Content
- It is necessary to attach a beam to the size of the future portal on the wall. He will be the frame.
A beam attached to the wall with self-tapping screws, which is the basis of the structure
- Cut the parquet board to the required size and cover the ends with different shades of stain. The manufacture of a portal for an electric fireplace with your own hands is completed.
Parquet board, cut to the size of the future electric fireplace with ends painted in contrasting colors
- The board should be glued to the frame fixed to the wall and a support should be placed until the glue dries for a secure fixation.
Parquet boards glued to the frame. This kind of support is necessary for better fixation.
- After drying, you can put decorations upstairs: figurines, candles, vases with flowers and others, and install a hearth in the portal. The manufacture of a portal for an electric fireplace with your own hands is completed.
A ready-made version of a fireplace portal from a parquet board. Instead of installed candles, an electric hearth is placed.
Do-it-yourself portals for electric fireplaces made of stone or wood
The manufacture of these types of fireplace portals requires certain knowledge.
Electric fireplaces with a portal made of stone are rather bulky structures and require calculating the exact load on the floor. To create such portals, stove masonry is used. You can choose a brick at your discretion, the design of the fireplace also depends on preferences. Wooden portals for electric fireplaces will add luxury and grace to the interior.
Wooden portals for electric fireplaces look expensive and add elegance to the interior
Portals for electric fireplaces made of wood can only be made by professionals. For their manufacture, specialized tools and materials are also required. For wooden portals, only dry planks of the same type of wood should be selected. They should be glued together with synthetic glue, which is based on water. The portal should be carefully varnished.
Video: instructions on how to make a portal for an electric or decorative fireplace yourself
To save money, you can make a portal for an electric fireplace with your own hands. Some of them are easy to manufacture and do not require specialized knowledge and costs. When designing, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the dimensions of an electric fireplace without a portal are much smaller, therefore, frames are rarely created in small-sized apartments, and the installation of the hearth is carried out into furniture or into a wall. Information on how to make a portal for an electric fireplace yourself is contained in the instructions.
Portal decor for electric fireplace
The decorative design of the portal of the electric fireplace can be anything. However, it should be remembered that in no case should he violate the integrity of the composition of the room, but only slightly shift the emphasis to the side. A good solution for decorating an object is the laying of ceramic tiles, which immediately makes it elegant and natural. Moreover, it is quite simple to install the material on a flat plasterboard base.
In addition, you can cover the building with structural plaster, wallpaper or paint, as long as it is combined with other coatings and objects located in the room.
To achieve the desired effect, the decoration of the finished object is carried out based on the stylistic orientation of the entire room and only in accordance with it. This is the only way to be sure of obtaining a positive result, which will not only laconically fit into the design of the room, but also significantly embellish it.
At the end of the article, check out the video: Modern electric fireplaces in the interior.Perhaps after that you will like the electric fireplace even more.
Important tips before starting work
In order for the finished structure to fit well into the interior of the room, study the following recommendations and follow them in the process of doing the work.
Combination of styles
Do-it-yourself fireplace portal
The fireplace should go well with the style of the portal. The hearth is best placed at the level of the floor line. In case you want to place the hearth higher, choose a wide model. A wide fireplace will look good when installed at any distance from the floor.
Do not hide the frame of the fireplace behind the portal
Fireplace portal
The main function of the portal is to emphasize the design of the fireplace. It is recommended to place the framing of the hearth flush with the surface of the fireplace portal.
If you are planning on creating a completely unique design and do not want to take into account the design of the fireplace, purchase a special option known as a fireplace insert. Such models do not have their own design, so the design of the finished structure will depend solely on the preferences of the owner.
The ratio of the proportions of structural elements
Decorative fireplace looks like a real one
Find the best size for your fireplace. For example, a floor model needs some free space in front of it. If there is a shortage of space, choose a beautiful wall model of the hearth. Such a fireplace does not require free space in front of itself and fits perfectly into any interior.
It is important that the dimensions of the fireplace correspond well to the dimensions of the portal. Traditionally, the dimensions of the structures are selected so that the fireplace occupies about 75% of the height and about 50% of the width of the decorative portal. In the case of using wide models of fireplaces, they can take up more space
In the case of using wide models of fireplaces, they can take up more space.
Buy a fireplace before building a portal
False fireplace in a city apartment
As a rule, the main dimensions of the hearths are given in catalogs or are reported by the manufacturer. That is, you can look at the model of the fireplace that suits you, make a portal, buy the model of the hearth you like and install it in a ready-made decorative frame. But it’s better not to do that.
Even knowing the exact dimensions of the fireplace, you can forget about some important points, for example, such as the placement of the cord for connecting to the mains, the presence of protruding fasteners, holes for air exchange, etc.
In order not to waste time on changing the design of the finished portal in the future, start equipping it only after you buy a fireplace and deliver it home. In such a situation, you will be able to "adjust" the dimensions of the decorative structure in accordance with the dimensions of the fireplace directly during operation. This will allow you to fully coordinate the configuration and dimensions of structural elements, eliminating the risk of blocking access to the necessary elements.
How to make a portal for a fireplace with your own hands
Choosing a fireplace portal is a rather difficult task. After all, a fireplace has long been not just a heating device, but a "highlight" of the house, the main element of the interior, a place where you want to relax, listening to the pleasant crackling of logs.
Sitting evenings through Google and Yandex, the future happy owner of a fireplace finds thousands of fireplace portals on the Internet, similar to each other like two drops of water.
In addition, sky-high prices for the most interesting models of fireplace portals are comparable only to the prices for the construction of a small country house.
Advice
A fair question arises - is it possible to build a fireplace portal yourself? Yes, and the original one, matching the definition of "classic fireplace", always with marble details.At the same time, according to the budget, it will be several times cheaper than any serial portal.
We use a standard, cast iron, rather powerful, Norwegian fireplace insert. Although you can easily build an open firebox from refractory bricks.
Do not forget that the total weight of the fireplace will eventually reach about 350 kg, therefore, a foundation is needed. We put the firebox on a structure made of foamed concrete with a thickness of 150 mm. Cut out half-collons from the same material (as in the photo).
The foam block is perfectly cut with an ordinary hacksaw, well processed with an ax and sandpaper. We glue all this with the help of any heat-resistant tile glue, having previously treated all parts with a primer. A 50 mm thick concrete lintel is placed over the firebox.
Insert a pipe made of refractory steel with a diameter of 200 mm into the furnace adapter and connect it to the chimney using a bend. All joints are carefully treated with a refractory sealant. After one day, all connections should be additionally wrapped in refractory aluminum tape.
From the same block with a thickness of 50 mm, we construct a three-tiered mantelpiece, which, after processing with sandpaper, should look like in the photo. Then all surfaces of the blocks are primed again.
After waiting for the primer to dry, apply a layer of starting putty, glue the reinforcing fiberglass mesh and cover with finishing putty. When the topcoat is dry, you need to polish it with fine-grained emery paper.
note
Our fireplace portal is almost ready, it remains to add marble details. The project includes the following marble parts: a 30 mm thick lower mantelpiece and three strips 50 mm wide and 20 mm thick - on the sides of the firebox and above the firebox.
To get these parts, you need to cut them out of thick cardboard, take them to the nearest company that sells marble, and place an order. You can do this yourself, but for cutting and polishing marble, and even more so for cutting curly chamfers, you need rather expensive equipment, so this stage can be delegated to specialists.
Although we are talking about portals, I want to deviate from the topic and pay a little attention to the structure of the box. Some of the heat from our firebox will radiate directly through the facade, but most of the heat through the top of the firebox.
To "bring" this warmth back into the room, we make a box. The frame of the box is constructed of double profiles of the UD type, inside which mineral wool shielded with foil is inserted. We make holes on both sides of the box, which we will later close with decorative grilles.
The holes at the bottom and top will provide constant air circulation inside the box and will transfer heat from the firebox and chimney into the room.
There is very little left - the decoration of the fireplace. We used decorative Venetian plaster to finish this fireplace.
It is a very high quality finishing material, ideally imitating polished marble, consisting of white marble flour and a mixture of synthetic resins.
Important
Venetian plaster should be applied with a special Venetian spatula, only then it is possible to achieve an absolute resemblance to marble. Glossy Venetian varieties are additionally coated with special wax and polished.
What style should this fireplace portal be? I don’t even know ... There is something classical in it (columns, symmetry), there is something of modernity (an oval shape of the box), but most importantly, there is individuality. This fireplace exists in a single copy. And I am sure that you will be able to create your own masterpiece, one and only.
Finishing and decorating methods
The creative process begins, the decoration of the plasterboard fireplace, in which all ideas and fantasies are realized. Consider several finishes:
- The most budgetary method is gluing drywall with wallpaper with a pattern of burnt and smoked bricks or natural stone;
- An artificial plasterboard fireplace with this decoration looks modern and original;
- Decorative plaster. There are many plaster options on the market with different compositions and different colors. It will require a curly roller, with which the plaster solution is applied;
- If the fireplace has a heating function, then it is better to cover it with fire-resistant tiles. It can withstand temperatures of 100 degrees and does not burst. Facing the fireplace with plasterboard tiles is done with the help of special crosses and a thermal mixture (the glue can withstand temperature changes, its structure is not destroyed);
- A decorative stone is suitable for a large fireplace in a large room. Anyone can make part of a room a decor of a castle with a fireplace. Designer works with stone are exhibited in the photo.
Tiles on drywall and stone are glued on a special refractory glue (somewhat reminiscent of cement mortar). During work, care should be taken so that no glue gets on the material. If this happens, it should be removed immediately, because after that it is impossible to do it.
Additional tips and tricks
In order for the construction of a drywall portal with your own hands not to lead to offensive disappointments, several important recommendations and useful tips should be taken into account:
- When creating a drawing, plan a slightly larger offset of the edge of the portal from the wall - this will create additional usable space. Subsequently, it will be possible to install a TV on the resulting surface, put frames with photographs or turn it into a bookshelf.
- When choosing a place to place an electric fireplace, consider the location of outlets in the house. It is desirable that the portal be located in the immediate vicinity of one of them. This avoids the need for extension cords.
- The absence of an electric heater is not yet a reason to deprive yourself of the pleasure of installing a fireplace in an apartment. You can use candles instead. In many ways, this option will be even more comfortable.
- Plan in advance how you can use the fireplace portal to decorate your room. Its decorative potential is inexhaustible: install candle holders, book holders and carnations for New Year's socks. It is a sin not to use such an opportunity.
- Before starting work, view the training photos and videos. A single photograph can sometimes replace many pages of text instructions.
A good example of what the work looks like before finishing and after work.
Fireplace plasterboard portal
Drywall portal
Drywall is perfect for fireplace portals with electric heating. With its help, you can simulate a variety of product options. First, determine the location of the portal (along the wall or in the corner) and take measurements under the electric fireplace. Then start making a frame for the fireplace podium and under the portal with the firebox. Reinforce the frame in the width and height of the structure using a post profile. Try on the electric fireplace to the opening from the profile, make sure that it is not narrow. Now get down to work with the electrical wiring, opposite the exhaust ducts on the inside of the portal, cut an opening for the cable to pass through. When you complete this work, feel free to sheathe the product with drywall, using self-tapping screws with a fine thread, no more than 2.5 cm long.After that, saturate the entire surface with a deep penetration primer and apply a decorative layer. A variety of materials can be used as decoration. Heat-resistant acrylic paint, artificial stone, tapestry, self-adhesive tape, and even stucco sculpting will do.
Option one. Plasterboard fireplace portal
Plasterboard construction is perhaps the cheapest and easiest option to carry out. But he has one significant drawback - this is that with the layout of the portal, you need to finish everything even when drawing up the floor plan. Later, you are unlikely to be able to make any adjustments or changes to this kind of system. In a word, think over and draw up a project in advance, fully agree on all sizes.
Corner portals from gypsum plasterboard look especially attractive. The manufacture of such structures is similar to any others made of this material.
Step # 1. First you need to draw up a diagram. In our case, it looks like the following.
Then you need to take gypsum plasterboard profiles, cut in accordance with the drawing and assemble the frame of the future portal from them. You can also focus on other dimensions or shapes - it largely depends on the specific situation.
Step # 2. Cut the drywall into pieces of the desired size, screw to the frame. But before fixing the material finally, you need to once again try on the hearth to the portal and - if such a need arises - make certain adjustments. At the end, sheathe the frame with plasterboard completely.
Step # 3. The next stage is plastering the resulting structure, which is recommended to be done with gypsum plaster. It is necessary to mix the working mixture in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. If you want, you can prepare a thicker plaster mix to simulate stucco, stone, etc.
Step # 4. Next, you need to cover the dried plaster with paint for facades or varnish. Thanks to this, the material will be additionally protected, and therefore will not crack.
There is another option - you can completely abandon plaster, as well as paint, and instead revet the product with another material suitable for this purpose.
It is really possible to make such a portal out of drywall. Now let's move on to the next option.
A little about accessories
The hearth, even if it is not real, requires an appropriate entourage. So, the surface of the floor in front of the portal for the electrical device can be finished with stone.
Fireplace grate, screen, firewood, poker, scoop - all these elements will perfectly complement the interior and create the appropriate atmosphere.
Usually the firebox, which stores the logs, is located near the fireplace. The electrical device does not operate on wood, so we do not need a large structure. Instead, you can use the portable version with a comfortable handle. If the room is spacious, it is recommended to install a stationary firewood. It can be forged and stamped. This, in turn, affects the price.
The screen is considered a worthy decoration of an open hearth. You can refuse from fire-resistant glass, since sparks will not fly from an electrical appliance, but a forged screen with curls and patterns will perfectly complement the design. An interesting option is a screen-screen made of brocade.
As a rule, a set for a fireplace consists of a poker, a whisk, a lance, tongs and an ash scoop. All these details are hung on the side panel of the portal or on a special rack. The latter option is more suitable for drywall construction. Such a set will favorably emphasize the style of the interior.
Choice of hearth
Before proceeding with the work related to the arrangement of the portal under the fireplace, it is necessary to purchase the hearth itself, that is, the inner part of the structure
To do this, we look closely at the models, paying attention to the style, size, and material.
When choosing a hearth, you need to focus on the future idea of a portal for a fireplace. If you take a neutral structure without a pronounced style design, this will allow you to independently choose any frame that fits perfectly into the interior of the room. If the hearth is sustained in a certain stylistic direction, then the portal for the electric fireplace should be made in the same solution
At the same time, it is important to take into account the interior of the room so that the fireplace fits organically into the surrounding environment, becoming part of a well-thought-out design
A source
A few words about the size. A large fireplace requires ample space.It is usually placed on the floor next to a wall, preferably long and free. This option will look great in a spacious room. It is easy to place a small hearth even in a small room: build it into the wall, fit it into a corner, make it a suspended structure.
Thus, buying a hearth before starting work will allow you to better navigate, seeing a sample in front of you, and at a certain stage will provide an opportunity to make a trial installation.
What materials to use
Drywall is the most popular building material from which all kinds of arches, shelves, fireplaces and other design delights are built. For work, you will need a screwdriver, jigsaw and a frame assembled from a metal profile (wooden bars are also an option).
If any kind of fire is planned, fire-resistant drywall is preferred. Ordinary varieties are suitable for a decorative fireplace.
The thickness of the sheets in straight sections is 12.5 mm. In the same place where it is necessary to bend the arch, thinner drywall is used.
Plasterboard electric fireplace portal
In some cases, wood is used. It can be only trim parts glued to the base, or a completely wooden product. For the base, you can use chipboard from old furniture. The structure is assembled on self-tapping screws and is completely transformed under the finishing materials.
Parquet portal
Portal from parquet board
A beautiful decorative frame for a fireplace can be made from scraps of parquet boards. Depending on your personal preferences and the characteristics of the interior of the room, the portal can be assembled from multi-colored scraps of the board, or you can paint the elements with wood stain or other suitable composition.
Fasten a timber frame to the wall.
Second step
We cut the parquet or floorboard to the desired size, cover the ends with stain in contrasting shades
Sequentially glue the pieces of parquet board to the frame. Additionally, all elements must be glued to each other. Press the trims to the frame with spacers. After the glue has dried (the required time is indicated in the instructions), remove the spacers.
We glue the painted board to the frame
Third step
Complete the finishing decoration of the portal at your discretion. For example, decorative candles go very well with a portal made of parquet boards.
Portal from parquet board
Manufacturing process
When all the nuances are taken into account, we go directly to work.
Having determined the place for the fireplace, it is necessary to make a detailed drawing of the future framing.
For those who do not have special skills in working with the selected building material, we advise you to start with the simplest form of the portal.
So, back to the drawing. Transfer all the dimensions obtained to it, calculate and purchase the necessary material.
The portal is not always fixed to the floor surface. Sometimes it is attached to the wall, so the frame can be assembled in any convenient place, and not where we plan to install it.
To assemble the structure, we perform the following steps:
- we begin to assemble the frame from the bottom - a rectangle or triangle;
- we attach vertical racks to this workpiece, performing their upper strapping;
- we install a portal for an electric fireplace in the selected place, fixing it to the corners to the plane of the wall;
- we carry out installation of sheet material on self-tapping screws;
- we lay the top shelf - the countertop; we fix it securely;
- we process joints and seams using putty;
- we start finishing the portal;
- the last step is to install our hearth inside.
We create a portal for fireplace with your own hands
choosing a place for a fireplace-specialized self-tapping screw for metal.
Drywall is cut into pieces of the desired size, then we connect them to the frame of the metal corner. Before proceeding with the implementation of decorative finishes, it is worth making sure that all corners and seams are carefully and carefully putty.
For the seams, you can use a special mesh, and for the corners, a metal corner prepared in advance will come down. When the putty is completely dry, the surface of the portal must be rinsed with a primer. After priming, we go over the surface with sandpaper so that there are no irregularities on the portal. Now you can start decorating.
The role of the fireplace in our life: the process of operating the device
Today, traditional bulky fireplaces, consisting of a firebox and a chimney, have already become a thing of the past, and their construction is extremely rare and requires significant costs. And not all premises are suitable for their construction, which also contributed to their partial oblivion. However, such difficulties do not mean that the fireplace should not be used at all.
Electric fireplaces are a kind of example of modern technologies that have made it possible to enclose the energy of the fireplace in a small box and curb it.
A modern version of an electric fireplace. The facing of the portal is made of wood
By itself, a similar product is absolutely safe, since it absolutely does not heat up during operation, takes up little space and makes it possible to admire a full-fledged hearth. However, the main advantage of the product is the absence of combustion products, which allows it to be placed in any room, despite its size and stylistic focus. At the same time, the appearance of the electric analogue resembles a small rectangular box, which, when turned off, does not at all look like a traditional fireplace. The construction of a portal, which is a distinctive feature of any fireplace system or even its business card, will help to give it a classic appearance.
Portals for electric fireplaces are purely decorative structures designed to structurally highlight the hearth against the background of the entire interior, separating it and visually delimiting the room. They can be made of absolutely any materials, without fear of fire or damage, since the body of the product practically does not heat up during operation, projecting an image only on the screen. Based on this, we can conclude that the portals are used only to create an accent on the fireplace and should not violate the integrity of the existing design.
What is a fireplace portal?
The fireplace portal is a decorative frame for the fireplace niche. It can be a useful element in the decoration of a room. It is erected to improve the appearance of the fireplace and organically fit it into the interior.
In addition to decorative, portals serve more practical functions. In particular, they create additional usable wall space that can be used to accommodate many - even large - items. For example, a portal of large enough width can carry a radio receiver, flowerpots, and even a flat-screen TV. Photo frames, paintings or souvenirs can be placed on the mantels.
The process of creating a portal for a fireplace with your own hands - step by step instructions
Drawing
Whatever material you choose, it all starts with choosing a model and drawing up its drawing. The dimensions of the individual elements are applied, and the amount of material is calculated.
The depth of the firebox must be taken at least 2/3 of the height of the fireplace. If candles are used, the height of the firebox must be sufficient so that the top of the firebox does not heat up from the flame.
Base
The base platform is not the most required element, but it is desirable. Portals with a base projecting forward have a more finished look. In addition, the base can be extended to become accessory shelves or spectator seats.
One of the options can be chosen as the base (depending on the general style of the fireplace):
- Concrete pillow.
- Brickwork in several rows.
- Metal profile frame with plasterboard.
- Ceramic, wood or marble slab, etc.
Interior design
The dimensions of the fireplace in the apartment must correspond to the general space of the room in which it is located. Large fireplaces are suitable for a large room, small structures will look appropriate in a small room. A false fireplace is often installed in the hall, in the living room, kitchen, bedroom and even in the bathroom. It is sometimes used as a TV stand. The fireplace, depending on the interior in the room, can be decorated in a classic style, modern, rustic, English, hi-tech.
6 photo
If you want the design to match the style of an apartment or house, pay special attention when registering for a portal, chimney, or pre-furnace site. If the fireplace is made in a classic style, it is decorated with marble, natural wood. Shelves are an indispensable decorative element for such a design.
With shelves, the fireplace looks beautiful, it becomes functional. You can put figurines, candlesticks, vases on them
Shelves are an indispensable decorative element for such a design. With shelves, the fireplace looks beautiful, it becomes functional. You can put figurines, candlesticks, vases on them.
6 photo
A plasterboard fireplace portal is decorated with glass, an electric fireplace. The portal with the aquarium looks original and stylish. It can also be placed on a wide shelf. An electric fireplace made in the wall looks unusual and completely merges with the surface. Designers advise to decorate an empty portal with a wrought-iron grate, a firebox, candles, original vases, a painting, a mirror.
Do-it-yourself electric fireplace portal
Initially, you need to find out what form the portal will be. If the fireplace is installed along the wall, then the portal will accordingly have a rectangular shape, if the fireplace is installed in the corner, then the portal will be triangular.
A better option would be to draw an image of the visible portal on paper. Here you can turn on your imagination. After you finish with the sketch, then it is worth putting the real dimensions of the portal on it, thereby you can calculate the approximate amount of materials spent. The easiest method for creating a portal for an electric fireplace with your own hands is using drywall or plywood.
Main steps:
- Initially, it is necessary to assemble the lower part of the rectangular frame (or triangular, depending on the place where the electric fireplace is installed);
- Then he attaches a tightly vertical type of specialized racks to the frame;
- Next, you must complete the upper strapping of the racks;
- We install the port and use the corners to firmly attach it to the wall;
- Sheet material (it can be drywall, plywood, chipboard and many others) is fixed with self-tapping screws;
- We connect the tabletop with the portal;
- In order not to stain the countertop in the future, it is better to cover it with paper or a plastic bag;
- Layers of putty on the upper part of the portal should be applied to the formed seams and cracks;
- Finish the portal cladding with finishing material. In this case, you should rely on your taste. Finishing can be done with ceramic tiles, artificial stone or other finishing materials;
- After the portal has dried, you can install an electric fireplace inside;
What material should the hearth be of
Obviously, an open fire is not provided in the electric fireplace, nevertheless, the heating elements, while heating up, give out heat.Manufacturers assure that only fireproof materials are used in modern technologies for the manufacture of fireplaces.
Nevertheless, inspect the structure yourself, check if the heater area is insulated
Pay attention to the material and its flammability class. Check if it is likely to melt or otherwise deform when exposed to high temperature.
To avoid scalding, select material that does not heat up.