be installed next to the fireplace - as if they had just been used.

You can hang torch-shaped lamps on the wall on both sides of the portal.

Another technique from the same opera is to install a woodpile next to the fireplace. It is a box, quite high, but shallow - the bottom is cut in almost at the very top. Several real logs or dummies made of plastic or ceramic (sold in stores) are placed on it.

The surroundings in the form of a woodpile make the false fireplace more realistic

You can make a rather naturalistic dummy yourself using corrugated cardboard. Here's how it's done:

A fireplace, even a fake one, significantly enriches the interior and brings into it a charming atmosphere of ancient romance from the times of chivalry. But such decoration will only be exclusive if the user makes it himself. We hope our ideas and tips will help you with this.

Fire, its raging tongues, as if dancing a dance known only to them, from time immemorial have carried their message to every living person. A living flame gives a person warmth, which means life. And at the same time, it is capable of destroying everything around it. It has long been believed that fire is a symbol of home comfort. But if in past times the hearth was a mandatory functional structure that warmed the home, today it is rather a decorative detail, an imitation. The photos presented to your attention will give some idea of ​​what an artificial symbol of a home should look like. Not every country house has the opportunity to install a real fireplace; modern apartments are not even worth talking about. But this does not mean that you need to completely abandon such a tempting idea.

Artificial fireplaces - dream or reality?

A hearth with living, dancing flames is the dream of many modern people. But what to do when it is not possible to build it on the existing living space? An excellent option would be to imitate a fireplace.

Remember the fairy tale about Pinocchio with fire painted on a piece of canvas? Of course, we don’t suggest you paint the walls, but anyone can build a fireplace with their own hands.

An imitation of a country house is possible even with a minimum of funds, skills and abilities. There are quite a few varieties of decorative designs for the hearth. For their construction they use the most various techniques and materials.

Types of decorative fireplaces

False fireplaces can be divided into two types - interior and electric. The former serve as decoration for the room, and thanks to their smokeless combustion-based design ethyl alcohol and the release of a certain amount of steam during this process, humidify the air. One of undeniable advantages in the construction of such models is that it is not at all necessary to use wood or drywall. An imitation of fire in a fireplace is created by laying it around gas burner artificial firewood made from heat-resistant ceramics. This entire structure is quite lightweight, easy to operate, does not overload the space of the room in which it is installed, and, importantly, does not require chimneys.

Electric fireplaces are not only an interior decoration item, they are also an additional source of heat. Very powerful and at the same time economical in energy consumption modern models do not require any special difficulties in operation and maintenance. Artificial fire they look more than natural.

Materials suitable for creating a fireplace

Let's take a closer look at how and what to make an artificial stove from. The first thing that comes to mind is an imitation fireplace made of brick or plasterboard, but they are by no means the only ones. A short overview of possible materials for construction will help you make your choice. So:

• Metal. Ideal for high-tech interiors. Having the skills to work with steel, you can build a false hearth that will decorate any home.
• Imitation of a fireplace in an apartment made of plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or chipboard (chipboard) is possible in any interior, be it modern, country style or any other. All these materials are coated with a special protective film, can be found without much difficulty in all construction markets.
• Perfect for portal construction wooden boards. In order to highlight the beauty of wood, it can be coated with a special stain that matches the color of the main interior of your apartment, or with acrylic varnish.
• One of the most popular materials for creating an artificial fireplace is undoubtedly brick. The only disadvantage is that it is quite difficult to avoid the heaviness of the structure, and this, in turn, creates some difficulties in integrating it into the overall interior.
• Drywall is a lightweight material that is easy to work with. An imitation fireplace made of GPC is ideal for small rooms. Using metal profiles, you can build a fake fireplace structure of any shape and height.
• Artificial stone - non-toxic, non-flammable material, great for creating a portal.

General principles for building a false fireplace made of brick

1. Before starting the main work, it is necessary to calculate the height and width of the future product, and also determine the place where this entire rather heavy structure will be located.
2. In order for the imitation of a fireplace with your own hands to be of high quality, you must draw up a detailed diagram of what you want to get in the end.
3. In principle, any brick is suitable for building a false portal: silicate, facing or decorative. Before starting laying, moisten it generously with water to remove excess air. Properly made brick has an even, smooth structure.
4. Start laying from the corner, level. Try to make seams of equal width.
5. After the mortar holding the rows of bricks together has dried well, the inner sides and bottom of the portal must be laid with special heat-resistant tiles.
6. Now you can begin installing the electric heater. Do not forget about safety precautions when working with electricity; strictly follow the instructions included with the device.
7. Decorating the fireplace or leaving it as is depends entirely on your desire. For cladding, you can use stone or any interior ceramic tiles.

Materials and tools

You will need:

• brick;
• masonry mortar;
• building level;
• for interior decoration;
• electric, bio- or eco-heater;
• Building tools;
• items for decoration.

A brick imitation fireplace will become a real decoration of the room and will help create a warm, cozy atmosphere. All this will undoubtedly delight you and your loved ones. Unfortunately, such a heavy design is not suitable for decorating small rooms, but it is ideal for a living room or hall of a country house.

General principles for constructing a false fireplace from plasterboard

The light, easy-to-use structure of plasterboard is ideal for creating a fireplace portal of any shape, width and height. Using profiles and guides, you can make any part of it not only straight, but also smoothly curved. In addition, any lighting can be easily integrated into a structure made of this material, which gives it additional capabilities and functionality. An imitation fireplace made of plasterboard will fit equally well into any interior of both large and small living spaces, be it country house or city apartment.

Preliminary preparation

The construction of such a fireplace model is a rather expensive and labor-intensive process that requires preliminary preparation.

The first thing that needs to be done before starting the main work is to determine the location and type of structure. What it will be like is up to you to decide. A do-it-yourself imitation fireplace made of plasterboard can look like a niche built into the wall, be a wall-mounted model (that is, mobile) or a corner one. There are a great many options for frame designs, it all depends on your personal preferences and the overall interior of your apartment or house.

So, the location has been chosen, the type has been determined, it’s time to start building the drawing diagram. This is necessary so that you clearly understand the result, as well as the order of work. The existing sketch will definitely help with the calculation of the required materials.

Having prepared everything you need and freed up a sufficient amount of space, you can begin installing the structure.

from plasterboard

The process of constructing an artificial hearth from plasterboard can be divided into several stages:

• frame construction;
• lining the skeleton with plasterboard;
• making the fireplace fireproof;
• installation of a heating element;
• decoration of the entire structure.

Fabrication and cladding of the frame

The skeleton of the fireplace is made according to the selected parameters from metal profiles, which, in turn, are attached to the wall or form a free-standing structure in the case where a mobile, that is, portable version of the structure is planned. Important point in the construction of a metal profile frame is that the more different jumper parts it has, the more stable and durable the product itself will be in the end. The distance between the guides should not exceed 35-40 cm. Difficulties usually arise when installing the so-called arched part of the structure. To give it a smooth bend along the top of the profile, at regular intervals, cuts are made. Then it is bent into an arc and attached to the desired location. In this way, you can give the entire structure several smooth bends. The plasterboard imitation of a fireplace, the photo of which is presented in our article, is made in exactly this way. After installation of the base is completed, the fire-resistant tiles internal parties laid, you can start covering. How to decorate a false fireplace, whether to decorate it with lighting, depends only on you.

Materials and tools

You will need:

• sheets or scraps of drywall;
• self-tapping screws, dowels and screws;
• guide metal profiles (you can use corners or wooden slats);
• devices for cutting metal and drywall;
• a tool for precise surface marking (building level, tape measure);
• drill and screwdriver;
• putty for sealing seams;
• decorative finishing ( ceramic tile, tree, fake diamond And so on);
• fireproof tiles;
• a heating element;
• backlight

Decorative false fireplaces are an excellent substitute for a traditional hearth with an open fire. They are safe, energy-efficient, beautiful and functional. Imitating a live fire in such a fireplace allows you to create a truly cozy atmosphere around you.

To date Special attention In the interior we pay attention to the issue of decoration. Most installed fireplaces perform decorative functions rather than heating. And the usual types of fuel are changing to biofuel or electricity. Therefore, making dummy firewood for an electric fireplace with your own hands is considered a fairly popular topic.

What are they needed for

Many will ask the question: why are such dummies needed? Well, firstly, it's a matter of aesthetics. And secondly, you don’t need deep knowledge of stove equipment to notice the difference between a fireplace with an electric heating element and a wood-burning fireplace.

Due to the absence of smoke and rapid heating of the room, electric fireplaces are an advantage when compared with a wood-burning fireplace. But with all this, a certain naturalness of the hearth is lost, its charm and charm are lost. If you add dummy firewood to such a design, the picture of the fireplace changes radically.

This situation is especially relevant for a city apartment, where installing a real fireplace is simply impossible.

Firewood imitation options and materials

In stores you can find many options for such products. They can be made of plastic or ceramic. Any imitation, purchased or made with your own hands, is designed to give realism to an artificial hearth to help you feel all the charm of home comfort and warmth.

Imitation of firewood or coals, made of plastic, has a very simple operating principle. Typically, such objects are illuminated with red light bulbs.

It is also possible that the light bulb is located inside each element. Of course, this is not entirely realistic, but still.

More expensive fireplace models are characterized by a flickering pattern or imitation of artificial flames, which occurs due to a special mechanism in which elements rotate around the lamp, alternating transparent and shaded sectors. This type of lighting can be located either behind a dummy of firewood or inside it.

The exact same lighting system can be used to achieve a burning effect, using real coal, which is placed in the fireplace niche.

In this case, the dummy and coals are illuminated from the bottom. Imitation of plastic firewood and coals, of course, is not ideal, and it has its own errors.

To hide all the shortcomings as much as possible, artificial firewood with lighting is placed as deep as possible in the fireplace niche, and the hearth is decorated with a fireplace grate, which serves as a mask for the shortcomings.

In expensive models of electric fireplaces you can find several techniques for simulating fire. To make the picture realistic, they use not only dummies of firewood, but also mirrors with strips of foil or ribbons in which the backlight lights are illuminated, creating the illusion of flames. In addition to everything, the models are equipped with various functions, steam supply, which imitates smoke from a fire, and a sound device that reproduces sounds similar to the crackling of firewood.

If your financial capabilities are not enough for such items, then as an option, you can try making dummies of firewood with your own hands.

Production of decorative firewood

Making decorative firewood with your own hands is quite easy; for this you can use materials that almost every person has.

Stores offer ready-made firewood made from plastic or ceramics, but the cost is quite high.

Therefore, it is more advisable to make decorative firewood with your own hands with minimal financial costs.

To make a dummy you need to prepare:

• cardboard;
• paint;
• glue;
• scotch.

The manufacturing process can be divided into four stages.

• The first stage is to prepare blanks that have various sizes. Some parts of future firewood may be longer, the side parts of the logs may be slightly smaller.
• The second stage consists of gluing the cut blanks. To do this, rectangular sheets of cardboard must be tightly rolled into a roll. For gluing, you can use glue or tape. Short rolls are attached at an arbitrary angle to a longer piece, forming the rest of the branch.
• The third stage involves painting the blanks. To do this, you can use paint of various colors, black, white or brown. The main goal of coloring is maximum realism.
  The final step of coloring is coating the logs with varnish.
• AND final stage- this is laying logs in a niche of an electric fireplace. They can be laid in any direction, crossing or placing in a certain order.

Based on this, wood-burning imitation for a fireplace is very easy to do with your own hands, it will not require large financial expenses, and you will definitely get pleasure from the final result.

Decorative Firewood

Placing decorative firewood

Particular attention must be paid to the placement of firewood in the fireplace niche. You can do this yourself and give the hearth a more aesthetic appearance; it will become more believable.
To place a fake log in the fireplace niche, you need to decide on the installation option.

Imitation of firewood looks quite impressive in combination with other decorative elements, such as stones or candles.

If for some reason it is impossible to place artificial firewood in the depths of the firebox, you can place a separate emphasis on the firewood by placing it outside the hearth.

In addition, you can build a firewood shed with your own hands, into which decorative firewood is placed.

With a harmonious selection of stove equipment and decor for it, you can turn the hearth into an object of great attention. The combination of firewood and fire, regardless of whether they are natural or artificial, will add to any interior unique charm and comfort.

Video: How to make a fire (hearth) for a decorative fireplace