Installing a classic fireplace in a house or apartment is not an easy task, it requires not only time and a lot of money, but also a coordinated project. It is much easier and safer to buy a ready-made built-in fireplace insert that runs on biofuel or electricity and mount it in a prepared niche. It is quite simple to give decorativeness to the design - just buy polyurethane fireplace portal or individual elements and fasten them to the front of the fireplace.
Portal for a fireplace from polyurethane
Polyurethane fireplace portals: features
Polyurethane is a durable, heat-resistant material that can be easily finished and painted. A wide variety of elements are made from polyurethane: stucco, moldings, pilasters, as well as arches and portals for a fireplace. These elements are fastened with glue or self-tapping screws.
Fireplace drawing
The advantages of polyurethane fireplace portals include:
- Resistance to mechanical damage, polyurethane stucco, unlike gypsum, does not crumble, does not crack, is not prone to chipping.
- Resistance to high temperatures. Portal for a fireplace from polyurethane can be used not only for decorative structures, but also as a frame for a gas, electric or wood-burning fireplace insert;
- A variety of models made in a variety of designs, from antique style to modern style.The dimensions of the portals, as a rule, correspond to the standard dimensions of built-in fireplaces, so it does not have to be adjusted.
- Ease of fastening and installation. When finishing the fireplace, you just need to install the selected polyurethane fireplace portal in the place intended for it and fix it with glue or mechanically.
- Wide range of design possibilities. Polyurethane can be painted, covered with patina and artificial gold, supplemented with forged elements. Portals harmonize well with traditional finishing materials for fireplaces: artificial and natural stone, clinker or terracotta tiles.
- The price of ready-made portals fluctuates within several thousand rubles, which is comparable to the price of finishing materials, while excluding labor costs for qualified builders.
When buying a ready-made firebox, you can choose a portal suitable for your model and install it yourself - this does not require any special skills. The technology for mounting polyurethane decorative elements is described below.
Decorative fireplace with polyurethane portal
A fireplace with a built-in electric firebox and a polyurethane portal can be installed in any apartment - it does not require connection to a chimney, coordination with fire or gas services and calculation of the load on the floors. This is a fairly lightweight design, which is easy to install on your own.
- Decide on the purpose of the firebox, what function it will perform: only decorative or with heating. If you have a firebox with heating elements, then all materials for making a fireplace must be heat-resistant.Measure or look in the passport for the electric fireplace for the dimensions for installing the firebox. In order to save money, you can do without a built-in firebox by filling out a niche with a finishing stone and placing a backlight there. In this case, its dimensions can be arbitrary, and it is better to build on the size of the finishing stone.
Decorative fireplace insert
- The wall frame of the fireplace is made of a bar or profile, fastening them to self-tapping screws, and sheathing it with drywall or plywood. If the fireplace insert has heaters, then it is better to use 12.5 mm thick fire-resistant drywall - this way you will ensure the fire safety of your structure. Install the insert inside and check the dimensions, after which it is temporarily removed. The walls of the fireplace are puttied and leveled, dried and sanded to a smooth state. If the firebox has a shallow depth and is installed directly on the floor, you can do without a frame. In this case, you need to level the wall to which the portal will be attached, sand it to a smooth state, which allows gluing polyurethane elements.
Plasterboard fireplace frame
- Apply a portal for a fireplace made of polyurethane to the prepared frame and, if necessary, make adjustments. Polyurethane is well cut with a hacksaw on wood, irregularities are removed with fine-grained sandpaper.
We apply a portal for a fireplace made of polyurethane
- Glue the polyurethane on a solvent-free adhesive, otherwise the material will be destroyed.It is better to clarify the type of glue when buying stucco moldings, sometimes portal manufacturers offer special compounds for this purpose that ensure ease of gluing and good adhesion. for a few minutes. After that, glue is applied to the part to be glued already in excess, leveled with a spatula and tightly applied to the frame or wall. Protruding adhesive is carefully removed. They hold the stucco molding, pressing it tightly, for about a minute, after which they leave it until the glue dries. Elements under load can be additionally fixed with self-tapping screws, slightly sinking their head in polyurethane. Later, this place is puttied, as are the joints of the portal with a wall or frame.
We glue polyurethane
- The side walls of the fireplace and the space around the firebox can be additionally finished with stone or tiles. In the example shown, the finish is made with ordinary tiles with a border, glued on ordinary tile adhesive.
We trim the walls of the fireplace
- Install a fireplace mantel. It can be made of artificial stone or countertops, or ordered ready-made in a furniture store. Attach the shelf to the frame on the corners and screws.
- Paint the portal with white acrylic paint to even out the color of the stucco. You can cover individual elements with gold or bronze paint or patina.
- Install an electric firebox inside, connect it to the mains. You can install interior elements or knick-knacks on the shelf. The fireplace is ready.
Polyurethane fireplace - photo
A portal for a polyurethane fireplace is a convenient and relatively inexpensive decor, with its help you can realize any design ideas.The finished portal can be supplemented with various elements: moldings and ceiling plinths, consoles that match the style. Forged grates and heat-resistant glass screens look great - they give even a decorative fireplace a complete resemblance to a traditional hearth. Do not be afraid to show imagination, and your home will become cozy and unique.
