How to decorate a fireplace. Fireplace cladding: material selection and design examples

20.02.2017
3015
Pechnik (Moscow)

Finishing fireplaces allows you to use almost all known materials and coatings, to realize any idea and idea. In order to get a high-quality result, we suggest you read the instructions, tips and photos located in this article.

Ceramic tile finishing

Fireplaces and stoves can be decorated with ceramic tiles. We will need the following tools and materials:

  • Construction level and plumb line;
  • Ceramic tiles of one thickness;
  • Clay mortar;
  • Putty knife:
  • Bulgarian;
  • Crosses and pencil;
  • Mesh and adhesive solution.

Finishing instructions:

  1. We prepare the surface and clean it well, eliminating the weight of unevenness and roughness;
  2. Prepare the clay solution;
  3. Apply the clay mixture evenly to the entire surface of the frame;
  4. Laying it down construction mesh, which is necessary to create good adhesion of the tile to the surface;
  5. We lay out the tiles and visually assemble a picture or pattern;
  6. Thicker tiles should be attached from below;
  7. Prepare the adhesive solution;
  8. We start laying with bottom corner;
  9. Apply glue to each element of the product, fix it on the surface and press firmly for several minutes;
  10. In the necessary places we cut the tiles with a grinder;
  11. Remove excess solution with a spatula after partial drying;
  12. After complete drying, we joint the seams;
  13. To add extra shine, you can use various means, which are based on wax.

This option is most often used for finishing decorative installations or structures made from the same material. In order to complete the finishing, we will need:

  • Drywall;
  • Self-tapping screws;
  • Corners and fasteners;
  • Construction level and marker;
  • Metal profiles.

Finishing materials for fireplaces allow you to realize any idea and do it yourself.

Do-it-yourself finishing of the fireplace insert and plasterboard portal:

  1. Pre-prepared metal carcass we cover it with sheets of plasterboard, taking all the necessary measurements and cutting out the parts by hand;
  2. We fix each sheet with self-tapping screws and check all corners with a building level;
  3. If desired, you can make such additional decorative elements as columns, shelves, table tops from plasterboard. To do this, it is necessary to first make a metal frame and cover it with appropriate plasterboard;
  4. Rear walls covered with special heat-reflecting materials.

Important: when making a three-dimensional structure, the cladding must be done in several layers.

On last stage it is necessary to seal all the seams well with a special solution, and then apply it in the same way to the entire surface in several layers.

Artificial and natural stone

Finishing a fireplace insert with artificial or natural stone is a rather complex and painstaking process, for which we will need following materials and tools:

  • The preparatory stage is carried out according to a scheme similar to finishing with tiles;
  • The stone is laid out on the floor and selected according to thickness, size and pattern;
  • Mastic or tile adhesive is used for fastening;
  • Each element must fit tightly to the surface;
  • After drying, the seams are processed, rubbed and filled with colored solution.

Brick in decoration

For those who do not know how to decorate a wood-burning fireplace, we offer one of the simplest solutions - brick.

If your fireplace already has standard brickwork, as an additional decoration, you can use special paint and varnish solutions, which not only make the appearance of the installation well-groomed and stylish, but also reliably protect the material itself from sudden temperature changes and significantly strengthen it, preventing all sorts of cracks may form.

Brick joints can be additionally filled with mortar of any color.

Paint and varnish coatings

Finishing fireplace inserts with special fireproof paint is one of the simplest options.

Necessary materials:

  • Dye;
  • Brush;
  • Clay mortar;
  • Primer;
  • Putty knife.

Finishing:

  1. We prepare the surfaces and apply a layer of putty;
  2. After complete drying, we re-grind;
  3. Apply the clay composition in two layers, so that the previous one is partially dry;
  4. We prime the surface and let it dry completely during the day;
  5. Using a brush, apply paint in two to four layers.

Additionally, after painting, you can apply a special varnish coating in order to achieve maximum smoothness and visually ideal structure.

Using wood

Natural wood can be used as a facing material. In order for it to retain its original appearance for a long time, it is necessary to impregnate it with a special antiseptic.

Wooden elements are also fixed to the surface, after which they are coated with various varnishes and other coatings to give the surface a well-groomed appearance and smoothness.

The finishing of fireplaces should be carried out in such a way that the design of the portal and firebox should be in complete harmony with common interior living room or any other room.

Choose your individual interior heating stove indoors and deciding what to cover the outside of the fireplace so that it pleases the eye is a very responsible matter. When designing fireplaces, they can be covered with a wide variety of materials.
Depending on the material of the fireplace, it can be faced with either brick or tile. In addition, today a fireplace designed in a high-tech style using chrome-plated metal elements, silver-plated or even gold-plated, looks very elegant in the house.

Hi-Tech style fireplace in the interior of the house

The most practical, durable and attractive fireplace cladding is considered to be lining it with stone (natural or artificial) in combination with tiles. Of course, facing the fireplace with marble or granite will undoubtedly outperform brick or tile. However, this material of the highest quality, which is considered an excellent option for finishing a functional stove in the house, is not something every family can afford due to its high cost.

What to pay attention to

The main difference between a fireplace and a traditional brick stove is the relatively low heating of the surfaces. The heat from the fire goes directly into the room, and external cladding The fireplace is needed to limit, and not as a conductor of heat. The requirements for the material that can be used to line a cast iron or metal fireplace are much lower.

So, recommended available options or materials that can be used to line a fireplace in a house are:

Tiles, clinker bricks, stone of natural and artificial origin, tiles, as well as wood. Although these materials change in volume under the influence of heat, normal conditions this feature is insignificant. The main attention in the question of how to cover a fireplace-stove should be paid to matching the interior of the room, and not to practicality.

Tiles bring their own unique flavor to the living room or office. When faced with this decorative material When laying the fireplace walls, it is necessary to provide wire for fastening the tiles in the seams between the rows.

Plastic panels with imitation of any finishing material, wooden slabs or plaster bas-relief, as well as a false fireplace.

Requirements for the material of a functioning fireplace

When deciding what to cover a fireplace in the house with, it is worth considering options that correspond not only to aesthetic qualities, but also to technical characteristics.

For high-quality and reliable cladding of a fireplace-stove in a residential building, it is advisable to use only special samples that must meet the following requirements:

  1. Increased strength characteristics, resistance to mechanical damage.
  2. Heat resistance and low performance water absorption.
  3. Heat transfer with simultaneous accumulation and retention of heat.
  4. Have a low porosity structure.
Constant exposure to heat and danger mechanical damage make the choice of facing material especially important stage when decorating a fireplace-stove in the house.

The most common materials for finishing a fireplace stove are:

  • Unglazed tiles or terracotta with a characteristic red-brown color.
  • Porcelain tiles are a resistant product sudden changes temperatures, it is not afraid of blows and other types of scratches.
  • Clinker tiles are heavy-duty, heat-resistant and antistatic.
  • Tiles provide quick and uniform heating of the room, thanks to the air cushion they reliably retain heat for quite a long time.

Cast iron fireplace surround

In addition to traditional fireplaces made of brick and having an open combustion chamber, today's modern houses A cast iron product with a closed hearth is popular. A cast iron fireplace similarly highlights a large number of heat during fuel combustion, but after the combustion product is completely burned, such a stove cools down very quickly. This problem can be solved with high-quality and reliable cladding.

The optimal material to cover cast iron fireplace with your own hands, is a heat-resistant fireclay brick. Such a design can easily be equipped as a full-fledged stove for heating a room.

You can cover a cast iron fireplace with your own hands as follows:

  • You will need to make to order or design the desired design of the stove-fireplace yourself, taking into account all the existing nuances of the room.
  • Buy required amount building material and tools.
  • Provide a distance (small gap) from the firebox to brickwork during cladding between brick and metal. On the sides, this distance should be at least 5-10 cm, and behind the fireplace, laying should begin no closer than 10-15 cm. Such a layer will preserve heat and reduce heat loss.
Otherwise, the composition of the mortar, the bricklaying process and the technology for constructing the furnace are similar to the traditional installation of such a structure.

Cover a cast iron fireplace with bricks- a successful solution to the problem of maintaining heat in the room, however, if there are no objections to the appearance of the brick fireplace and restrictions regarding the weight of the structure used, then everything is fine. Otherwise, when using additional materials for finishing (marble, granite slabs or natural stone), the heat transfer coefficient will be minimized, which will make the fireplace stove only decorative element in the house.

Watch the video of how do-it-yourself experts use everything necessary materials for installing an English fireplace with a cast iron insert in classic style with prefabricated chimney. Apparently the portal is made of artificial material false fireplace.

The main purpose of the fireplace can be considered to maintain air temperature for comfortable stay. But in some cases it is an integral part of the interior of the room. It means that general form and the style of the room are determined by the shape and cladding of the portal, and special attention should be paid to its design. Decorating a fireplace with your own hands is not only possible experienced craftsmen, but also for those who have minimal knowledge and skills in the construction industry. To make the hearth look attractive externally, you can use both natural and artificial materials for finishing.

DIY fireplace decoration

Tiling

Tiles are widely used in the design of fireplaces. This is explained by the fact that the material has high thermal conductivity. For work, they most often use porcelain stoneware, glazed ceramic tiles or gypsum volumetric tiles that imitate natural materials.

Tiling

The facing tiles used to decorate the fireplace have a number of differences:

  • high temperature stability,
  • ease of use and care,
  • variety of colors,
  • possibility of creating different styles registration

Fireplace decoration ceramic tiles takes place in several stages:

  1. Preparing tools. To carry out high-quality finishing, you must have the appropriate tools: building level, pencil, spatulas, sponges, rubber hammer.
  2. Preparation of the surface intended for finishing. It is necessary to clean the surface from various contaminants and treat it with a primer. In some cases it is recommended to install metal mesh. This will prevent staining of the brick from which the fireplace is laid.
  3. Customization of material. Before laying, the tiles are laid out on the floor, assembling the future composition, and adjusting the dimensions of the tiles.
  4. Preparation adhesive solution. Laying is carried out using heat-resistant glue, the preparation of which is carried out according to the instructions.
  5. Laying tiles. Work begins from below the firebox. Glue is applied to the surface of the hearth, then the tile is applied and pressed to the base. It is compacted by lightly tapping with a rubber hammer. Protrusions and corners are finished with special elements.
  6. Material processing. For guard finished surface To remove soot and dirt, use a heat-resistant varnish that covers the entire finished surface.

Related article: Railings for the kitchen - their classification and installation rules

Decoration with ceramic tiles

Stone fireplace decoration

Stone is more often used for wall decoration, but can be used in the design of fireplaces. It not only gives a solid appearance to the hearth, but also retains heat. From others finishing materials The stone is characterized by increased strength and the fact that when laying it does not require leaving even seams. But the heaviness of the material and high cost are its main disadvantages. Stone laying is carried out using the same technology as tiles.

Decorating the hearth with natural and artificial stone

Fireplaces are decorated using the following materials:

  • Shell rock. This is one of the cheap minerals that has a decent appearance. Its disadvantage is its porous structure, which becomes clogged with soot within a short time, which leads to a decrease in attractiveness.
  • Granite. Raw and processed material is used. Both types look great on a mantelpiece. Ease of care is the main advantage of the material. It is not afraid of scratches, so various detergents can be used during operation.
  • Marble. The material that is most often used to decorate fireplaces. Natural beauty, affordable price and the variety of types of marble is only part of the advantages that are inherent in the material.

Plastering a fireplace

Facing a hearth by plastering can be considered a quick and inexpensive option finishing. After all, the cost of the material is affordable for everyone, and the work process does not require special knowledge and skills. In addition, plastering does not burden the main masonry of the fireplace, therefore, there is no need to strengthen the base. It’s also easy for short term is changing color design, a new fireplace style is created.
The main condition for quality finishing is the correct choice of plaster. It must be heat-resistant with the addition of special fibers. These conditions are met by adding clay, lime, hemp or straw to a regular solution. The decorative effect of a plastered portal is achieved by painting with compounds that are resistant to sudden changes in temperature: from strong heating to the final cooling of the fireplace.

A fireplace is a popular element for home decoration, and it can be created from different materials.

In addition to the actual creation of the structure, its cladding must be carried out, designed to decorate the fireplace. It can be made using different materials. Such work can be done with your own hands.

What is the cladding done?


What to cover the fireplace with? There is a lot for this various materials, which include:

  • , which can be created from different components, and it is suitable for both fireplaces and stoves.
  • Brick, by using which fireplace surround will be durable, reliable and beautiful. This facing material has a reasonable price, but it is important to choose.
  • Tile decoration is considered excellent choice, and this material is a tile with a pattern applied to its surface in a unique and specific way.
  • Decorating a fireplace with porcelain stoneware is interesting choice, which will allow you to get the design distinguished by beauty and attractiveness.
  • Finishing is also common, and it is considered a good option for decorating a fireplace with your own hands.
  • Cladding a fireplace with marble is considered the most optimal choice, because the result is an unrivaled design. Corner structures, a standard stove and other types of fireplace can be designed in the same way.

Cladding with marble

Cladding a fireplace using marble is considered traditional solution for decorating stoves. Do-it-yourself work will provide an unrivaled design of the structure, so it will fit perfectly into any interior.

Even corner and wall-mounted fireplaces can be decorated with this material. Facing marble is a natural rock that can easily withstand constant exposure to high temperatures. Since marble can come in different colors, the stove can also be decorated in different colors and textures.

For laying marble a suitable mixture must be used, and all work can be easily done with your own hands. However, it may be difficult to cut marble.

Read also: Brick kilns for a small dacha

Using tiles for cladding

Modern facing tiles come in a large number of varieties. All materials have their pros and cons. The tiles can be porcelain stoneware or ceramic, as well as any other.

Decorating a fireplace with granite or tiles is not a difficult job, but only if making the right choice material can be obtained unique design. You can tile the stove yourself. It is important to choose the right adhesive mixture, select optimal design tiles, as well as choose other materials to work with to get a bright and unique stove. Do-it-yourself finishing with porcelain stoneware or other tiles should be done in such a way that you get perfect and beautiful seams.

The whole thing does not take much time, but it may be difficult to cut it.

Gypsum decor for fireplace cladding

Finishing with gypsum mixture is original choice for fireplaces and stoves. This is due to many positive properties:

  • opportunity to create unique design;
  • efficiency;
  • opportunity make the mixture yourself;
  • the rage and uniqueness of the result of work performed using gypsum mixture;
  • availability and simplicity of materials used for work;
  • safety, since the mixture contains there are no harmful components;
  • durability, since the elements are resistant to high temperatures and other negative factors.

Cladding stoves and fireplaces with gypsum mixture is excellent choice for any interior. The use of gypsum mixture does not always imply a white cladding, since it can be painted in different shades.

Application for tile cladding

Tile cladding is very popular. These elements are formed from baked clay, so they may have different shapes and sizes that fit perfectly for specific stoves or fireplaces. Decorations with tiles are distinguished by their originality and brightness, originality and uniqueness, and this facing material can have a design that exactly meets the wishes of the owners ovens.

Read also: Air heated fireplace


Even unusual corner fireplaces can be decorated with tiles in a beautiful and original way, without unnecessary gaps or any problems. Used for laying material glue mixture, ideal for working at high temperatures. Tile cladding allows you to choose a tile that will fit perfectly with the interior of the room.

Cutting materials is not so easy, so it is best to choose for this suitable tools , which primarily includes tile cutters. Corner fireplaces and stoves can be easily covered with tiles, and amazing results are obtained. However, work with tiles must be done correctly and according to oven sizes.

Brick is a good choice for stoves and fireplaces to create a beautiful finish. The use of brick allows you to get traditional designs, which will be strong and durable.

Brick is a reliable and attractive material. Because the oven when using heats up, you need to choose only heat-resistant bricks.

It is not advisable to decorate corner fireplaces with this material. The fact is that from one brick you can get several separate elements getting the right size is not so easy. Therefore, brick is usually used as cladding for standard structures.

Fireplace cladding process

It is important not only to choose the right material, but also to know how to veneer a fireplace. An example is porcelain stoneware cladding. She implemented in several stages:

  • Preparation of the surface of the fireplace or stove on which the finishing material will be applied (consists of cleaning it from dirt and applying a special degreasing solution).
  • A mixture is created that is necessary for cladding the structure with granite, and it must have high quality and other suitable parameters for use near hot surfaces and open fire.
  • Carrying out calculations on the basis of which it will be clear how much material will be needed, where individual elements will be located, and also answers to other questions regarding the cladding process.
  • Direct cladding with granite, which should happen according to plan, and the mixture for work should be applied in the optimal amount.
  • Removing the solution from the cladding surface and checking correct execution of the entire process.

This question interests home craftsmen who decide to lay a stove or fireplace. It is also very relevant for everyone who has stove heating. Finishing the hearth with simple plaster is not highly aesthetic and after ten years of use requires replacement.

Of course, cracks and peeling of the finishing layer can be repaired. However, after such a procedure the stove does not look in the best possible way and after a short time it begins to crack again.

We will tell you how to cover a stove or fireplace so that it looks great, gives off heat well and does not require repairs for a long time.

Selecting materials for cladding a stove or fireplace

There is no fundamental difference in the finishing of these heating structures. Everything used to line a stove is suitable for a fireplace. But the requirements for finishing materials in both cases are quite specific:

  • High thermal resistance;
  • Good thermal conductivity (thermal output);
  • Mechanical strength;
  • Strong adhesion to the solution;
  • Aesthetic appearance.

Invent the new kind you won't need any cladding. The practice of stove making offers many options for performing this work and materials for its implementation.

Professional craftsmen use the following materials for finishing stoves and fireplaces:

  • Brick;
  • Ceramic tiles (terracotta or majolica);
  • Tiles;
  • Natural stone (marble, basalt, sandstone, slate, granite).

IN last years they were joined by artificial stone and soapstone.

Brick cladding

If you're happy with the aesthetics ceramic bricks, then use this material for cladding. The most difficult question is that protecting the heated surface from cracks does not arise in this case. The brick cladding stands on a common stove foundation and does not require the use of reinforcing mesh.

Finishing the stove in the house using facing bricks can be done simultaneously with the masonry. This material is also good for improving appearance. existing structure. Contrasting colors and shaped details pleasantly transform the appearance of an ordinary stove.

The beauty of a brick fireplace lining is not inferior to expensive marble or granite.


Brick finishing is also good for metal stoves. Here between the steel body and brick cladding use ballast backfill made of dry fine sand. It protects the masonry from the deforming expansion of hot metal and transfers thermal energy well.

Ceramic tiles - an option for soft heating

Glazed ceramic tiles are a very popular and inexpensive way cladding of stoves and fireplaces. The only limitation for this material is the heating temperature of the surface. The tiles do not have powerful hooks or locking joints to resist temperature deformation. Therefore, do not place it on ovens that get very hot during operation. It is optimally suited for fireplaces (low facade heating).

Ceramic clinker tiles are an excellent “simulator”. With its help, you can “create” any type of finish: brick, tiles, wood, granite or marble.

For those who are looking for original and inexpensive solution for facing a fireplace or stove, we recommend trying a combination decorative brick and ceramic tiles.

The combination of smooth and rough textures, dark and light tones will give the hearth a pleasant charm and charm.

Tiles - the experience of centuries

Stove masters spent a long time looking for a way to protect the finish from temperature deformation, until they came up with tiles. In essence, these are ordinary clay tiles, but with a special “volumetric configuration”. On the back side of the tiles there are special projections - rumps. They serve to connect the tiles to each other and connect them to the masonry mass.

The laying of tiles is carried out simultaneously with the construction of a stove or fireplace, row by row. This creates a strong self-supporting wall. It is connected to the main masonry by wire “tendrils” placed in the seams between the bricks.

The tiles are connected to each other using steel hook brackets. They are connected to the brick wall of the oven not only by wire, but also by mortar placed in the tillers and in the space between the tiles.

The technology of tile cladding differs from conventional stove finishing. First, they place a row of tiles, fasten them together and fill the pumps with clay mortar. Only after this the brick wall of the furnace is placed close to them.

Richness of decor and color range The range of stove tiles is amazing. Therefore, finishing with this material is often equated to high art.

Natural and artificial stone

Natural stone meets all the requirements for finishing stoves and fireplaces. He endures high temperature, has a dense fine-grained structure and therefore transfers heat well. This material is extremely durable and environmentally friendly.


Beautiful texture and natural colors are undoubted advantages stone tiles. The only problem natural material- high price. Home craftsmen today have an economical alternative in the form artificial stone. It is technologically advanced in finishing and is not inferior to natural material in terms of heat resistance, strength, beauty and environmental friendliness.

The production of artificial stone does not involve labor-intensive cutting, grinding and polishing. Modern technologies pressing and firing clay allows you to obtain complex curly elements, not inferior in appearance expensive products made of natural stone.

Thanks to the creation of heat-resistant mastics, finishing a fireplace with stone has become easier and does not require the use of embedded parts. Therefore, it is being actively mastered by home craftsmen who want to compete on equal terms with eminent masters.

Soapstone chlorite sounds nice, but is it profitable?

A well-organized marketing campaign works wonders. Therefore, today there are rave reviews about soapstone chlorite everywhere. It is a common volcanic rock, heavy, strong and heat resistant. No one can clearly answer why it is better than basalt, granite or sandstone. But in cost it is not inferior to elite marble delivered from Italy (from 7,000 rubles per 1 m2).

So far, soapstone has taken root only in baths and saunas, where heaters are lined with it. You can use it to decorate the fireplace and stove, but there are also more economical options.

The color range of this stone is quite poor. It is dominated by pale gray and greenish shades.

Wood is not only heating fuel, but also a beautiful finish

Wood has never been excluded from the category of finishing materials for fireplaces. This material conducts heat poorly, so it should be used sparingly and wisely, using it as an accent to façade decor.

IN heating stove Wood also has its own corner. Here it can be used to decorate shelves, decorate corners, beds and benches.

DIY stove and fireplace cladding

We will consider a simple option - covering the existing stove with ceramic tiles.

The finishing process here consists of the following operations:

  1. Surface preparation;
  2. Installation of steel mesh;
  3. Plastering the mesh;
  4. Tile finishing.

High-quality tiling of the stove will not work if the surface is not freed from old plaster and dust. The seams between the bricks must be cleared of mortar to a depth of 5 to 10 mm (for better adhesion to the mortar or glue).

Now the entire surface of the oven, where the tiles will stand, needs to be covered with a fine steel mesh (cells 15x15 mm). To fasten it, dowels with washers are used. They are driven not into the joints of the masonry, but into holes drilled in the brick. Dowels are placed more often in the area of ​​the firebox, since the greatest temperature deformations occur there. After installing the dowels, the mesh is pulled over them.

Do-it-yourself oven cladding begins with the first bottom row. Here the tiles are fixed using heat-resistant mastic or heat-resistant glue strictly according to the level. To apply the adhesive, use a standard notched plaster trowel.

Pressing the tile against the masonry, it is leveled horizontally and vertically, achieving uniform distribution of the mortar. If the tile is thick enough, then use a hammer with a rubber striker to push it down. For thin cladding, the best installation tool is your hands. To obtain an even seam, plastic crosses are used. The correct installation of each row is controlled by a level and plumb line.

After finishing the cladding, take a break for 2-3 days so that the glue gains brand strength. After this, they begin to grout the joints using a dry cement-polymer mixture and a rubber spatula.