07/19/2017 2442 Pechnik (Moscow) Today, many people want to install a fireplace in their house or apartment, however, to install and assemble a classic wood-burning structure, you need not only significant financial investments, but also the presence of certain skills, professional tools and a large amount of free time. That is why fireplaces powered by gas, bioethanol and electricity are becoming increasingly popular. Such models can be easily installed in any room, have a stylish appearance and fully comply with all safety standards and requirements.
A fireplace made of polyurethane is, first of all, a unique and stylish frame, which can be either partially finished with this material or consist entirely of it. Fireplaces made of polyurethane tolerate strong heat and temperature changes well, which in turn allows the use and application of such a coating for finishing and lining fireplace portals.
You can learn more about what the main features of polyurethane are and how to properly finish and assemble frames by watching the detailed video in this article.
A sophisticated fireplace for your comfort
A compact portal allows you to transform the appearance of a room in a matter of minutes, adding gloss and attractiveness to it. Installing ready-made fireplaces is as easy as caring for them. You don't have to waste time and effort on regular chimney cleaning, removing tar, etc. It is enough to wipe the product with a damp cloth from time to time. In the model with illuminated water vapor, it is necessary to periodically add water.
A significant advantage of decorative portals compared to traditional ones is their relative low cost. At roceDecor, everyone can choose both inexpensive models and solid exclusive options.
Finishing options for a polyurethane fireplace
Modern and stylish polyurethane fireplace portals will decorate any home or apartment if you approach the decoration creatively. The stucco pattern must first be laid out on the floor, several decoration options must be thought through, and only then proceed with fastening and finishing with stucco.
Finishing is carried out in two ways:
- by gluing - the technology of using adhesives is simple and understandable to anyone; you can use a cement base solution or special glue, pre-degreasing the surfaces; the solution is applied evenly, without excess, then apply pressure to the surfaces to be glued, after complete drying the elements are completely attached;
- mechanical fastening with nails or screws - framing the fireplace in this way is more durable, but it will not pose any difficulties, as in the first case, the main thing is to lay out all the elements symmetrically, mark the location and firmly screw or nail it.
What materials are decorative fireplaces made from?
Products can be manufactured:
- made of silicate or facing bricks;
- stone;
- wood;
- furniture panels (painted or with decorative film);
- metal (minimalism or with patterns and figured carvings);
- plasterboard (with metal profile).
Portals made of polyurethane have recently become a popular option. The material is easy to process, flexible, easy to cut, but at the same time durable and wear-resistant.
Materials and tools
To build false fireplaces from polyurethane, you will need the following tools and materials:
- for high-quality sawing of the component parts you will need a miter box, a hacksaw for metal and a saw with a small number of teeth;
- construction tape for carrying out precise measuring operations;
- assembly and joining adhesive;
- construction putty tool;
- for subsequent cleaning of the surface from excess glue, use fine-grained sandpaper;
- drill or hammer drill;
- set of self-tapping screws;
- polyurethane panels.
How to choose decorative fireplaces and portals made of polyurethane?
A correctly selected portal will allow you to decorate the space in a stylish but restrained manner, bright but tasteful. The main selection criterion is the model’s compliance with the style of the room:
- for a classic room it is better to choose a product with strict contours and rectangular shapes;
- original decor, metal inserts, sharp corners suit a modern room;
- Baroque style goes well with stucco and subtle patterns;
- A rough concrete fireplace portal is suitable for a loft room.
Choosing the right style
A correctly chosen style solution for a false fireplace allows you to create a full-fledged harmonious space in which there is one clear and obvious accent. Experts advise choosing a dummy fireplace that matches the appearance of the room. What options are most relevant:
Electric fireplace in a luxury portal
- First of all, of course, the classic version of the fireplace with strict and rectangular contours, a massive appearance and simple architecture. Classic variations add solidity and seriousness to the room, and set an overall pompous tone.
- By choosing a product in the Art Nouveau style, you will receive an original, maybe even extravagant design. False fireplaces in this style are most often unique; they are designed for specific interiors, taking into account their features. The main idea of the Art Nouveau movement is a mixture of different styles.
- An interesting solution could be a fake fireplace in the constructivist style. The main idea of this direction is that all things should have some kind of functionality. For example, designers often create wooden false fireplaces, in which the cavities serve as bedside tables for storing things. In the case of polyurethane, there are also various application possibilities. For example, you can install an electric fireplace in the portal firebox, thereby creating an imitation of fire and adding a room heating function.
Beautiful fireplace portal made of polyurethane
- For modern interiors in high-tech, urban, and minimalist styles, appropriate products are selected. Most often these are simple designs vaguely reminiscent of classical analogues. Fireplaces made of polyurethane are welcomed in a modern interior not only because they are made from a new material, they contain a tribute to tradition.
Note that the classic design of a false fireplace can suit most interiors, so if you don’t know which style to choose, perhaps the classic is your prerogative.
How to choose a false fireplace for your interior?
A polyurethane portal is a neat analogue of a traditional fireplace, accessible to everyone. This decor option is chosen for several reasons:
- Versatility and compactness. It can be installed in almost any room, regardless of its size and purpose: office, hall, bedroom.
- Easy to install. You receive a complete decor kit along with the necessary mounting hardware and installation instructions. Therefore, installation can be done independently.
- Large selection of different design options. There are frames of different colors, shapes, with different finishes and decor.
- Such products are inexpensive, but look impressive.
Features and performance characteristics of polyurethane
A polyurethane fireplace always remains very durable and reliable, this allows, if necessary, to make from it not only moldings, stucco moldings and other small decorative patterns, but also large, solid elements.
The polyurethane fireplace has the following performance characteristics and features:
| Operational Features | Description |
| Strength
| Polyurethane fireplaces are distinguished by their high strength and withstand various mechanical impacts. During operation, the material does not crumble, does not form, does not form chips and cracks, unlike gypsum stucco. |
| Good temperature tolerance
| The cladding tolerates both sub-zero and fairly high temperatures, which makes it possible to finish both structures located in the house and outside, and also, if necessary, use it as a covering to protect the hearth. |
| Rich styling
| Polyurethane fireplaces can have various shapes, sizes and styles, ranging from standard retro and classic to modern, minimalism, country, loft, art deco. Good strength and ductility allow the production of various complex decorative elements from this material. |
| Easy installation
| The price of framing depends on the size, design and other features of the framing. However, installation, regardless of the characteristics, is always similar and distinguished by its simplicity. For installation, you need to select a suitable location, secure it using special fasteners and other connecting, fixing elements, and fittings. |
Tip:
a fireplace frame made of polyurethane can have both a decorative function and be intended for installing a purchased heating center. In the first case, the size of the frame and combustion chamber can be any, and the materials used for finishing can be either fire-resistant or the most inexpensive, medium-melting. When installing an electric fireplace, first of all you need to buy it and, based on its dimensions, design a frame. Both polyurethane and other finishing coatings that require fire resistance can be used as decoration.
Important: when using
polyurethane for a fireplace , it is very important to take care of the final appearance of both small and fairly large decorative elements. To do this, you need to grout the patterns, prime them, putty them, paint them with special paint or cover them with decorative plaster. To make the product even more well-groomed, expensive and sophisticated, at the last stage the surface is coated with a varnish composition.
A polyurethane foam fireplace will have higher performance and quality due to the pre-prepared, leveled surface on which this lining is fixed.
How to choose a false fireplace for your interior?
Please pay attention to the following criteria:
- type of fireplace (cold steam or with projection lamps, video fireplace with LCD display);
- the ability to adjust the brightness and intensity of the flame;
- heating power (if provided in the model);
- presence of sound effects and musical accompaniment;
- possibility of remote control;
- manufacturer.
You can also choose a frame in which electronic candles are installed or an image is fixed. No fire, no crunch of flame. But at the same time, the design is completely safe, it is easy to install, it does not take up much space and does not require complex maintenance.
Final finishing
When choosing the type of finishing for a plasterboard imitation fireplace in an apartment, you need to focus on the overall interior of the room. Decorative fireplaces are often lined with artificial stone, decorative brick and ceramic tiles. Separate elements of such finishing are fixed using tile adhesive or liquid nails. It is best to install tiles of the correct shape, maintaining equal gaps: standard plastic crosses are useful for this.
Natural brick and stone are quite difficult to fit into the interior of a modern apartment. In addition, such finishing will create a decent load on the floor. A more convenient and practical option is decorative paint or plaster, which involves preliminary puttying of the plasterboard structure. For a painted portal to look beautiful, its surface must be perfectly flat. When putting drywall, the most difficult thing is to correctly design the joining areas between individual pieces of material. If this is done carelessly, unsightly cracks will appear there later.
Sealing the seams of a plasterboard imitation fireplace with your own hands in an apartment is carried out separately. To do this, use a special solution for Fugenfüller joints, which must be used to fill the pre-primed recess. After the seam has dried, it is necessary to glue a reinforcing strip of sickle mesh along its entire length. Sometimes, if the decorative fireplace is not very large, the entire surface of the structure is covered with such a mesh. It is also important to beautifully design all the corners and ribs of the fireplace: special perforated corners are used for this. After the putty has dried, the surface is carefully sanded and painted with water-based or latex paint, giving it any desired shade using pigment.
An example of designing a false fireplace with stucco molding based on a plasterboard box
- First you need to decide on the style of the false fireplace and select the appropriate stucco molding.
- Make a layout of the stucco molding indicating the dimensions, so you can calculate the dimensions of the future false fireplace.
Layout of stucco molding on a false fireplace and calculation of dimensions
- Consider the configuration of the fireplace and calculate its dimensions based on the size of the stucco molding. If there is an electric firebox, find out the exact dimensions of the niche for its installation and the fastening system.
Drawing of a plasterboard box for a false fireplace in accordance with the layout of the stucco molding
- Build a plasterboard box in accordance with the resulting dimensions and in compliance with the technology. Prepare the box for finishing.
- Glue the stucco molding onto the special glue recommended by the manufacturer, if necessary, treat the joints with putty and carefully sand the surface.
- Now the fireplace can be painted white or any other color.
When planning a false fireplace, do not forget about the electrics. One socket is needed inside the fireplace for an electric firebox, the other is better placed on the side, in case of connecting electrical appliances on the mantelpiece (lamp, Christmas garland, receiver, etc.)
