How to make an artificial fire for a false fireplace. Do-it-yourself imitation of fire in the fireplace, available options
The fireplace is a source of pride. It has long been used for cooking and heating rooms in the cold season. Nowadays, it is more often used as a design attribute. Apartment owners often also want to put up a fireplace, but this is almost impossible. For this, the electric fireplace was invented. It is not necessary to purchase it ready-made, 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 laborious process. But it's worth it. He 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 are its main components. It includes two main elements: hearth and portal. The first is an electronic system in which the flame is transmitted. 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 is also quite possible to do it 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 structure.
Corner or wall-mounted - where to install a false fireplace?
Carefully approach the question of the location of the future structure, because after you build it, it will be extremely problematic to move it to another place.
Experts advise to make a layout of the structure and try it on in different meta. The layout can be created, for example, from cardboard with the exact dimensions of the fireplace.
There are several points 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 an electric fireplace can be made of drywall, stone, precious 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 precious room space is saved.
Another version of the false fireplace scheme
Materials and tools
The amount of materials required is calculated individually. This is where a detailed drawing comes to the rescue. With its help, 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 start work on the construction of the portal.
Cutting drywall according to the required dimensions, which are planned according to the project of the electric fireplace
Installing the frame is a simple task
Drywall is attached to the frame with self-tapping screws
This is the appearance of an unfinished and unidentified portal.
With putty, you can create a perfectly flat surface
Sandpaper perfectly smooths out those meta 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, mosaics, stucco and so on.
How to arrange - making decorative firewood
The cardboard is rolled into tubes
Self-creation of a dummy firewood is not a difficult task.
Elements are connected to each other
They can be made from materials that everyone has at hand. As an example, we will consider firewood, which is made from cardboard, glue, tape and paint.
Simulated logs need to be painted
Of course, decorative pallets can be purchased ready-made. Only they are not cheap.
First, cut out a cardboard piece for firewood. Then glue this blank so that it begins to resemble a log. Color the resulting wood and place it in the hearth.
Decorative cardboard logs laid in an imitated 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 proceed to its construction. The hearths are ordinary or imitate a living flame. The first can be done using materials that anyone has at hand: candles, cloth, wire, wooden twigs. The living flame becomes a little more complicated. Let's consider all the options.
From candles
Do not forget that it is not an imitated fire that comes off the candles, but a real one, so you need to be extremely careful with it
If you put a lot of candles in the fireplace, the illusion of burning fire will be created. The candles must be placed at different spacing and at different heights.
The disadvantage of this option is that the candles are smoked, so the use of candles for fireplaces of light shades is not recommended, since 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 lamp holder, which will randomly sparkle with red and yellow shades. Then, lay out tree branches in the fireplace and glue them with construction glue. Slide the cover from below and fix it on the branches.
Cut four pieces of sturdy wire, 25 cm each. Attach some of their ends to the branches, twist the others together at the top. The last step is to secure a lightweight fabric like chiffon or organza over the pieces of wire.
Use a fabric that allows light to pass through easily and at the same time hides the wire frame and socket. Thick tulle will do. The main thing is that the material is uniform, without embroidery.
Garland, stones and laces - hearth materials
The light from the garland penetrates through the transparent lace and creates the illusion of burning
Use fine lace. Thus, the illusion of burning a 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 - 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-colored 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 the hole in the aquarium through which it is necessary to pass the wire from the diodes. It needs to 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 sized and inserted into the fireplace portal.
Flame from pieces of white silk
Hearth for an electric fireplace with a flame effect achieved by waving scraps of fabric from a stream of air and illuminated by LEDs
This method was used during performances 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 difficult option for creating the illusion of fire and you cannot do without the skills of an electrician.
The final version of the created effect of live fire, which is achieved by means of water vapor
It is made of a fan, three ultrasonic fog generators, an LED lamp, a DMX converter (for coordinating the program of diode lamps), distilled water, a box and a DMX controller (for transmitting data from a diode lamp to other elements).
Video: framing a drywall electric fireplace
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 your imagination and create a clear plan-project. The rest is a matter of technology. 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 a decoration. And the usual types of fuel are being replaced by biofuels or electricity. Therefore, making a 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, first of all, it's a matter of aesthetics. And secondly, you don't need deep knowledge in the field of stove equipment 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 warming up of the room, electric fireplaces are a plus 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 you add a dummy of firewood to such a structure, 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 similar 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.
The imitation of wood or coal, made of plastic, has a very simple principle of operation. Usually such objects are illuminated with red bulbs.
This option is also possible when a light bulb is inside each element. Of course, this is not entirely realistic, but still.
For more expensive fireplace models, a flickering picture or imitation of tongues of artificial flame 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 dummy firewood, or inside it.
The exact same lighting system can be used to achieve a burning effect using real coal, which is placed in a fireplace niche.
In this case, the dummy and coals are illuminated from the bottom. The imitation of plastic firewood and coals is certainly not perfect, and it has its own errors.
To hide all the flaws 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 disguise for shortcomings.
In expensive models of electric fireplaces, you can find several methods of simulating fire. For the realism of the picture, they use not only dummies of firewood, but also mirrors, with strips of foil or ribbons, in which backlighting lights are colored, creating the illusion of flames. In addition to everything, the models are equipped with various functions, a steam supply that simulates smoke from a fire, a sound device that reproduces sounds similar to the crackling of wood.
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.
Making decorative firewood
It is quite easy to make decorative firewood with your own hands, for this you can use the materials that almost every person can find.
Stores offer ready-made firewood made of plastic or ceramic, 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 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 consists in gluing the cut blanks. To do this, the rectangular sheets of cardboard must be rolled tightly. You can use glue or tape for gluing. Short rolls are attached at an arbitrary angle to a longer workpiece, forming the remainder of a branch.
- The third stage involves painting the blanks. To do this, you can use paint of various colors, black, white or brown. The main purpose of coloring is maximum realism.
The final step of staining is varnishing the logs. - And the last stage is putting the logs into the niche of the electric fireplace. They can be stacked in any direction, crossing or placing in a specific order.
Based on this, wood imitation for a fireplace is very easy to do with your own hands, it will not require large financial costs, and you will definitely get pleasure from the final result.
Decorative Firewood
Placing decorative firewood
Special attention should be paid to the location of firewood in the fireplace niche. You can do this with your own hands and give the hearth a more aesthetic look, it will become more believable.
To place a dummy of logs in a fireplace niche, you need to decide on the installation option.
Imitation of firewood in combination with other decorative elements, such as stones or candles, looks quite impressive.
If, for some reason, it is impossible to place artificial firewood in the depth of the firebox, you can place a separate emphasis on firewood by placing them outside the hearth.
In addition, you can build a firebox with your own hands, in which decorative firewood is placed.
With a harmonious selection of furnace 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 simulated thanks to the volumetric image;
- the illusion of burning is created;
- cold fire and fan;
- fiery effect from a 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 a house with a fiery hologram will not be difficult. The picture in 3D format is placed in a decorative fireplace so that its edges are invisible. An optical illusion is created by the LED backlighting scheme.
Do-it-yourself artificial firewood made for the fireplace will serve as an excellent addition to the decoration.
Fire decoration with hologram
Create the illusion of fire
To embody the idea, mirrors are needed, they are placed in the fireplace and give the illusion of space. The angles between the glasses must be different. LED lamps are additionally applied to the design of the virtual flame. The model works as follows: the fire of the electric fireplace is reflected from the mirror surface. Due to the fact that the mirrors distort the image, a three-dimensional effect is achieved, the sparks seem to fly, and the flames move in all directions. You 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 a fireplace is using an ordinary fan and red scraps of fabric. The process will not take long. Triangular scraps of fabric are glued around the edges of the cardboard box. At the corners are LED lamps, blue, red and yellow, on the sides are small mirrors and optical filters. The fan is installed so that the blown air flows upward.
Finally, 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 steam generator, a stunningly beautiful hearth with artificial flame is obtained. It will take 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.
Simulating fire in a fireplace using 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 over the ultrasonic devices. The luminaire is fixed above the fan. The structure is connected to the network.
The artificial fire produced by the generator is quite realistic.
Natural backlit logs
Real logs can be used as decorative firewood for a fireplace with LED strip lighting. For this, yellow, red and white LEDs are suitable. The logs are beautifully laid 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 fireplace logs are made of ceramics. They are safe and durable. LED backlighting is also appropriate here.
DIY artificial fire and decorative firewood for a fireplace
Do-it-yourself artificial fire and decorative firewood for a fireplace with lighting. Types and options for mounting the backlight
Imitation of fire in the fireplace: options for a false fireplace with your own hands
Initially, the fireplace in the house served exclusively as a heating function and only after that the role of interior decoration. Today, the 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, since they have an exclusively decorative function.
A fireplace, the imitation of which takes place, can be assembled and designed by the hands of an experienced professional who will be able to 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, real flame in this case 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 both assemble with your own hands and meet in specialized stores:
- A simulated fireplace fire can be compiled and reproduced without fire hazard sources, environmentally friendly and durable materials. You can assemble a drywall or polystyrene portal with your own hands at home. Such materials are affordable and easy to use. You don't need an expensive and professional tool to work with them. The finished product will be lightweight, which is extremely important, especially when installed in an apartment or on the second floor of a private house. Due to its small mass, such a false fireplace should not be decorated and made out with heavy objects and purchased fireboxes. Drywall is heat resistant, which in turn allows you to decorate its hearth and shelves with candles. The 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 notable for its budget. However, it is not very stable and reliable. A plywood fireplace requires high-quality surface protection, since 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 a base will be more reliable and maximally refractory. Such materials withstand high temperatures well, their sharp drops, are distinguished by their strength and durability. Especially large and bulky fireplace portals may require a foundation. The price of a brick fireplace is quite high, and construction is time consuming. However, an electric fireplace can be installed in such a portal, if desired. Since the cost of natural stone is quite high, the facing of the portal can be done with artificial minerals.
Creating a hearth
A fake fireplace can be very diverse. 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 the house and apartment. 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 choose 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 complement a false fireplace with tree branches. You can arrange them in any way. Alternatively: wrap the branches with foil and lace, and then glue various stones, shells and other decor. At the exit, you will have lace branches that can be placed either completely apart or in vases.
Lace can be located both along the length of the entire branch, and only in a certain area, an interval. After gluing, it is necessary to let the product dry completely and only after that, use the decor to decorate a false fireplace. If desired, such branches can also be painted or supplemented with glitter. Alternatively, place them in the fireplace and illuminate them with an LED string.
You can also use candles for decoration. They can be placed separately or in various openwork candlesticks, candelabra. Install them inside the hearth or a mantel can also be added. You should not place candles in a stone of white, beige, cream shades, since during the operation of the decor, ugly black traces and prints from candles will remain on the surface of the portal and in the hearth.
Simulating fire in a fireplace can be done in one very interesting way. At the exit you will receive 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. Dip one candle into the resulting holes. It is important that the candles are in candlesticks or in special protective frames. This will prevent the logs from catching fire while the candles are burning.
As a more expensive option, you can decorate the fireplace with a salt lamp. Such a device will look stylish and impressive. The disadvantages include the relatively high cost. The main advantages are the health benefits of salts, creating a cozy atmosphere in the 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
Electric fireplace live fire is the most realistic way to simulate a flame. In this case, imitation is carried out using modern technologies, namely an LCD screen with a voluminous and high-quality picture and animation.
To make any flame more voluminous and effective, you can install several large mirrors opposite and on the sides of the hearth, at a slight tilt. 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. The surface can be painted with acrylic, gouache or watercolors of your choice, and then let the wood dry. The firewood is glued together in the shape of a well and placed in the hearth. If desired, such cardboard logs can be replaced with real ones. In this case, construction glue is used for gluing.
To create volume and characteristic shades, you need to buy an LED lamp in advance, which will flicker in different shades. It is recommended to give preference to the characteristic color spectrum - yellow, red, orange. A translucent white fabric is used as a shade, 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, right above the imitation. A wire frame is installed in the center of the well and is complemented by a translucent fabric. When turned on, a rather 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 box of fire. To create this effect, you need to buy LED lamps, preferably in red, yellow and blue. As a reflective surface, you can choose a small mirror, foil. Also for this effect you will need fabric or its scraps (silk). The so called fire will be placed in the box.
At the first stage, we decorate the base itself (box), after which we act according to the following step-by-step guide:
- We place the fan in the box;
- LED bulbs are located and fixed next to each other;
- The space around the fan is supplemented with rags.
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. More specifically, you will need to prepare an aquarium that is large enough to sit in the hearth. After that, a garland with LEDs is placed inside the aquarium and fixed, 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.
Creation of the illusion of a flame burning in the hearth with the help of steam belongs to the category of the most realistic and difficult to implement variations. To generate steam, you will need to buy 2-3 mist generating devices (ultrasonic).
You will also need to prepare a fan, a reservoir into which water will be poured, a frame for placing an imitation and an RGB lamp.
Devices that generate fog are installed in the inner part of the box together with a fan, then we place the lamps, and we install a prepared reservoir on the generators for pouring water. This effect is very realistic, but at the same time it is quite expensive to recreate it.
A fireplace in the interior of your apartment for a home will become a real hearth and fill the living room, bedroom with comfort. The floor-standing fireplace can be either wall-mounted or island, corner, depending on your wishes and preferences. The false hearth is quite simple to install, it has small dimensions and optimal weight, and some models can be rearranged from place to place. To simulate a flame, you will need mostly inexpensive materials at hand, and the structure itself does not require the construction of an additional foundation and a chimney.
Such a hearth will allow you to arrange cozy family evenings with friends and relatives over a cup of warm tea.
Imitation of fire in the fireplace: options for a false fireplace with your own hands
Imitation of fire in the fireplace: options for a false fireplace with your own hands Initially, the fireplace in the house performed exclusively a heating function and only after that the role of interior decoration. Today at
Fireplace: simulated flame
How pleasant it is in the evening in the twilight to plunge into the contemplation of the tongues of flame, to feel the slightly bitter aroma of burning logs. But even the owners of private houses do not always dare to break the walls, rebuild the attic and the roof in order to install a real fireplace. And this is only the first half of the story. During operation, you need to harvest firewood, rake out ash, clean the chimney ... And all these efforts are mainly aimed at creating an atmosphere, because heating houses today is much more practical and less labor-intensive and material-intensive.
And the atmosphere of a house with a hearth will be fully recreated by a decorative false fireplace and imitation of a flame. In this article we will talk specifically about imitation, that is, about safe methods without an open large flame, in contrast to biofireplaces, which are also successfully used to decorate rooms, but have real fire.
"Fireplace: simulated flame with steam
- Fan 90 mm;
- DMX controller Velleman K8062;
- DMX decoder BESTEN DMX Decoder 350;
- LED RGB-lamp MD-9P;
- 3 Chinese ultrasonic fog generators
A diaphragm is installed 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 diaphragm diameters to get the most similarity.
"Theater" fire
So, we need:
- Large fan (preferably quiet)
- Three halogen lamps with reflectors
- Three color filters (orange, red and blue)
- White Light Silk Flap
- A bowl or box for arranging 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 upward. Above them, at a distance of about 2 cm, we fix the colored filters. Red and orange are at the edges, blue is above the middle lamp. Such a stroke will give our flame more relief and brightness.
Cut pieces of different sizes from a flap of fabric. It is desirable that these are triangles of irregular shape. This will make the flames more realistic.
We fix the flaps in a bowl or box around the fan. Everything, Our fire is ready!
We plug the device into an outlet. Under the action of the fan, the flaps of fabric instantly rise up and flutter, the backlight creates a kind of yellow-orange flame. Reflections of light scatter across the ceiling and walls, reminiscent of natural fire reflections.
Candle fireplace
Its advantages are simplicity of execution and real fire, for which, unlike a wood-burning hearth, it is not necessary to prepare fuel. Minus - candles are smoked.
Fireplace: imitation of a flame using Christmas tree garlands
Another fairly common way to create simulated fire. Here I will show you how to simulate a wood-burning hearth.
- Branches of the right size
- Lace (maybe not new, cut from old clothes)
- Aluminium foil
- Several stones
- Christmas tree electric garland in yellow, orange or red colors.
Thoroughly coat the lace with glue and wrap the prepared branches in foil with it. Leave it to dry completely (about a day).
We lay out a circle from the stones at the site of the hearth. We put a garland in the middle, leave the cord with a plug outside.
Salt lamp simulation
These are the simple ways to decorate your home, make it cozier and more original.
Fireplace: simulated flame
in the fireplace simulate flame in several ways. Our tips will help you make your home dream come true
How to skillfully make an imitation of fire in a false fireplace
Design options
- ferry;
- the creation of "theatrical fire";
- use of salt lamps;
- installation in the hearth of a TV;
- use of candles.
Steam instead of fire
The most difficult way to simulate fire in a decorative fireplace with your own hands is this method. Not every person can make such an imitation, since a specific set of components and equipment, as well as the skills of an electrician, are required here.
- special DMX controller;
- LED RGB lamp;
- DMX decoder;
- at the top, it is illuminated by the installed LED - lamp;
"Theater" option
- quiet and large fan;
- we bring the cord out of it;
Note! We attach the filters as follows: in the middle, blue, and along the edges, orange and red. Placing filters in this way will give the imitation more brightness and relief.
Salt lamp
The disadvantages of this method include the rather high cost of salt lamps, and the advantages include ease of installation.
Christmas garlands
- aluminium foil;
- stones (several pieces);
- glue;
TV as a fireplace
Candles and romance
The simplest, 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 are there, how are they implemented, and what advantages they have. All
Do-it-yourself imitation of fire in the fireplace
Many people like to look at fire. At the same time, not every person can afford to have a real fireplace with a real flame in the hearth in the house. 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 you can create an imitation of a real fire in a fake fireplace. This article will show you how to do it yourself in various ways.
Design options
A decorative fireplace made of plasterboard requires compliance with fire safety standards, since this design is not designed for a real fire. In addition, there is no possibility of assembling a real fireplace in the apartment.
But a fireplace, even if it is decorative, requires an imitation of real fire. You can do it yourself in several ways. The following imitation is most often used in this situation:
- ferry;
- the creation of "theatrical fire";
- use of salt lamps;
- imitation of fire using a Christmas tree garland;
- installation in the hearth of a 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 the skills of an electrician.
To create this kind of fire, you 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 kind of end result you want to get.
All these components are included in equipment for steam electric fireplaces, as well as concert devices to create 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 for the necessary equipment parameters and mount a hearth of the required size.
The principle of operation of this installation is as follows:
- on the bottom of the container into which water will be poured, put the assembled fog generator;
- this generator is equipped with a diaphragm that vibrates at a specific ultrasonic frequency, thus creating a reduced pressure. The result is practically a vacuum;
- due to this, water evaporates at room temperature;
- then cold steam, with the help of a fan, rises the top;
- at the top, it is illuminated by the installed LED - lamp;
- we put a diaphragm over this whole structure;
Note! Bernoulli's law works near the diaphragm. According to it, the speed of air movement near the hole increases the more the smaller the hole diameter is. Therefore, the simulated flame becomes more realistic. You can try different apertures to get the best possible simulation result.
The assembly of such equipment can be carried out according to this scheme.
Correct assembly of components will allow you to make the most realistic imitation of fire with your own hands in a decorative fireplace.
"Theater" option
As the name suggests, this imitation is most commonly 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. You need 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 the assembly of the false fire according to the following scheme:
- we install a fan on the bottom of the box / bowl;
- we bring the cord out of it;
- then we attach halogen lamps above it in one axis. They must give light upward;
- then, at a distance of 2 cm above the halogen lamps, we install light filters;
Note! We attach the filters as follows: in the middle, blue, and along the edges, orange and red. Placing filters in this way will give the imitation more brightness and relief.
- cut pieces of fabric of different sizes from the prepared shred. Triangles are considered the best shape. They will make the flame more realistic;
- attach the pieces of fabric to the drawer / 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 artificial flames is considered the most beneficial and effective method.
The salt lamp is a special lamp, the shade of which is made of untreated salt crystal. There is a standard light bulb inside this shade. When the lamp is connected, the cover heats up and begins to emit negative ions into the air. They bind positive ions (emanating 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 include 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 different 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, any person can cope with it, and in terms of cost it will cost very cheaply.
To make the flame look like a real flame, you will need the following materials:
- branches of trees 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 having a colored background in red, orange or yellow. The best solution would be to use a twinkling garland.
The assembly of the simulation structure is as follows:
- we wrap branches with foil without gaps;
- we coat the lace with glue and attach it to the branches. Next, we wait until they are completely dry;
Note! It will take about a day to dry completely.
- then you should carefully cut the lace case and get the blanks out of them;
- after that, in the hearth of stones, lay the stones in a circle;
- put a garland in the middle of the resulting circle, and bring the cord with a plug out;
- we put the resulting "lace" firewood in the manner of a fire.
Stages of bonfire formation
Plug in the garland and enjoy simulating fire!
As you can see, this method is very easy to implement and will cost you much less money than all other methods.
TV as a fireplace
TV in the fireplace
Another of the simplest methods of implementing artificial fire in a fireplace is to use a flat-panel LCD TV. But this method will be very costly, since this technique is not cheap.
There are special televisions designed for use in decorative fireplaces. They have a recording with fire, which is played in the hearth of the fireplace.
Sometimes the 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.
Besides this optical system, a mirror system can be used. They are located at the corners of the hearth, 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 simplest, 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, the candles will smoke, which makes this method less popular than all of the above.
This method is considered one of the design solutions to give the room romance and fabulousness. In this situation, candles can be placed either individually around the perimeter of the hearth, or installed on a low chandelier.
As you can see, imitation of a flame in a decorative fireplace with your own hands is possible in a variety of ways. You just have to choose the most suitable option for yourself, implement it correctly (if it is difficult to execute) and enjoy the decorative fireplace even in the apartment.
Facing the fireplace insert with plasterboard with your own hands is quite feasible. But you should take into account a number of subtleties in the selection of material and work technology. If we talk about GCR, then it is universal. Moreover, it not only evens out the surfaces, but also creates an ideal pre-finishing layer on which any finish can be applied.
Briefly about furnaces
They can be conditionally divided into two large groups:
- Functional: open, closed. According to the material of manufacture, steel or cast iron, brick. Such equipment requires additional fireproofing of walls and floors.
- False fireplaces. Instead of a real firebox, screens with imitation of tongues of fire are used. For such devices, chimneys are not installed, but an electricity supply is required.
There are no restrictions on the shape of the portal (fireplace facade): rectangular, complex geometric shapes, radius, angular. For every taste and color. It should be noted that decorating a fireplace with plasterboard with your own hands is the process of preparing a rough base for finishing.
There are two main types of fireplaces: functional - real, and false fireplaces - imitation of a fireplace.
Design
This is the very first stage in which several important points should be taken into account, especially for functional fireplaces:
- It is necessary to determine the place for the equipment in the room relative to the walls, the location of furniture. At the same time, do not forget about fire safety: the distance from combustible surfaces to the furnace is at least 700 mm.
- The base for the equipment is recommended to be made of concrete with a height of 300 mm. 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 construction is 50 mm.
- A duct should be provided for the air outlet.
- Podium. The design must provide an air flow for heating, withstand the weight of the furnace.
- The thickness of the fireproof wall finish and the technical gap of 100 mm between it and the firebox.
- To accurately determine the dimensions of the portal, the parameters of the facing material should be taken into account: profiles: guide - 27 × 28 mm and rack - 27 × 60 mm). For cladding, it is recommended to use fireproof or moisture-resistant drywall 12.5 mm thick.
- The design of the portal and its decoration should organically fit into the interior.
The listed parameters will help to avoid mistakes during installation.
Foundation preparation
Considering that fireplaces are fire hazardous equipment, it is necessary to provide for the preparation of the floor and adjoining walls before sheathing the fireplace with fireproof drywall.
Floor preparation
The fireplace insert is heavy. Plus is equipment with increased fire hazard. Therefore, at the first stage, a concrete base is prepared:
- The portal is marked on the floor.
- The formwork is being installed.
- The base is primed and poured with concrete.
- After hardening, lay out the podium (4 rows of brickwork). Then the metal corners are installed under the firebox.
- The final masonry level is laid.
The whole process is carried out strictly according to the level. A skew of the foundation and 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, beams, etc.), then the following work is performed:
- Wall treatment with fire retardants.
- Fastening to a metal profile of a foil-clad basalt slab. A ventilation gap is required between the wall and the cladding board. The dimensions of the protective screen should exceed the dimensions of the future furnace by 500 - 600 mm.
- Fastening drywall, which is putty, and clinker or porcelain tiles are laid on top.
Plasterboard countertop in the bathroom: how real is it
Other options: asbestos board, magnesite. If the equipment will be installed in a corner, then the wall joint 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.
Installation of the firebox, installation of the frame
Plasterboard finishing of the fireplace insert is carried out directly at the installation site. Therefore, first, the equipment is mounted and only after that they begin to install the frame:
- A porcelain stoneware slab is installed on the mastic or special glue. Time is given to solidify.
- 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 on the wall, the 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 profiles are fastened using press washers.
As you can see, the assembly of the structure for drywall should not cause difficulties.
When designing a fireplace, it is necessary to take into account that this equipment is flammable and a fireproof fireplace must be used.
Plasterboard cladding
It is not necessary to buy refractory plates, you can also use a moisture-resistant material. The cutting of plasterboard parts is done with a simple painting knife. A cut is made along the marked line for any straight bar, after which the canvas is bent. The cardboard on the other side is trimmed.
When making a functional fireplace, the firebox and the smoke extraction box must be installed 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 construction made of gypsum board:
- Sheets are sewn to profiles using metal screws. The hats are deepened into the canvases. It is better if the individual parts are cut from a solid sheet. This will greatly facilitate its prefinishing. To process the corner joints of the structure, a special plasterboard plane or a painting knife is used.
- For thermal insulation from the inside, the cladding is performed using a basalt slab and foil. There is foil mineral wool. But attention should be paid 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 plasterboard. Install thermal insulation and foil-clad reflector inside the device. Openings for ventilation grilles are provided in the chimney box.
Finishing
For the final cladding, the plasterboard base is prepared as follows:
- The caps are closed with a putty from the screws. The composition should be selected for an aggressive environment with high temperatures.
- After hardening, the excess is removed with a spatula or a special painting paper / sandpaper.
- Finally, the surface is completely putty, sanded, primed. The finishing of the plasterboard fireplace insert has approached the finishing cladding.
GKL is a universal material, therefore, porcelain stoneware, gypsum, clinker tiles, natural stone and others can be used as a topcoat. The finishing is selected to match the style of the interior.
An interesting solution is porcelain stoneware. The modern market offers this tile imitating any other finishing material - marble, granite, wood. Moreover, the canvases can also have a texture like natural fibers.
Decorating a fireplace with plasterboard 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 a suitable finish. In the case of functioning fireboxes, it is recommended to contact professionals who will perform high-quality installation, which will ensure the reliability of the equipment and fire safety.
Do-it-yourself imitation of fire in the fireplace
Do-it-yourself imitation of fire in the fireplace Many people like to look at the fire. At the same time, not every person can afford to have a real fireplace with a real flame in the hearth in the house. But today,
Simulation of fire can be achieved by placing candles in the fireplace niche. Many do so, 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 fire with your own hands, an electric fireplace or a bio fireplace is also suitable. They are placed inside on a shelf and connected to the network.
Steam generator
More complex designs are also more realistic. A system using water vapor gives a good effect. It consists of the following components:
Fog machines are housed 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 a flame effect.
Electric motor
Models using an electric motor are also popular. A small motor rotates a drum or other figured detail through which light from an LED lamp passes, due to which the effect of a burning fire is achieved. Glare and shadows fall on the dummy 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 slightly improved by adding illumination of internal walls and a translucent screen, as well as a device that will simulate 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
Separately, it is worth noting the designs based on the use of TVs. To be more precise, it is placed inside the fireplace liquid crystal screenthat 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
A fire in a fireplace can be created very realistically using holography... For this, a flat image is used, which takes on three dimensions with the help of special technologies. If you add an optical system and LED lamps, 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 real depth of the fireplace.
LED technology
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 the ultrasonic steam generator for the fireplace. The steam emanating from it is illuminated by halogen lamps. Special filters are used to give the desired color. At the same time, the steam below glows brighter and resembles a real fire. Above, the light is dimmer, which creates a smokiness effect. Making an ultrasonic steam generator with your own hands will not be difficult for you.
Pepper's ghost
In other technologies, a trick called Pepper's ghost comes to the rescue and is used by theater directors and magicians. For example, used mirrorsinstalled in a niche at different angles. Thus, it turns out to combine individual objects into one volumetric picture. The Opti-Virtual series allows a virtual image of fire with sparks to be combined with a dummy log. Using this technology, you can achieve extraordinary realism. The outbreak looks very natural.
Silk fabric
Many people like to look at fire. At the same time, not every person can afford to have a real fireplace with a real flame in the hearth in the house. 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 you can create an imitation of a real fire in a fake fireplace. This article will show you how to do it yourself in various ways.
A decorative fireplace made of plasterboard requires compliance with fire safety standards, since this design is not designed for a real fire. In addition, there is no possibility of assembling a real fireplace in the apartment.
But a fireplace, even if it is decorative, requires an imitation of real fire. You can do it yourself in several ways. The following imitation is most often used in this situation:
- ferry;
- the creation of "theatrical fire";
- use of salt lamps;
- imitation of fire using a Christmas tree garland;
- installation in the hearth of a TV;
- use of candles.
Let's take a closer look at each of these options.
Steam instead of fire
Steam simulation
The most difficult way to simulate fire in a decorative fireplace with your own hands is this method. Not every person can make such an imitation, since a specific set of components and equipment, as well as the skills of an electrician, are required here.
To create this kind of fire, you 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 kind of end result you want to get.
All these components are included in equipment for steam electric fireplaces, as well as concert devices to create 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 for the necessary equipment parameters and mount a hearth of the required size.
The principle of operation of this installation is as follows:
- on the bottom of the container into which water will be poured, put the assembled fog generator;
- this generator is equipped with a diaphragm that vibrates at a specific ultrasonic frequency, thus creating a reduced pressure. The result is practically a vacuum;
- due to this, water evaporates at room temperature;
- then cold steam, with the help of a fan, rises the top;
- at the top, it is illuminated by the installed LED - lamp;
- we put a diaphragm over this whole structure;
Note! Bernoulli's law works near the diaphragm. According to it, the speed of air movement near the hole increases the more the smaller the hole diameter is. Therefore, the simulated flame becomes more realistic. You can try different apertures to get the best possible simulation result.
The assembly of such equipment can be carried out according to this scheme.
Scheme
Correct assembly of components will allow you to make the most realistic imitation of fire with your own hands in a decorative fireplace.
"Theater" option
As the name suggests, this imitation is most commonly 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. You need 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 the assembly of the false fire according to the following scheme:
- we install a fan on the bottom of the box / bowl;
- we bring the cord out of it;
- then we attach halogen lamps above it in one axis. They must give light upward;
- then, at a distance of 2 cm above the halogen lamps, we install light filters;
Note! We attach the filters as follows: in the middle, blue, and along the edges, orange and red. Placing filters in this way will give the imitation more brightness and relief.
Installation of light filters
- cut pieces of fabric of different sizes from the prepared shred. Triangles are considered the best shape. They will make the flame more realistic;
- attach the pieces of fabric to the drawer / 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 artificial flames is considered the most beneficial and effective method.
Salt lamp
The salt lamp is a special lamp, the shade of which is made of untreated salt crystal. There is a standard light bulb inside this shade. When the lamp is connected, the cover heats up and begins to emit negative ions into the air. They bind positive ions (emanating 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 include 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 different sizes at once, you can create an imitation of a fire.
Christmas garlands
Preparing branches
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, any person can cope with it, and in terms of cost it will cost very cheaply.
To make the flame look like a real flame, you will need the following materials:
- branches of trees 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 having a colored background in red, orange or yellow. The best solution would be to use a twinkling garland.
The assembly of the simulation structure is as follows:
- we wrap branches with foil without gaps;
- we coat the lace with glue and attach it to the branches. Next, we wait until they are completely dry;
Note! It will take about a day to dry completely.
- then you should carefully cut the lace case and get the blanks out of them;
- after that, in the hearth of stones, lay the stones in a circle;
- put a garland in the middle of the resulting circle, and bring the cord with a plug out;
- we put the resulting "lace" firewood in the manner of a fire.
Stages of bonfire formation
Plug in the garland and enjoy simulating fire!
As you can see, this method is very easy to implement and will cost you much less money than all other methods.
TV as a fireplace
TV in the fireplace
Another of the simplest methods of implementing artificial fire in a fireplace is to use a flat-panel LCD TV. But this method will be very costly, since this technique is not cheap.
There are special televisions designed for use in decorative fireplaces. They have a recording with fire, which is played in the hearth of the fireplace.
Sometimes the 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.
Besides this optical system, a mirror system can be used. They are located at the corners of the hearth, 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 simplest, 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, the candles will smoke, which makes this method less popular than all of the above.
This method is considered one of the design solutions to give the room romance and fabulousness. In this situation, candles can be placed either individually around the perimeter of the hearth, or installed on a low chandelier.
As you can see, imitation of a flame in a decorative fireplace with your own hands is possible in a variety of ways. You just have to choose the most suitable option for yourself, implement it correctly (if it is difficult to execute) and enjoy the decorative fireplace even in the apartment.
