How to make artificial fire for a false fireplace. Imitation of fire in the fireplace with your own hands, available options
The fireplace is a matter of pride. It has long been used for cooking and heating the room in the cold season. Currently, it is more often used as a design attribute. Apartment owners often also want to put a fireplace in their house, but this is almost impossible. For this, the electric fireplace was invented. It is not necessary to purchase it in finished form, but you can build it yourself.
The main components of an electric fireplace
An electric fireplace will perfectly decorate the interior of the apartment
Self-creation of an electric fireplace with the effect of a living flame is a time-consuming process. But he's worth it. It will brighten up more than one evening for you. First of all, before proceeding with the construction of this unit, it is necessary 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 the translation of the burning flame takes place. The second is the frame where the firebox or hearth is placed.
The frame can be built independently.
It is advised to purchase a firebox ready-made in any hardware store, but this is not necessary. It can also be done on your own.
The hearth, if you have all the necessary raw materials and tools, you can also create yourself.
There are a large number of options for building an electric fireplace on your own. But all of them are united by these two elements, which are made separately, and then combined into one design.
Corner or wall - where to install a false fireplace?
Carefully approach the issue of the location of the future structure, because after you build it, moving it to another place will be extremely problematic.
Experts advise to make a design layout and try it on in different metas. The layout can be created, for example, from cardboard with the exact dimensions of the fireplace.
There are a few things to consider when choosing a location:
Portal making
The fireplace scheme is created depending on taste preferences, availability of free space and financial capabilities.
There are a huge number of different models of electric fireplaces and various materials are used for their manufacture. The portal of the electric fireplace can be made of drywall, stone, noble woods, chipboard, plywood and so on.
Scheme and dimensions
So, first you need to decide on the location of the future structure. Then purchase or make your own electrical part of the hearth. Create a detailed drawing and prepare all the raw materials and tools necessary for work.
A false fireplace can be of 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 the precious space of the room is saved.
Another version of the false fireplace scheme
Materials and tools
The amount of materials needed is calculated individually. This is where detailed drawing comes to the rescue. With it, you can accurately calculate the required amount of drywall, fasteners, 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.
Cutting drywall to the required dimensions, which are planned according to the electric fireplace project
Installing the frame is an easy task.
Drywall is attached to the frame with self-tapping screws
This view has an unfinished and uninstalled portal
With the help of putty, you can create a perfectly flat surface
Sandpaper will perfectly smooth out those metas where the putty protrudes
Installing a corner profile will prevent the corners of the fireplace from breaking off
On top of the fireplace on a furniture board, you can put, for example, a family photo
Not only tiles can act as a finishing material. You can veneer the fireplace with stone, mosaic, stucco and so on.
How to arrange - making decorative firewood
Cardboard is rolled into tubes
Self-creation of a fake firewood is a simple task.
Elements are interconnected
You can make them from materials that everyone has at hand. As an example, we will consider firewood, which is made from cardboard, glue, tape and paint.
Imitated logs must 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 put it in the hearth.
Decorative cardboard logs laid in a simulated hearth - cheap and cheerful
What to make a hearth
The hearth is considered the heart of the electric fireplace. When the portal and artificial firewood have already been created, you can begin to build it. The centers are ordinary or imitating a living flame. The first can be made using materials that anyone has at hand: candles, fabric, wire, wooden twigs. Living flame is made a little more complicated. Consider all options.
From candles
Do not forget that not an imitated fire descends from candles, but a real one, so you need to be extremely careful with it.
If you put a lot of candles in the fireplace, then the illusion of burning fire will be created. Candles must be placed with different steps from each other and at different heights.
The disadvantage of this option is that the candles are smoked, so the use of candles is not recommended for light-colored fireplaces, as the top of the firebox will turn black.
From twigs, fabric and diode lamps
Red and yellow LEDs look very impressive
To create such a variant of the hearth, buy a diode light bulb cartridge, which will randomly shimmer in red and yellow hues. Then, lay out tree branches in the fireplace and glue them with construction glue. Insert the cover from below and fix it on the branches.
From a strong wire, cut four pieces of 25 cm each. Attach one of their ends to the branches, twist the other with each other at the top. The last step is to fasten a light fabric, like chiffon or organza, over pieces of wire.
Use a fabric that allows light to pass through while hiding the wire frame and socket. Suitable dense tulle. The main thing is that the material is homogeneous, without embroidery.
Garland, stones and flames from lace - 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, diodes, red and yellow pebbles, shells - an unusual decor for decoration
This version of the hearth looks very impressive and beautiful
Run the diode tape along the edge of the bottom of the aquarium. Cover the bottom with shells and two-tone pebbles. The latter, by the way, plays a very important role. When the light hits the pebbles, it creates a nice illusion of a burning flame.
The nuance of this version of the hearth is a hole in the aquarium through which it is necessary to pass the wire from the diodes. It must be done very 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 by size and inserted into the fireplace portal.
Flame from pieces of white silk
A hearth for an electric fireplace with a flame effect achieved by swaying pieces of fabric from the air flow and illuminated by LEDs
This method was used during productions in theaters.
Water vapor to create the illusion of a flame
Scheme for creating a hearth for an electric fireplace in order to achieve a realistic live fire
This is a rather complicated option for creating the illusion of fire, and one cannot do without the skills of an electrician.
The final version of the created effect of live fire, which is achieved due to water vapor
It is made up of a fan, three ultrasonic foggers, an LED lamp, a DMX converter (for matching the program of diode lamps), distilled water, a box and a DMX controller (for transmitting data from the diode lamp to other elements).
Video: plasterboard electric fireplace framing
Self-creation of a portal for an electric fireplace with an imitation of live fire is a simple process. The main thing is to show imagination and create a clear plan project. The rest is a matter of technique. Good luck!
Today, special attention in the interior is paid to the issue of decoration. Most of the installed fireplaces do not function as heating, but as decoration. And the usual varieties of fuel are being replaced by biofuels or electricity. Therefore, making a fake 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 do we need such dummies? Well, first of all, it's a matter of aesthetics. And secondly, deep knowledge in the field of stove equipment is not needed to notice the difference between a hearth with an electric heating element and a wood-burning fireplace.
Due to the absence of smoke and the rapid heating of the room, electric fireplaces are in the black when compared with a wood-burning hearth. But with all this, a certain naturalness of the hearth is lost, its charm and charm are lost. If a model of firewood is added to such a design, the picture of the fireplace changes radically.
This situation is especially relevant for a city apartment, where the installation of a real fireplace is simply impossible.
Firewood imitation options and materials
In stores you can find many options for such products. They can be plastic or ceramic. Any imitation, purchased or made by hand, is designed to give realism to an artificial hearth to help you feel the beauty of home comfort and warmth.
Imitation of firewood or coals, made of plastic, has a very simple principle of operation. Usually such objects are illuminated with red light bulbs.
It is also possible that the light bulb is inside each element. Of course, this is not entirely realistic, but still.
For more expensive fireplace models, a flickering pattern or imitation of artificial flames is characteristic, which occurs due to a special mechanism in which elements rotate around the lamp, with alternating transparent and shaded sectors. This type of lighting can be located either behind the firewood dummy, or inside it.
The exact same lighting system can be used to achieve a burning effect, using real charcoal, which is placed in a fireplace niche.
In this case, the dummy and coals are illuminated from the bottom. Imitation of plastic firewood and coals, of course, is not perfect, and it has its own errors.
In order to hide all the shortcomings as much as possible, backlit artificial firewood is placed as deep as possible into the fireplace niche, and the hearth is decorated with a fireplace grate, which serves as a disguise for shortcomings.
In expensive models of electric fireplaces, you can find several methods of simulating fire. For realism, the paintings use not only dummies of firewood, but also mirrors, with strips of foil or ribbons in which the lights of the backlight glow, creating the illusion of flames. In addition to everything, the models are equipped with various functions, a steam supply that simulates the smoke from a fire, 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 to make 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 the materials that almost every person can find.
Shops offer ready-made firewood made of plastic or ceramics, but the cost is quite high.
Therefore, it is more expedient 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 step is to prepare blanks that have different sizes. Some parts of future firewood may be longer, the side parts of the logs are slightly smaller.
- The second stage is gluing the cut blanks. To do this, rectangular sheets of cardboard must be tightly rolled up. For gluing, you can use glue or tape. Short rolls are attached at an arbitrary angle to a longer size blank, forming the remainder of the branch.
- The third stage involves coloring 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 in staining is varnishing the logs. - And the last stage is the laying of logs in the niche of the 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 costs, and you will definitely enjoy the end result.
Decorative Firewood
Placement of decorative firewood
The location of firewood in the niche of the fireplace must be given special attention. This can be done with your own hands and give the hearth a more aesthetic appearance, it will become more believable.
To place a fake log in a 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 make a separate emphasis on 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 give any interior a unique charm and comfort.
Video: How to make a fire (hearth) for a decorative fireplace
simulated flame
To create an artificial fire in the fireplace with your own hands, you can use someone else's experience, rich in original ideas:
- the TV screen becomes the basis of the design;
- fire is imitated thanks to the three-dimensional image;
- the illusion of burning is created;
- cold fire and fan;
- fire effect from the steam generator;
- real logs with special lighting.
LCD screen as the basis of the design
False fireplace in a modern interior
This method is considered the most affordable. Decorating your home with a fiery hologram is not a big deal. A picture in 3D format is placed in a decorative fireplace so that its edges are invisible. An optical illusion is created thanks to the LED backlight scheme.
Made artificial firewood for the fireplace with your own hands will serve as a great addition to the scenery.
Decorating a fire with a hologram
Create the illusion of fire
To implement the idea, mirrors are needed, they are placed in the fireplace and give the illusion of space. The angles between the panes must be different. LED lamps are additionally applied to the design of the virtual flame. The model works as follows: the fire of an electric fireplace is reflected from a mirror surface. Due to the fact that mirrors distort the image, a three-dimensional effect is achieved, sparks seem to fly, and flames move in all directions. I want to admire such a spectacle for a long time, because the fire is very similar to a sparkling bonfire.
Cold Fire
The easiest way to create a decorative fire for the fireplace is with an ordinary fan and shreds of red fabric. The process won't take long. Triangular pieces of fabric are glued along the edges of the cardboard box. LED lamps, blue, red and yellow, are mounted in the corners, small mirrors and optical filters are on the sides. The fan is installed so that the blown air flows move upwards.
At the final stage, the product is placed in the fireplace and connected to the mains.
Fire created with a steam generator
Complex designs look the most believable. Thanks to the water vapor generator, a stunningly beautiful hearth with an artificial flame is obtained. This will require patience and several components at once:
- small fan;
- ultrasonic fog generators, 3 pieces;
- container for water;
- distilled water;
- LED lamp, but a simple one will do;
- cardboard box.
Imitation of fire in a fireplace with water vapor
Fog generators are placed at the bottom of the box. A ventilation device is attached to the side. Water is poured into a container and placed on top of ultrasonic devices. The lamp is fixed above the fan. The structure is connected to the network.
Artificial fire produced with the help of a generator turns out to be quite realistic.
Natural logs with backlight
As decorative firewood for a fireplace with LED strip lighting, you can use real logs. For this, LEDs of yellow, red and white colors are suitable. The logs are beautifully placed on a shelf inside the hearth, fastened together, then randomly wrapped with LED strip. Flickering lights and natural wood complement the interior, look stylish and original.
artificial firewood
If an electric fireplace is installed in the house, then it is better to choose special heat-resistant firewood. Artificial logs for the fireplace are made of ceramics. They are safe and durable. LED lighting is also appropriate here.
Artificial fire and decorative firewood for a fireplace with do-it-yourself lighting
Artificial fire and decorative firewood for a fireplace with do-it-yourself lighting. Types and options for mounting the backlight
Imitation of fire in a fireplace: do-it-yourself options for a false fireplace
Initially, the fireplace in the house performed an exclusively heating function, and only after that the role of decorating the interior. Today, a central heating system is used as the main source of heating in an apartment or house. That is why, many began to give preference not to the classic solid fuel stove, but to a more modern variation called a false fireplace. Such models can be bought or made with your own hands from improvised means, as they have an exclusively decorative function.
The fireplace, the imitation of which takes place, can be assembled and designed by the hands of an experienced professional who can recreate the necessary image, according to all the wishes and preferences of the customer. imitation of fire in the hearth of such a portal can be done in various ways, in this case a real flame is almost never used.
Main varieties
Before installing an artificial fireplace in a house or apartment, it is first of all recommended to familiarize yourself with the main varieties and variations that you can either assemble with your own hands or meet in specialized stores:
- Simulation of fire in the fireplace can be composed and reproduced without fire sources, environmentally friendly and durable materials. You can assemble a portal from drywall or polystyrene with your own hands at home. Such materials are affordable and easy to use. To work with them, you do not need an expensive and professional tool. The finished product will have a small weight, which is extremely important, especially when installed in an apartment or on the second floor of a private house. Such a false fireplace, due to its small mass, should not be decorated and decorated with heavy objects and purchased fireboxes. Drywall is heat resistant, which in turn allows you to decorate its hearth and shelves with candles. A fireplace with candles looks very elegant and charming;
- A fireplace, an apartment with which will look original, can be assembled from plywood. The plywood fireplace portal is budget-friendly. However, it is not very stable and reliable. A plywood fireplace requires high-quality surface protection, as the material quickly absorbs moisture, swells and deforms. The advantages include environmental friendliness and naturalness of the material;
- A fireplace, stone or brick for which they serve as the basis, will be more reliable and as refractory as possible. Such materials withstand high temperatures well, their sudden changes, are strong and durable. Particularly large and bulky fireplace portals may require the construction of a foundation. The price of a brick fireplace is quite high, and the construction is time-consuming. However, if desired, you can install an electric fireplace in such a portal. Since the cost of natural stone is quite high, the portal lining can be made with artificial minerals.
Creating a hearth
The model of a fireplace can be the most various. First of all, it all depends on your wishes and preferences. If you want the hearth to perform a heating function, initially pay attention to electric fireplaces for houses and apartments. You can also buy an inexpensive fireplace in our online store.
A decorative fireplace can be decorated with a garland. Such a garland fits both in the hearth, and can be located along its perimeter, or in a chaotic manner. It is recommended to select garlands with traditional classic colors of burning lamps. To give an imitation of a fire burning in the hearth, you can add ceramic logs to the hearth.
You can add a false fireplace with the help of tree branches. You can arrange them in any way. As an option: wrap the branches with foil and lace, then fix various stones, shells and other decor on the glue. At the end, you will get lacy branches, which can be placed both completely apart and in vases.
Lace can be located both along the length of the entire branch, and only in a certain area, gap. After gluing, it is necessary to allow the product to dry completely and only after that, use the decor to decorate the false fireplace. If desired, such branches can also be painted or supplemented with sparkles. Alternatively, put them in a fireplace hearth and light up with an LED garland.
You can also use candles for decoration. They can be located separately or located in various openwork candlesticks, candelabra. Install them inside the hearth or a mantelpiece can also be added. You should not place candles in white, beige, cream-colored stone, as during the operation of the decor, ugly black marks and prints from candles will remain on the surface of the portal and in the hearth.
The imitation of a fire in a fireplace can be done in one very interesting way. At the exit you will get a fireplace with candles. To do this, find 2-3 beautiful logs of the correct shape and cut 2-3 holes in each of them. In the resulting holes, lower one candle at a time. It is important that the candles are in candlesticks or in special protective frames. This will prevent the logs from catching fire during the burning of candles.
As a more expensive option, you can decorate the fireplace hearth with a salt lamp. Such a device will look stylish and impressive. The disadvantages include a fairly high cost. The main advantages are the health benefits of salts, the creation of a cozy atmosphere in a house or apartment.
An electric fireplace can also perform an exclusively decorative function. It can be equipped with a steam generator and even a humidifier!
Modern technologies and fresh solutions
An electric fireplace is a live fire - this is the most realistic means for simulating a flame. In this case, imitation is performed using modern technologies, namely an LCD screen with a three-dimensional and high-quality picture and animation.
To make any flame more voluminous and spectacular, you can install several large mirrors opposite and on the sides of the hearth, at a slight inclination. A fireplace with a mirror will create the illusion that the fire is real. You can also install mirrors in the hearth itself.
If you like to create various things with your own hands and want to get the best result, we recommend building an imitation of logs. To do this, we need decorative firewood, an LED garland or lamp, fabric and a number of other materials at hand.
The basis of our firewood is cardboard. Each log needs to be cut out of cardboard and given volume, glued together. The surface can be painted with acrylic, gouache or watercolor to choose from, and then let the firewood dry. Firewood is glued together in the form of a well and placed in the hearth. If desired, such cardboard logs can be replaced with real ones. In this case, construction adhesive is used for gluing.
To create volume and characteristic shades, you need to buy an LED lamp in advance, which will flicker in various shades. It is recommended to give preference to the characteristic color spectrum - yellow, red, orange. A translucent white fabric is used as a ceiling lamp, and the frame is constructed from four strong wires, the length of which will be 150-300 millimeters.
The light bulb is fixed inside the hearth, directly above the imitation. The wire frame is installed in the center of the well and is complemented by a translucent fabric. When turned on, a fairly realistic effect of a flame burning in the hearth will be created.
Realistic simulations
One of the most realistic options for creating an imitation is the so-called fire box. To create this effect, you need to buy LED lamps, preferably red, yellow and blue. As a reflective surface, you can choose a small mirror, foil. Also, for this effect, you will need a fabric or its scraps (silk). The so-called fire will be placed in a box.
At the first stage, we decorate the base (box) itself, after which we act according to the following step-by-step guide:
- We put the fan in the box;
- LED bulbs are located and fixed near each other;
- The space near the fan is supplemented with flaps.
Such a box with fire is placed inside the fireplace portal and allows you to reproduce a fairly realistic effect.
You can also simulate using an aquarium. In more detail, you will need to prepare an aquarium of such a size that it can be installed in the hearth. After that, a garland with LEDs is placed and fixed inside the aquarium, the container is filled with water. When you turn on the garland, the effect of blazing water will be created, which looks very original.
The interior of the aquarium can be decorated with shells, stones, algae and other elements of your choice.
The category of the most realistic and difficult to implement variations includes the creation of the illusion of a flame burning in the hearth with the help of steam. To generate steam, you will need to buy 2-3 fog generating devices (ultrasonic).
You will also need to prepare a fan, a reservoir into which water will be poured, a frame to accommodate the simulation and an RGB lamp.
Fog generating devices are installed in the inside of the box along with a fan, then we place lamps, and we install a prepared reservoir for pouring water on the generators. This effect is very realistic, but at the same time its recreation is quite expensive.
The fireplace in the interior of your apartment for the home will become a real hearth and fill the living room, bedroom with comfort. The outdoor fireplace can be both wall-mounted and island, corner, depending on your wishes and preferences. The false hearth is quite easy to install, it has small dimensions and optimal weight, and some models can be moved from place to place. To simulate a flame, you will need mostly inexpensive improvised materials, and the design itself does not require the construction of an additional foundation and a chimney.
Such a hearth will allow you to arrange cozy family evenings in the company of friends and relatives over a cup of warm tea.
Imitation of fire in a fireplace: do-it-yourself options for a false fireplace
Imitation of fire in a fireplace: do-it-yourself options for a false fireplace Initially, the fireplace in the house performed an exclusively heating function and only after that the role of decorating the interior. Today at
Fireplace: flame imitation
How pleasant it is to plunge into the contemplation of flames in the twilight in the evening, to feel the slightly bitter aroma of burning logs. But even the owners of private houses do not always dare to break walls, rebuild the attic and roof for the sake of installing a real fireplace. And this is only the first half of the case. During operation, it is necessary to harvest firewood, shovel ash, clean the chimney ... And all these efforts are mostly aimed only at creating an atmosphere, because heating houses today is much more practical and less labor- and material-intensive.
And the atmosphere of a house with a hearth will be completely recreated by a decorative false fireplace and an imitation of a flame. In this article, we will talk specifically about imitation, that is, about safe methods without an open large flame, unlike biofireplaces, which are also successfully used to decorate rooms, but have real fire.
"Fireplace: imitation of a flame with steam
- Fan 90mm;
- DMX controller Velleman K8062;
- DMX Decoder BESTEN DMX Decoder 350;
- LED RGB lamp MD-9P;
- 3 Chinese ultrasonic foggers
The diaphragm is set on top. According to Bernoulli's law, the speed of air movement near the hole increases the more, the smaller the hole in it, which makes the "flame" more realistic. You can try different aperture diameters to achieve maximum similarity.
"Theatrical" fire
So, we need:
- Large fan (preferably quiet)
- Three halogen lamps with reflectors
- Three color filters (orange, red and blue)
- Patch of white light silk
- A bowl or box to set up the base of our flame
We install a fan at the bottom of the box or bowl, bring the cord out.
Above it, on one axis, we install halogen lamps so that they shine upwards. Above them, at a distance of about 2 cm, we fix color filters. Red and orange are at the edges, blue is above the middle lamp. Such a touch will give our flame more relief and brightness.
From a piece of fabric, cut pieces of different sizes. It is desirable that these are triangles of irregular shape. So the flame will be more realistic.
We fix the flaps in a bowl or box around the fan. Everything, Our fire is ready!
Plug in the device. Under the action of the fan, the fabric flaps instantly rise up and tremble, the backlight creates a semblance of a yellow-orange flame. Reflections of light scatter along the ceiling and walls, reminiscent of reflections of natural fire.
candle fireplace
Its advantages are ease of execution and real fire, for which, unlike a wood-burning hearth, you do not need to procure fuel. Minus - candles are smoked.
Fireplace: imitation of a flame with Christmas tree garlands
Another fairly common way to create an imitation of fire. Here I will tell you how to make an imitation of a wood-burning hearth.
- Branches of the right size
- Lace (may not be new, cut from old clothes)
- Aluminium foil
- Several stones
- Christmas electric garland in yellow, orange or red colors.
Thoroughly coat the lace with glue and wrap the prepared branches in foil with it. Let it dry completely (about a day).
We lay out a circle from the stones at the installation site of the hearth. We put a garland in the middle, leave the cord with the plug outside.
Salt lamp imitation
Here are some simple ways to decorate your home, make it more comfortable and original.
Fireplace: flame imitation
in a fireplace imitation of a flame in several ways. Our advice will help you make your dream of a home a reality.
How to skillfully make an imitation of fire in a false fireplace
Design options
- ferry;
- creation of "theatrical fire";
- use of salt lamps;
- installation in the center of the TV;
- use of candles.
Steam instead of fire
This method is considered the most difficult way to simulate fire in a decorative fireplace with your own hands. Not every person can make such an imitation, since it requires a specific set of components and equipment, as well as electrician skills.
- special DMX controller;
- LED RGB lamp;
- DMX decoder;
- at the top it is illuminated by an installed LED - lamp;
"Theatrical" version
- quiet and large fan;
- the cord from it is brought out;
Note! We fix the light filters as follows: blue in the middle, and orange and red along the edges. Placing filters in this way will give the simulation more brightness and relief.
Salt lamp
The disadvantages of this method include the rather high cost of salt lamps, and the advantages are ease of installation.
Christmas garlands
- aluminium foil;
- stones (several pieces);
- glue;
TV as a fireplace
Candles and romance
The easiest, but also the most dangerous way to create the illusion of fire in a decorative fireplace is to use ordinary lighted candles.
How to skillfully make an imitation of fire in a false fireplace
Design options for a decorative fireplace in terms of imitation of natural fire. What options exist, how they are implemented, and what advantages they have. All
Imitation of fire in the fireplace with your own hands
Many people like to look at the fire. At the same time, not every person can afford to have a real fireplace in the house with a real flame in the hearth. But today, thanks to the presence of such material as drywall, you can make a decorative fireplace with your own hands.
But when all the installation work is completed, the question arises of how to create an imitation of a real fire in a fake fireplace. This article will tell you how to do it yourself in various ways.
Design options
A decorative fireplace made of drywall requires compliance with fire safety standards, since this design is not designed for real fire. In addition, the apartment completely lacks the possibility of assembling a real fireplace.
But a fireplace, even if it is decorative, requires imitation of a real fire. You can do it yourself in several ways. The most commonly used in this situation is the following imitation:
- ferry;
- creation of "theatrical fire";
- use of salt lamps;
- imitation of fire with a Christmas tree garland;
- installation in the center of the TV;
- use of candles.
Let's take a closer look at each of these options.
Steam instead of fire
This method is considered the most difficult way to simulate fire in a decorative fireplace with your own hands. Not every person can make such an imitation, since it requires a specific set of components and equipment, as well as electrician skills.
To create this kind of fire, you will need the following components:
- special DMX controller;
- fan with a diameter of 90 mm;
- LED RGB lamp;
- DMX decoder;
- three pieces of ultrasonic fog generators.
These components can be selected according to the parameters of the fireplace you have, as well as the manufacturer and characteristics. It all depends on what end result you want to get.
All these components are included in the equipment for steam electric fireplaces, as well as concert devices for creating a steam effect.
With the correct connection of components, you can create an imitation of the type of cold glow, which allows you to create an indistinguishable
from a real game of fire. If you plan to use this particular type of fire simulation, it is important to provide the necessary equipment parameters and mount the hearth of the right size.
The principle of operation of this installation is as follows:
- at the bottom of the container into which water will be poured, we put the assembled fog generator;
- This generator is equipped with a membrane that vibrates at a certain ultrasonic frequency, thus creating a reduced pressure. The result is an almost vacuum;
- due to this, water evaporates at room temperature;
- then cold steam, with the help of a fan, rises to the top;
- at the top it is illuminated by an installed LED - lamp;
- we put a diaphragm over this whole structure;
Note! Near the diaphragm, Bernoulli's law works. According to him, the speed of air movement near the hole increases the more, the smaller the hole was. Therefore, the simulation of the flame takes on a more realistic look. You can try different apertures to get the most desired simulation result.
The assembly of such equipment can be carried out according to this scheme.
Proper assembly of components will allow you to make the most realistic imitation of fire with your own hands in a decorative fireplace.
"Theatrical" version
As the name implies, this imitation is most often used in various theatrical productions. But it is also good for making an imitation of a flame in a false fireplace.
To make such an imitation with your own hands, you will need the following components:
- a piece of light white silk;
- three halogen lamps with reflectors;
- quiet and large fan;
- three color filters. It is necessary to take red, orange and blue filters;
- a box or a special bowl for assembling an imitation structure.
When all the necessary components are available, we proceed to assemble the false fire according to the following scheme:
- install a fan on the bottom of the box / bowl;
- the cord from it is brought out;
- then we fix halogen lamps above it in one axis. They must give light upwards;
- further, at a distance of 2 cm above the halogen lamps, we install light filters;
Note! We fix the filters as follows: blue in the middle, and orange and red along the edges. Placing filters in this way will give the simulation more brightness and relief.
- from the prepared shred we cut pieces of fabric of different sizes. Triangles are the best shape. They will give the flame more realism;
- we attach pieces of fabric to the box / bowl along the edges of the fan.
When you connect the fan to the electrical network, an artificial fire will appear in your fireplace.
This method is easy to implement and allows you to create an almost real flame in the fireplace.
Salt lamp
The use of salt lamps in decorative fireplaces to create an artificial flame is considered the most useful and effective way.
The salt lamp is a special lamp, the ceiling of which is made of raw salt crystal. Inside such a ceiling is a standard light bulb. When the lamp is connected, the ceiling heats up and begins to emit negative ions into the air. They bind positive ions (come from household appliances), which negatively affect the human body, thereby contributing to a better well-being of all household members.
The disadvantages of this method include the rather high cost of salt lamps, and the advantages - ease of installation.
Using shades of different colors, you can effectively and very easily make an artificial fire in the fireplace with your own hands. In addition, using several lamps of various sizes at once, you can create an imitation of a fire.
Christmas garlands
All people love the New Year. Therefore, each person in the house has more than one Christmas tree garland. But few people know that with its help you can easily and quickly make an artificial fire in a decorative fireplace with your own hands. Therefore, this method is considered one of the simplest and most effective. Moreover, anyone can handle it, and at a cost it will be very cheap.
To make the flame look like a real one, you will need the following materials:
- tree branches of various sizes;
- aluminium foil;
- lace. It is quite possible to cut it off from an old dress;
- stones (several pieces);
- glue;
- Christmas tree garland with a color background in red, orange or yellow. The best solution would be to use a flickering garland.
The simulation structure is assembled as follows:
- wrap branches with foil without gaps;
- coat the lace with glue and attach to the branches. Next, wait until they are completely dry;
Note! It will take about a day for it to dry completely.
- then you should carefully cut the lace case and remove the blanks from them;
- after that, in the hearth of stones, we lay out the stones in a circle;
- in the middle of the resulting circle we put a garland, and bring the cord with a plug out;
- we put the resulting "lace" firewood in the manner of a fire.
Stages of forming a fire
We plug the garland into the socket and enjoy the imitation of fire!
As you can see, this method is very simple to implement and will cost you much less than all other methods.
TV as a fireplace
TV in the fireplace
Another simple method to implement artificial fire in a fireplace is to use a flat LCD TV. But this method will be very costly, since such a technique is not cheap.
There are special TVs designed to be built into decorative fireplaces. They have a recording with fire, which is played in the hearth of the fireplace.
Sometimes a TV can be supplemented with a special optical system, which consists of light filters. With its help, the image of the flame will become more expressive and voluminous.
In addition to this optical system, a system of mirrors can be used. They are located at the corners of the focus, thereby making the image more voluminous.
In rare cases, you can also use holographic installations. But this is not a very cost effective way.
Candles and romance
The easiest, but also the most dangerous way to create the illusion of fire in a decorative fireplace is to use ordinary lighted candles.
But here it should be remembered that the fireplace should be sheathed with plasterboard sheets with fire-resistant properties. This will minimize the risk of fire.
Among other things, candles will be smoked, which makes this method less popular than all of the above.
This method is considered one of the design solutions to make the room romantic and fabulous. In this situation, candles can be placed individually around the perimeter of the hearth, or placed on a low candelabra.
As you can see, imitation of a flame in a decorative fireplace with your own hands is possible in a variety of ways. You will only have to choose the most suitable option for yourself, implement it correctly (if it is difficult to implement) and enjoy a decorative fireplace even in an apartment.
Facing a fireplace insert with drywall with your own hands is quite feasible. But it is necessary to take into account a number of subtleties in the selection of material and technology of work. If we talk about GKL, then it is universal. Moreover, it not only levels the surfaces, but also creates an ideal pre-finish layer, on which any finish can be applied.
Briefly about furnaces
Conventionally, they can be divided into two large groups:
- Functional: open, closed. According to the material of manufacture, steel or cast iron, brick. Such equipment requires additional refractory protection of walls and floors.
- False fireplaces. Instead of a real firebox, screens with imitation flames of fire are used. Chimneys are not installed for such devices, but electricity supply is required.
There are no restrictions on the shape of the portal (fireplace front): rectangular, complex geometric shapes, radius, corner. For every taste and color. It should be noted that finishing the fireplace with drywall with your own hands is the process of preparing a rough base for finishing cladding.
There are two main types of fireplaces: they are functional - real, and false fireplaces - an imitation of a fireplace.
Design
This is the very first stage in which several important points should be taken into account, especially for functional fireboxes:
- It is necessary to determine the place for the equipment in the room relative to the walls, the location of the furniture. At the same time, do not forget about fire safety: from combustible surfaces, the distance to the firebox is at least 700 mm.
- The base for the equipment is recommended to be made of concrete with a height of 300 mm or more. The perimeter of the foundation should extend beyond the dimensions of the firebox by 250 - 300 mm on each side.
- The recommended gap between the firebox and the plasterboard structure is 50 mm.
- An air duct should be provided.
- Podium. The design must ensure the flow of air for heating, withstand the weight of the firebox.
- The thickness of the fireproof wall finish and a technical gap of 100 mm between it and the firebox.
- To accurately determine the dimensions of the portal, one should take into account the parameters of the facing material: profiles: guide - 27 × 28 mm and rack - 27 × 60 mm). For sheathing, it is recommended to use refractory or moisture-resistant drywall with a thickness of 12.5 mm.
- The design of the portal and its decoration should organically fit into the interior.
The listed parameters will help to avoid errors during installation.
Foundation preparation
Given that fireplaces are fire hazardous equipment, it is necessary to provide for the preparation of the floor and adjacent walls before sheathing the fireplace with refractory drywall.
Floor preparation
The fireplace insert has a significant mass. Plus, it is equipment with an increased fire hazard. Therefore, at the first stage, a concrete base is prepared:
- The portal is marked on the floor.
- Formwork is installed.
- The base is primed and poured with concrete.
- After hardening, lay out the podium (4 rows of brickwork). Then install metal corners under the firebox.
- Lay the final level of masonry.
The whole process is carried out strictly according to the level. The misalignment of the foundation and the podium will cause problems with the quality installation of the firebox.
Wall preparation
The easiest option is when the adjoining wall is lined with aerated concrete, foam concrete blocks or bricks. In this case, it is plastered and whitewashed. If the adjoining wall is lined with combustible materials (logs, timber, etc.), then the following work is performed:
- Treatment of the wall with flame retardants.
- Mounting on a metal profile of a foil basalt slab. A ventilation gap is required between the wall and the cladding slab. The dimensions of the protective screen should be 500 - 600 mm larger than the dimensions of the future furnace.
- Fixing drywall, which is puttied, and clinker or porcelain tiles are laid on top.
Drywall countertop in the bathroom: how realistic is it
Other options: asbestos plate, magnesite. If the equipment will be installed in a corner, then the joint of the walls is treated with a special refractory sealant.
The same thermal insulation is made under the chimney. You should know that the gap from the refractory wall to the rear surface of the furnace must be at least 100 mm, from the combustible surface - at least 700 mm.
Installing the firebox, mounting the frame
Finishing the fireplace insert with plasterboard is carried out directly at the installation site. Therefore, the equipment is first mounted and only after that they proceed to the installation of the frame:
- A porcelain stoneware slab is installed on mastic or special glue. Time is given for freezing.
- A firebox is installed on the stove. Do not forget about the technical gap between the wall and the equipment of 100 mm.
- The dimensions of the future structure are marked on the base and wall, a frame is assembled from guides and rack profiles. All work is carried out strictly according to the level. The frame is fixed to the wall and floor using metal dowels. The fastening of profiles is carried out using press washers.
As you can see, assembling the structure for drywall should not cause difficulties.
When designing a fireplace, it must be taken into account that this equipment is flammable and a fireproof fireplace must be used.
Plasterboard cladding
It is not necessary to buy refractory boards; moisture resistant material can also be used. Cutting drywall parts is done with a simple paint knife. A cut is made along the marked line under any straight bar, after which the canvas is bent. The cardboard on the other side is cut.
When making a functional fireplace, the firebox and smoke box must be fitted with thermal insulation and a foil reflector inside the device.
Facing a fireplace insert with drywall with your own hands can cause difficulties in hard-to-reach places. And so the assembly technology does not differ from any other design from GKL:
- The sheets are sewn to the profiles using metal screws. Hats are deepened into canvases. It is better if the individual parts are cut from a single sheet. This will greatly facilitate its pre-finishing. To process the corner joints of the structure, a special drywall planer or a paint knife is used.
- For thermal insulation from the inside, sheathing is performed using a basalt slab and foil. There is foil mineral wool. But you should pay attention to the quality of the glue used in this material. It must meet safety standards and withstand prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures.
The smoke box can also be made of drywall. Thermal insulation and a foil reflector should be installed inside the device. The chimney box has holes for ventilation grilles.
Finishing
For the final cladding, the plasterboard base is prepared as follows:
- Caps from self-tapping screws are closed with putty. The composition should be selected for an aggressive environment with elevated temperatures.
- After hardening, the excess is removed with a spatula or special paint sandpaper / sandpaper.
- In conclusion, the surface is completely puttied, sanded, primed. The drywall fireplace insert finish matches the finish cladding.
GKL is a universal material, therefore porcelain stoneware, gypsum, clinker tiles, natural stone and others can be used as a finishing coating. Finishing is selected according to the style of the interior.
An interesting solution is porcelain stoneware. The modern market offers this tile with imitation for any other finishing material - marble, granite, wood. Moreover, the canvases can also have a texture for natural fibers.
Finishing a fireplace with drywall with your own hands is a simple process, but it has a number of subtleties. For false fireplaces, thermal insulation and a solid foundation are not required. It is enough just to build a plasterboard portal and choose the right finish. In the case of functioning furnaces, it is recommended to contact professionals who will perform high-quality installation, which will ensure equipment reliability and fire safety.
Imitation of fire in the fireplace with your own hands
Imitation of fire in the fireplace with their own hands Many people like to look at the fire. At the same time, not every person can afford to have a real fireplace in the house with a real flame in the hearth. But today,
Imitation of fire can be achieved by placing candles in a fireplace niche. Many do just that, while creating a kind of additional comfort in the room. To enhance the effect, mirrors can be placed on the inner walls of the fireplace.
A good option would be to use real logs, which are laid out on a shelf inside the fireplace, and the burning effect is achieved using LED strips.
To simulate a fire with your own hands, an electric fireplace or a biofireplace is also suitable. They are placed inside on a shelf and plugged into the network.
steam generator
More complex designs are also more realistic. A good effect is given by a system using water vapor. It consists of the following components:
Fog generators are placed in a box. The water poured into them begins to evaporate and rises under the action of the fan. The steam is illuminated by a lamp and creates the effect of a flame.
electric motor
Also popular are models using an electric motor. A small motor rotates a drum or other figured part, through which the light from the LED lamp passes, due to which the effect of a burning fire is achieved. Highlights and shadows fall on dummies of firewood or the screen. Since everything happens in motion, the picture is bright and spectacular. In addition, the design can be made so that the speed of movement and the intensity of light change. However, everything looks rather unnatural and artificial.
This model can be somewhat improved by adding illumination of the internal walls and a translucent screen, as well as a device that will imitate the crackle of burning firewood. Unfortunately, the use of a large number of electrical appliances leads to the fact that they will add their own noise.
TV set
Separately, it is worth noting the designs based on the use of TVs. To be more precise, it is placed inside the fireplace LCD screen, which displays the image. Most often these are flames. But if you wish, you can start up an image of beautiful landscapes, etc. A good effect can be achieved if the screen is supplemented with an optical system that includes light filters, lenses and glass. This allows you to make the image three-dimensional.
3d image
The fire in the fireplace can be created very realistically using holography. For this, a flat image is used, which acquires three-dimensionality with the help of special technologies. If you add an optical system and LED lights, you can achieve a very realistic image of a flame in a small space. In this case, the depth of the picture will exceed the actual depth of the fireplace.
LED technologies
Also, an excellent effect can be achieved using LED technology or Real Fire. They are based on the principle cold fire. An important element of the system is an ultrasonic fireplace steam generator. The steam emanating from it is illuminated by halogen lamps. To give the desired color, special filters are used. At the same time, the steam below glows brighter and resembles a real fire. Above, the light is dimmer, which creates a smokey effect. Making an ultrasonic steam generator with your own hands will not be difficult for you.
Pepper's Ghost
In other technologies, a technique called Pepper's ghost and used by theater directors and magicians comes to the rescue. For example, they are used mirrors installed in a niche at different angles. Thus, it turns out to combine individual objects into one three-dimensional picture. The Opti-Virtual series allows you to connect a virtual image of a fire with sparks to a fake log. Using this technology, you can achieve extraordinary realism. The hearth looks very natural.
Made of silk fabric
Many people like to look at the fire. At the same time, not every person can afford to have a real fireplace in the house with a real flame in the hearth. But today, thanks to the presence of such material as drywall, you can make a decorative fireplace with your own hands.
But when all the installation work is completed, the question arises of how to create an imitation of a real fire in a fake fireplace. This article will tell you how to do it yourself in various ways.
A decorative fireplace made of drywall requires compliance with fire safety standards, since this design is not designed for real fire. In addition, the apartment completely lacks the possibility of assembling a real fireplace.
But a fireplace, even if it is decorative, requires imitation of a real fire. You can do it yourself in several ways. The most commonly used in this situation is the following imitation:
- ferry;
- creation of "theatrical fire";
- use of salt lamps;
- imitation of fire with a Christmas tree garland;
- installation in the center of the TV;
- use of candles.
Let's take a closer look at each of these options.
Steam instead of fire
Ferry simulation
This method is considered the most difficult way to simulate fire in a decorative fireplace with your own hands. Not every person can make such an imitation, since it requires a specific set of components and equipment, as well as electrician skills.
To create this kind of fire, you will need the following components:
- special DMX controller;
- fan with a diameter of 90 mm;
- LED RGB lamp;
- DMX decoder;
- three pieces of ultrasonic fog generators.
These components can be selected according to the parameters of the fireplace you have, as well as the manufacturer and characteristics. It all depends on what end result you want to get.
All these components are included in the equipment for steam electric fireplaces, as well as concert devices for creating a steam effect.
With the correct connection of components, you can create an imitation of the type of cold glow, which allows you to create an indistinguishable
from a real game of fire. If you plan to use this particular type of fire simulation, it is important to provide the necessary equipment parameters and mount the hearth of the right size.
The principle of operation of this installation is as follows:
- at the bottom of the container into which water will be poured, we put the assembled fog generator;
- This generator is equipped with a membrane that vibrates at a certain ultrasonic frequency, thus creating a reduced pressure. The result is an almost vacuum;
- due to this, water evaporates at room temperature;
- then cold steam, with the help of a fan, rises to the top;
- at the top it is illuminated by an installed LED - lamp;
- we put a diaphragm over this whole structure;
Note! Near the diaphragm, Bernoulli's law works. According to him, the speed of air movement near the hole increases the more, the smaller the hole was. Therefore, the simulation of the flame takes on a more realistic look. You can try different apertures to get the most desired simulation result.
The assembly of such equipment can be carried out according to this scheme.
Scheme
Proper assembly of components will allow you to make the most realistic imitation of fire with your own hands in a decorative fireplace.
"Theatrical" version
As the name implies, this imitation is most often used in various theatrical productions. But it is also good for making an imitation of a flame in a false fireplace.
"Theatrical" imitation
To make such an imitation with your own hands, you will need the following components:
- a piece of light white silk;
- three halogen lamps with reflectors;
- quiet and large fan;
- three color filters. It is necessary to take red, orange and blue filters;
- a box or a special bowl for assembling an imitation structure.
When all the necessary components are available, we proceed to assemble the false fire according to the following scheme:
- install a fan on the bottom of the box / bowl;
- the cord from it is brought out;
- then we fix halogen lamps above it in one axis. They must give light upwards;
- further, at a distance of 2 cm above the halogen lamps, we install light filters;
Note! We fix the light filters as follows: blue in the middle, and orange and red along the edges. Placing filters in this way will give the simulation more brightness and relief.
Installation of filters
- from the prepared shred we cut pieces of fabric of different sizes. Triangles are the best shape. They will give the flame more realism;
- we attach pieces of fabric to the box / bowl along the edges of the fan.
When you connect the fan to the electrical network, an artificial fire will appear in your fireplace.
This method is easy to implement and allows you to create an almost real flame in the fireplace.
Salt lamp
The use of salt lamps in decorative fireplaces to create an artificial flame is considered the most useful and effective way.
Salt lamp
The salt lamp is a special lamp, the ceiling of which is made of raw salt crystal. Inside such a ceiling is a standard light bulb. When the lamp is connected, the ceiling heats up and begins to emit negative ions into the air. They bind positive ions (come from household appliances), which negatively affect the human body, thereby contributing to a better well-being of all household members.
The disadvantages of this method include the rather high cost of salt lamps, and the advantages are ease of installation.
Using shades of different colors, you can effectively and very easily make an artificial fire in the fireplace with your own hands. In addition, using several lamps of various sizes at once, you can create an imitation of a fire.
Christmas garlands
Branch preparation
All people love the New Year. Therefore, each person in the house has more than one Christmas tree garland. But few people know that with its help you can easily and quickly make an artificial fire in a decorative fireplace with your own hands. Therefore, this method is considered one of the simplest and most effective. Moreover, anyone can handle it, and at a cost it will be very cheap.
To make the flame look like a real one, you will need the following materials:
- tree branches of various sizes;
- aluminium foil;
- lace. It is quite possible to cut it off from an old dress;
- stones (several pieces);
- glue;
- Christmas tree garland with a color background in red, orange or yellow. The best solution would be to use a flickering garland.
The simulation structure is assembled as follows:
- wrap branches with foil without gaps;
- coat the lace with glue and attach to the branches. Next, wait until they are completely dry;
Note! It will take about a day for it to dry completely.
- then you should carefully cut the lace case and remove the blanks from them;
- after that, in the hearth of stones, we lay out the stones in a circle;
- in the middle of the resulting circle we put a garland, and bring the cord with a plug out;
- we put the resulting "lace" firewood in the manner of a fire.
Stages of forming a fire
We plug the garland into the socket and enjoy the imitation of fire!
As you can see, this method is very simple to implement and will cost you much less than all other methods.
TV as a fireplace
TV in the fireplace
Another simple method to implement artificial fire in a fireplace is to use a flat LCD TV. But this method will be very costly, since such a technique is not cheap.
There are special TVs designed to be built into decorative fireplaces. They have a recording with fire, which is played in the hearth of the fireplace.
Sometimes a TV can be supplemented with a special optical system, which consists of light filters. With its help, the image of the flame will become more expressive and voluminous.
In addition to this optical system, a system of mirrors can be used. They are located at the corners of the focus, thereby making the image more voluminous.
In rare cases, you can also use holographic installations. But this is not a very cost effective way.
Candles and romance
The easiest, but also the most dangerous way to create the illusion of fire in a decorative fireplace is to use ordinary lighted candles.
Candles in the fireplace
But here it should be remembered that the fireplace should be sheathed with plasterboard sheets with fire-resistant properties. This will minimize the risk of fire.
Among other things, candles will be smoked, which makes this method less popular than all of the above.
This method is considered one of the design solutions to make the room romantic and fabulous. In this situation, candles can be placed individually around the perimeter of the hearth, or placed on a low candelabra.
As you can see, imitation of a flame in a decorative fireplace with your own hands is possible in a variety of ways. You will only have to choose the most suitable option for yourself, implement it correctly (if it is difficult to implement) and enjoy a decorative fireplace even in an apartment.
