Those who own city apartments probably, somewhere in the depths of their souls, miss the crackling of firewood in their home interior. But this is not at all a reason to deny yourself such pleasure, limiting yourself to the fireplace, near which you can sit comfortably on a frosty evening.
After all, decorative false fireplaces made by yourself can bring no less comfort and warmth to your home. Especially if they are equipped with an imitation flame, as well as an electric firebox.
Note. When creating a false fireplace, you may need lumber; the website https://faneramonolit.ru/katalog-pilomaterialov/ offers the largest range at affordable prices.
Step-by-step instructions on how to make a false fireplace
This is a completely simple procedure. To make it, you will need to make a sketch, which, by the way, you can draw yourself! Any building materials will do. You can use drywall on a metal/wood frame.
Polyurethane, porcelain stoneware, tiles, MDF. You can come up with absolutely any shape for your fireplace, for example, imitate a classic hearth, or create an original design that will be complemented by other decorative elements. There are many ideas for homemade projects on this site.
Polyurethane
The fastest way to make your own decorative fireplace is to purchase a ready-made polyurethane portal. The thing is that today the store offers a wide range of different portals, among which choosing the right style and dimensions for your home is not at all problematic.
Electric fireplaces can be built into such a design, for which you need to know what its dimensions are (dimensions and installation). It is also important to know what the requirements are regarding ventilation as well as electrical connections.
When deciding to install a false fireplace made of polyurethane, you can use the photos of false fireplaces in our catalog, thanks to which you will certainly quickly decide on the right choice.
To make this version of the fireplace, you need a store-bought polyurethane portal, a contact type of glue, putty, finishing materials for the firebox such as decorative bricks.
Installation process:
- Select the location where the false fireplace will be installed. It is advisable to install it on one of the side walls in the room, since in this way you will achieve maximum harmony. At the same time, the fireplace should not become an obstacle to movement in the room.
- You need to think in advance whether your portal will have an electric fireplace, as well as lighting. To do this, you will need to run wires and make an outlet nearby.
- Using wooden blocks you should make a frame. Also for a profile with a wall, plywood or gypsum board is suitable.
- The portal should be installed. Then secure using contact glue. Carefully fill the gaps using a finishing type of putty.
- Install an electric fireplace and finish the firebox in accordance with your preferred interior design style. If necessary, connect the backlight. If your fireplace is in a classic style, lighting with soft and warm tones would be ideal. In other cases, an LED strip can be used.
Backlight
If you are not going to install an electric fireplace, decorate the back of your structure with a mirror. Place decorated logs on the bottom/fill it with stones, shells, and glass balls.
You can make a completely safe fire inside your fireplace. To do this, install candles with different shapes and heights in the firebox.
Decoration of the back of the fireplace
The portal can be decorated using paint, patina, gilding, or using decorative elements. The mantelpiece can be installed from wood/artificial stone.
Finished portals are made of polyurethane or wood. They are much more expensive, but at the same time you can find the most incredible masterpieces among them. For example, a bar can be installed inside.
Plasterboard false fireplace
If after repair work you still have a profile or gypsum board, use it! This option will not only be excellent, but also very inexpensive. And the design will fit into any type of niche/corner. It can also become an element of a real shelf composition.
For such a structure you will need: wooden beams, galvanized plasterboard profile, scraps of plasterboard, plywood sheets, a screwdriver, a jigsaw, scissors for metal carving, putty, acrylic-based paint, brick/decorative type of stone.
The manufacturing process is as follows. It is important to think through a sketch of the fireplace in advance, which will indicate all the dimensions, including the joints of the frame parts. It is important to measure the room and decide where exactly the fireplace will be located. Then the required amount of material is calculated.
The frame is made from a profile, its elements are connected to each other with self-tapping screws. The profile is cut with a hacksaw/scissors. In order for all elements to be as stable as possible, they should be connected by transverse types of jumpers. If your structure is too large, then its frame should be attached to the floor and walls. After all, if it is heavy, or simply narrow, the fireplace will be completely unstable. The gypsum board should be cut out in accordance with the sketch, then tried on, trimmed if necessary and secured using black knee screws directly to the profile. The self-tapping caps should be slightly deepened so that puttying will not be problematic in the future. GCR is quite easy to cut with a knife.
Then the sheets are screwed to the frame. The joints and fastening points should be puttied and leveled using putty intended for interior work in two layers. The corners should be reinforced with paint mesh.
Then you should putty the edges with the gypsum board joints. Level the surfaces on the sheets; if necessary, use putty. The structure needs to be painted. Also, for finishing you need to use other materials, such as artificial stone, tiles, stucco. You need to glue it with a special glue, which is diluted strictly according to the instructions.
The firebox is decorated with brickwork, or a mirror is installed on the rear wall of the structure.
You can also install candles inside the firebox, or install an imitation of a hearth with lighting.
A false fireplace is a completely safe design that can be installed even in children's rooms. At the same time, you can use the mantelpiece as a stand for photo frames, toys and other things.
Photos of the best design options for false fireplaces in the interior
Many people dream of having a real fireplace with a live fire in their home. But, unfortunately, not everyone can afford it due to various reasons. A decorative fireplace made of plasterboard is an alternative to a stone structure. You can do it yourself, without the help of specialists.
Advantages of plasterboard fireplaces
- Its installation does not require permission from the fire inspectorate.
- A decorative fireplace will cost much less than a real one - it can be built from leftover building materials after renovation. In addition, you do not need to constantly heat it and spend money on firewood.
- It does not require a chimney installation.
- The fake fireplace is safe to use.
- It can be placed in any convenient place.
- When installing such a fireplace, you can turn your fantasies into reality and make a “hearth” according to your own design.
- There is no “dirty” work during its construction. You can make a plasterboard fireplace and install it even after renovations in the room, etc.
A fireplace made of paper, a master class on the manufacture of which is presented, can be made independently from scrap materials. The question arises, how? Let's figure it out.
What is needed to build a plasterboard false fireplace?
To build a decorative plasterboard fireplace with your own hands, you need to prepare the following tools and materials:
- sheet of drywall;
- slats/picket fence/metal profile;
- screwdriver and self-tapping screws for gypsum boards and metal;
- putty;
- Bulgarian;
- roulette;
- screwdriver;
- building level;
- pencil/marker/pen;
- Whatman paper/sheet of paper;
- jigsaw/circular saw;
- abrasive mesh/sandpaper;
- bar;
- metal scissors.
Read also the information about in addition to this article.
Video: making a fireplace from plasterboard with your own hands
Advice! It is not necessary to buy a sheet of drywall and a metal profile. To install a false fireplace, there will be enough scraps of materials remaining after repair work.
A plasterboard fireplace can be equipped with an electronic portal simulating a live fire. Some people prefer to leave the firebox empty, placing candles, garlands or lanterns there.
Stages of creation
Making a decorative fireplace with your own hands - a list of sequential activities. Correctly following the algorithm of actions described below, you can make an excellent plasterboard hearth without extra cost and effort. Main stages of work:
- Selecting an installation location.
- Creating a sketch.
- Installation.
- Facing.
- Finishing work.
- Decoration.
We previously wrote about and advised you to bookmark the article.
Place for a fireplace
Traditionally, the fireplace is placed in the middle of the wall in the living room. However, in modern city apartments there is not much free space and you have to improvise. A false fireplace can be installed in a corner, hiding an unsightly space from view. An equally popular option is to build a “hearth” under the TV if it is hanging on the wall. For spacious rooms, it is recommended to install the fireplace as a separate structure in the middle of the main wall opposite the entrance.
Advice! The fireplace can be installed in any room. It will look great in the living room, office, bedroom or nursery.
Sketch
A decorative fireplace always attracts the attention of others, so it must fully match the interior of the room. It is recommended to pay great attention to its design. To do this, several sketches of the future structure are created and the best option is selected. Masters advise sketching the fireplace on a sheet of Whatman paper in the full size of the structure. The sketch is made in accordance with the dimensions of the selected location. Next we start creating the layout. It will help you calculate the required amount of building material and see design errors. Some people make it from cardboard or paper.
Important! It is not necessary to develop a drawing yourself; you can take ready-made projects on the Internet as a basis.
Installation
- The construction of a fireplace begins with creating a frame from a metal U-shaped profile. If you don’t have one at hand, you can use a CD or UD profile.
Important! The frame structure does not carry a serious load, so to create it you can use scrap metal profiles, a picket fence or unnecessary slats.
The first step in creating a frame is cutting a metal profile and screwing the support (back wall).
- The metal profile is cut according to the dimensions of the sketch. First, assemble the support frame (the back wall of the frame) and screw it to the wall with dowel nails or self-tapping screws.
Advice! You can assemble the structure of the fireplace, and only then screw it to the wall. This is done after facing the side walls of the “hearth”.
- Next, the rest of the frame is assembled. Jumpers are inserted every 30 cm between the horizontal and vertical guides for structural strength.
Advice! The most important thing when creating a frame is to make a geometrically correct structure. All corners must be checked with a building level. If the “body” of the fireplace is bent, everything can be corrected at this stage.
Facing
The finished frame is covered with plasterboard. The sheets are pre-cut into several parts according to the sketch and screwed with self-tapping screws every 10 cm. If you plan to use heating devices or candles inside the combustion hole, then the frame is sheathed with heat-resistant material. The most commonly used materials are magnesite, asbestos or sheet metal.
Parts for the foot of the fireplace and under the mantelpiece are separately cut out of plasterboard. The corners of the structure are rounded using an abrasive mesh and a block. Sliding movements make the surface smooth and remove roughness. The shelf and base are attached with self-tapping screws and silicone glue.
Read also the article about in addition to this material.
Advice! If decorative finishing materials are applied to drywall, then the frame is sheathed with plasterboard in two layers.
Finishing
A decorative fireplace made of plasterboard, made by yourself, is “finished” to your taste. You can cover the finished structure with film or wallpaper, putty and paint it, cover it with stone or tiles.
If a plasterboard fireplace is to be puttied and painted, then a primer layer is first applied to the surface of the structure, then all joints and seams are sealed. The putty is applied in several layers, first the starting layer, followed by rubbing with sandpaper, then the finishing layer. Dust is removed using a damp sponge or washcloth.
Advice! To ensure that the corners of the fireplace are even, a perforated corner is attached to them.
If you plan to make the fireplace as similar to a traditional one as possible, then it is recommended to decorate the installation with artificial stone. To do this, the surface of the “hearth” is primed and the finishing material is glued to a special glue. After the glue has dried, the gaps between the stone/tile are sealed using a fugue.
You can cover the false fireplace with decorative plaster. After applying the first layer on the surface using a spatula, you can “draw” bricks or any other design. After drying, brush along the edges of the ornament, then apply a layer of acrylic paint.
Decoration
The resulting decorative plasterboard fireplace can be decorated with plaster columns, forged products, stucco molding, moldings, borders or baseboards. Some people cover the installation with decorative film imitation stone. The tabletop is also decorated to your taste. Decorating a fireplace is a creative process, and to create the atmosphere of a real hearth, you can use homemade logs, real bars, lantern candles, candlesticks and other attributes. Read the article about that on our website.
It’s not difficult to make a decorative fireplace from plasterboard with your own hands. It is not necessary to have construction skills to make such a structure. All that is required from the master is attentiveness, ingenuity and imagination.
Owners of city apartments can only dream of a real fireplace with cozy crackling wood - the ceilings of typical houses may not withstand such a load, and chimneys in high-rise buildings are almost always absent.
But this is not a reason to abandon the design in the style of a classic living room! Decorative false fireplaces create an atmosphere of comfort and warmth, especially if you equip them with an electric firebox with imitation flame.
Building a false fireplace with your own hands is quite simple, just find or draw a sketch, choose the frame material and finishing. A variety of building materials are suitable for making a false fireplace: plasterboard on a wooden or metal frame, polyurethane decorative elements, tiles and porcelain stoneware, MDF and laminated chipboard, plywood, polystyrene foam and even ordinary cardboard. The shape of a decorative fireplace can be completely different, from an imitation of a classic hearth to an original design, complemented by other decorative elements.
In this article we will try to describe in as much detail as possible the process of creating a false fireplace with our own hands, we will provide all the drawings, photos from different angles and a video of the finished product, good luck in construction!
The fastest way to do this is to buy ready-made polyurethane. The range of portals is quite wide and you can certainly choose the style and size that suits your room. An electric fireplace can be built into a ready-made polyurethane portal; to do this, you need to know its overall and installation dimensions, as well as the requirements for ventilation and connection to the electrical network. If you want to do everything yourself as much as possible, you can go shopping and take measurements from ready-made portals; by purchasing a piece of polyurethane, you can make a similar model much cheaper than its ready-made counterpart!
To create such a fireplace, you need purchased polyurethane, contact adhesive, putty and finishing materials for the firebox, for example, decorative brick.
Step-by-step process for installing a false fireplace
Ready-made portals can be made not only of polyurethane, but also of wood. Their price is much higher, but among them there are real masterpieces, for example, with a bar inside.
False fireplace made of plasterboard, simple and fast
To reduce the cost of your fireplace fireplace budget as much as possible, use the remaining drywall and profile from the renovation. Such a decorative fireplace will easily fit into any niche or corner, and can also be an element of an entire composition of shelves.
False fireplace made of plasterboard - photo
To create a false fireplace from plasterboard you will need: a galvanized profile for plasterboard or wooden blocks, sheets or scraps of plasterboard or plywood, a screwdriver and a jigsaw, metal scissors, putty and acrylic paint, decorative stone or brick.
Technology for making a false fireplace from plasterboard
- The main key to success is a well-thought-out sketch of the future, indicating all the dimensions and joints of the frame. Measure the room and decide where to install the fireplace. Calculate the required amount of material, and feel free to get down to business.
- A frame is made from a galvanized profile, connecting its elements using metal screws and a screwdriver. Cut the profile using a hacksaw or metal scissors. For stability, the frame elements are connected by transverse bridges. The frame must be attached to the walls and floor if the structure turns out to be bulky, heavy or too narrow - i.e. if there is a risk of instability of the structure.
- Drywall sheets are cut out according to the sketch and tried on. Trim and fasten with hardened black self-tapping screws to the profile. The screw caps are slightly recessed so that they can be puttied later. Drywall can be easily cut with a knife.
- The joints and fastening points are puttied and leveled with putty for interior work in two layers, the corners are additionally reinforced with painting mesh.
- Level the surface of the sheets, if necessary, using putty.
- The resulting structure is painted or finished with other materials: artificial stone, tiles or stucco. They are glued to glue intended for this material, diluted according to the instructions on the package.
- The firebox is decorated using materials that imitate brickwork; a mirror can be installed on the back wall of the firebox.
- Candles or an imitation of a fireplace with lighting are placed inside the firebox.
This false fireplace is absolutely safe, it can even be installed in a child’s room. The mantel will serve as a stand for photographs, toys and trinkets, and the softly flickering hearth will create a cozy atmosphere.
Corner decorative fireplace made of plasterboard (video)
The most budget option, which allows you to make a false fireplace with lighting from an old unnecessary sideboard or cabinet. To work you will need:
- jigsaw;
- wood sander;
- screwdriver;
- plywood sheets;
- putty;
- acrylic paint;
- finishing materials: stucco and finishing stone made of gypsum, decorative elements.
Technology for making a false fireplace from an old sideboard:
- The doors of an old-style sideboard are removed and the lower cabinet is removed, leaving only the upper section. She is placed on her side.
- The façade is covered with plywood to create a firebox and firewood. The plywood is attached to self-tapping screws using a screwdriver.
- Polished surfaces are processed with a wood sander to make them rough. The walls are primed with an adhesive-based primer, and after the primer dries, the surface is puttied and leveled. Dry the putty, sand down the uneven areas and paint it with acrylic paint, finishing the corners with artificial stone or brick. Decorative elements are glued - stucco molding, and a fireplace mantel made of MDF is installed.
- The firebox is decorated: a red or yellow LED strip is glued around the perimeter, and the bottom is decorated with pebbles, colored sand or shells. You can also install candles inside the firebox.
It is not possible to install a real fireplace with fire in a city apartment. This is to blame for a whole range of factors, ranging from weak ceilings to the inability to make a proper chimney. That is why city residents began to look for an alternative option for themselves, and they found it.
An excellent solution was a false fireplace, which allows you to create a suitable atmosphere in the apartment, but does not have obvious heating functionality. Such a structure can be built from various materials, for example, gypsum, polyurethane, polystyrene foam, cardboard and, finally, drywall.
Self-made dummy fireplace in the room
One of the simplest solutions is the construction of a structure from plasterboard sheets. In this article we will talk about how to make a fireplace from plasterboard with your own hands, give step-by-step construction instructions and a master class on all stages of production.
Preparatory activities
Drywall is considered one of the most versatile building materials. It is unpretentious, easy to use and can take on almost any finishing touch. In addition, the cost of this finishing material is acceptable for many people. In most cases, it is used for finishing apartments.
Using sheets of drywall and a metal profile, you can create almost any shape. That is why a decorative fireplace made of plasterboard will be a simple and relevant solution if you want to add a highlight to the interior of the room, the main accent.
Drywall is used to create the frame of a false fireplace; it is attached to a metal profile, and then the exterior finishing of the resulting structure is carried out. This type of construction is very convenient, because if you decide that an imitation fireplace made of plasterboard should look different, then there will be no particular difficulties in changing the finish, and you can easily change its appearance.
The main decorative element in the room
Step-by-step instructions for building a fireplace from plasterboard with your own hands are as follows:
- Preparatory work, purchase of tools and materials.
- Assembling a structure from a metal profile and plasterboard.
- Carrying out finishing work and creating a finished look.
It is worth noting that the preparatory work will be largely decisive and greatly influence the result. They should start by choosing the appropriate type of false fireplace and drawing up its sketch. You can always view drawings of fireplaces made of plasterboard or other materials on the Internet; simple designs and more complex systems are posted on various portals.
Having decided on the appearance of the false fireplace, making sure that it will look harmonious in the interior, it is necessary to carry out measuring work on the ground and adjust the drawing of the false fireplace in size. This is done not only in order to build the structure correctly, it is important to know how much materials to purchase. Once you have a detailed drawing of a plasterboard fireplace with dimensions, you can easily calculate the budget for future construction.
The simplest fireplace drawing
Now that you have the initial data, you can begin to select and purchase materials. First of all, you will need drywall, which comes in different types. The finishing will help you decide which type to choose; it determines which drywall to buy. For example, if the cladding will be made with ceramic tiles, then it is worth taking a moisture-resistant option (GKLV), but if painting will be done, ordinary hypocardboard (GKL) will do.
Good to know: False fireplace - decorative imitation for placement in the interior
Classic types of drywall
Another important material will be the metal profile. To assemble the frame we will need guides and racks. The frame elements are fastened with metal screws, often called “bugs”, and the drywall is sewn to the profile with wood screws. The metal profile is attached to the wall with dowel nails or the same wood screws.
Types of metal profiles
Depending on the chosen style of fireplace structure, finishing materials should be purchased. To bring the product to perfection, putty will be useful; with its help you can level the joints of sheets and cover up the recesses from self-tapping screws. The primer will help to more firmly fix the finishing material, which can be wallpaper, paint, tiles, plastic panels, and other options. Each finishing material will need its own glue:
- for plastic panels - mounting;
- for wallpaper - wallpaper;
- for ceramic tiles - dry mixture, as well as grout for joints.
The amount of materials is calculated based on the dimensions and design of the plasterboard fireplace. A correctly drawn up drawing will help you calculate how much it will take to build a fireplace with your own hands from plasterboard.
In addition, you should make sure that you have the right tool for the job. What you will need:
- To draw up a drawing and apply markings - a pencil, a marker, a tape measure, a corner, a level, a plumb line.
- To work with drywall and profiles - metal scissors, construction knife, jigsaw, screwdriver, hammer drill, screwdriver.
- For finishing work - spatulas, brushes, sealant gun, containers, glue.
Think about what work you have to do to make a homemade fireplace, and in accordance with this plan, select the right tool.
Assembling the frame of the structure
When you have thoroughly prepared, when you have a drawing, tools and materials, you can begin building the frame of the false fireplace. The step-by-step methodology involves the following steps:
- Transfer the drawing of the future fireplace in real life, onto the walls and floor in the right place. Use tools to mark the level and size.
- According to the markings, attach the guides to the floor and walls. If you need to attach a guide to a concrete wall, this is done as follows. First, the profile is applied to the intended line, holes are made in it and the wall, then dowels are inserted into the wall, the metal guide is again applied and secured.
Setting up the main supports and guides of the future fireplace
- When the guides are secured, racks are inserted into them and secured with metal screws. To work with self-tapping screws, use a screwdriver; using a screwdriver to carry out such work is very tedious. When assembling the main frame, make sure that it is level and the racks are in a strictly vertical position. The wall may be curved or blocked, so you should not focus on it.
- Having assembled the general frame of the structure, you can move on to a more detailed study of the portal, and then to the construction of the firebox. At the same time, do not forget to regularly insert jumpers into the profile, at a distance of 10-15 centimeters from each other. They will give the entire system the required rigidity.
- If it is necessary to make rounded edges, then in this case the profile is cut with metal scissors in several places and bent.
Good to know: How to make a corner false fireplace with your own hands, manufacturing technology
When assembling the frame, you will have to try, but the resulting structure should instill confidence in you. The frame made by your own hands will become the basis for the entire building. Now we have to cover it with plasterboard.
Fully assembled frame of a false fireplace made of metal profile
To make the necessary patterns on a sheet of drywall, you will again have to use the drawing. To cut drywall, you can use a construction knife or a jigsaw, whichever is more convenient for you. In this case, we immediately cut the sheet with a jigsaw, but with a knife we act differently.
To cut a piece of drywall from a sheet, you should attach a level or an even metal profile to the line drawn with a pencil and make a cut with a knife. This way you can cut through the cardboard and catch some of the plaster. Then you should break the sheet of drywall along the resulting cut, bend it, then cut the second layer of cardboard shell and separate the piece.
You may not be able to cut a piece straight the first time, but after some practice the work will improve. Now the cut parts should be secured to a metal profile. For this, wood screws and a screwdriver are used. Try not to push the head of the screw too far into the drywall. Place the fasteners in increments of 10-15 centimeters and try not to get into the places where the jumpers are installed to stiffen the frame; it will be incredibly difficult to get through them with a self-tapping screw.
Properly screwed self-tapping screw into drywall
Covering the frame of a false fireplace with plasterboard is a very labor-intensive task, but does not require any special skills; all of them will appear during work. Try to handle the drywall carefully, do not drop it on the floor; when screwing in the screws, try not to press too hard or sharply so that the screwdriver does not fly off and damage the drywall.
Frame of false fireplace covered with plasterboard
At the final stage, when the frame of the structure is built and sheathed, putty can be applied. Putty will allow you to make smooth joints and hide minor structural defects. After grinding, you will get a portal with smooth edges and walls. Now we can assume that you have built a false fireplace from plasterboard with your own hands, all that remains is to decorate it. Note that for many people it is easier to buy a ready-made portal, for example, made of polyurethane, in order to immediately proceed to the decorating stage.
Finishing work
The plasterboard fireplace is ready, it's time to proceed to the most interesting part. The external image of the room will help you choose a design style; focusing on its design, you can easily select suitable materials and decorate your false fireplace.
Decorating a false fireplace with artificial stone
Among the most common options are:
- Simple painting of the structure white, similar to finishing. To do this, it is necessary to prime the structure and then paint it with water-based, acrylic or latex paint in several layers.
- Finishing the structure with artificial stone. The artificial stone is glued to the frame using tile adhesive or liquid nails.
- Wallpapering an imitation fireplace. Wallpaper can be easily pasted onto drywall; the main thing is to mix the wallpaper glue correctly. An interesting option would be to use liquid wallpaper, a kind of decorative plaster.
- Sheathing with plastic panels imitating brickwork, stone, wood. The range of PVC panels in construction stores is simply huge, it will be easy for you to choose the appropriate option. We glue the panels to the false fireplace with liquid nails.
- Cladding a dummy fireplace with ceramic tiles. The tile attaches perfectly to primed drywall. When laying, use plastic crosses to ensure that the joint lines are even.
Appearance of a finished false fireplace made of plasterboard
At the final stage, you should deal with the firebox, what can be done:
- In a city apartment, it is quite possible to get a living flame if you place a bio-fireplace burner in the firebox of a false fireplace made of plasterboard. Of course, you first need to finish the firebox with fireproof materials, for example, ceramic tiles.
- Another solution allows you to get, in this case we install an electric fireplace in a niche. It will give the room an amazing feeling of the presence of real fire.
- You can install a liquid crystal screen with a live fire image in a niche, which is also a good option for creating the desired atmosphere.
- A bright glow from the firebox can be easily created by installing mirror walls and an LED strip.
- A simpler solution is to decorate the firebox with improvised materials. It is permissible to place artificial or real firewood, tree branches, and candle cones in it. Decorative accessories located next to the false fireplace will complement the ambiance.
Good to know: Decorative fireplace made of polyurethane, how to make it yourself
You can always look for original ideas for designing dummy fireplaces made of gypsum board and other materials on the Internet, not on the same sites where you looked at the building designs for the drawing. Decorating masters are happy to share their work with everyone.
We hope that now you understand how to make a fireplace from plasterboard at home yourself, now you can imagine all the stages of work and are ready to start doing them right now.
We place the frame on the base
Fireplaces in modern houses and apartments are installed not for heating, but as interior decoration. The fireplace serves as a decorative attribute and creates a special ambiance. In a decorative fireplace, the main role is given to the external frame - the portal (from the English portal - gate, main entrance).
Decorative fireplaces can be an artistic imitation (false fireplace), or they can become a frame for an electric fireplace. In a false fireplace, you can provide the possibility of a “live fire”: special burners with biofuel or candles. In this case, you need to think in advance about how to ensure maximum safety of such a structure.
If you plan to have an electric fireplace, then the size of the firebox will be determined by the shape and size of the electrical appliance. Electricity, sockets and other necessary elements for the safe operation of an electric fireplace must be installed before installing the portal, and when developing it, all the features of the selected electric fireplace model must be taken into account.
Fireplace portals can be made from different finishing materials: wood, stone, ceramics, cast iron, polyurethane ( We previously wrote about and recommended bookmarking the article). If you decide to make a fireplace with your own hands, then you can choose materials such as plywood, chipboard or cardboard to install the portal box. We advise you to study in more detail the article about on our website.
These materials are easy to work with, so building a fireplace portal with your own hands will not be difficult.
Preparatory stage
Before proceeding with installation, you need to choose a location for the fireplace. This architectural addition to the interior will play a key role. The fireplace should attract attention, that is, it should be placed in a prominent place. A seating area is formed around the fireplace, selecting pieces of furniture so that they do not cover the hearth. All features of a room with a fireplace must be taken into account in advance.
An important point is determining the dimensions, which must correspond to the proportions of the room. For convenience, you can make a life-size model from paper (cardboard) or draw the outlines of the future structure directly on the wall and floor. You can use a special computer program.
You can develop a portal with a podium (raise the firebox area a few centimeters from the floor). This solution is relevant if you plan to use candles or bioburners.
It is worth considering that even this use of fire requires compliance with safety measures. The firebox can be finished with heat-resistant materials, such as ceramic tiles, mosaics, glass or metal.
Now you can give free rein to your imagination, come up with your own portal design with decorative elements and make a sketch indicating the exact dimensions. It is worth working hard on the sketch in order not only to correctly calculate the need for materials, select the optimal fastening methods and quantity of fasteners, but also to make the most correct drawings of each design detail. This will greatly facilitate the installation process, save you from wasting time and effort on adjusting parts or altering them, which also means extra costs.
Preparation of chipboard parts
So, we will assemble the portal frame from chipboard. The material is affordable and quite durable. To simplify the task as much as possible, you can opt for laminated chipboard (LDSP). This option will eliminate the need for subsequent finishing of the portal box.
Choosing the color and texture of a laminated surface that will match the interior of the room is not difficult. The industry produces a wide range of such products.
Such a portal with imitation wood will look great. This choice is practical, as it does not require complex adjustment of the pattern at the joints.
The only difficulty when working with laminated chipboard is not to damage the surface, since it is impossible to correct even a minor defect.
One of the important stages is cutting the material. You can do this yourself, or you can order this work from a specialized workshop. There you can also choose a material that suits the texture and color.
Using professional tools, experienced specialists will cut the blade carefully and accurately. The main thing is to correctly indicate the sequence of sizes: the first number is the size along the grain of the wood (along the picture), the second is across the grain.
You also need to choose a suitable edge for finishing the cuts. It is easy to glue it with a well-heated iron, but you can entrust this stage of work to professionals.
When working with ordinary chipboard or plywood, it is enough to cut exactly to size, since the box will be decorated.
Assembly
Now you can start assembling. The sketch of the portal should always be before your eyes.
First we mount the frame. It can be made from metal or wooden slats.
A contour that is drawn on the wall and floor exactly according to the dimensions of the box will help with this work if you plan to assemble the body at the installation site of the fireplace, rigidly fixing it to the wall.
The frame can be assembled separately and the back wall can be made of chipboard. This version of the box can be installed against the wall, like a piece of furniture.
The frame is covered with laminated chipboard parts. The box is ready. In the case of a laminated product, the portal is almost ready. If the material is ordinary chipboard or plywood, then it’s time to move on to finishing. There are many options here.
One of the most interesting is decorative stone finishing. It can be glued with a solution to chipboard. You can use marble-effect panels, ceramic tiles, mosaics, and tiles. But such finishing materials are quite expensive.
Portals made of natural wood with carved elements look interesting. You can sheathe the box with boards or carriage, and order carved decor in a workshop or buy it at a hardware store.
The most budget-friendly option is to cover the box with thick wallpaper with a pattern of brick or stonework. Such a portal is additionally decorated with moldings, which are varnished.
You also need to decorate the firebox. For this you can use black and red fabric. Cover the wall with black and place the red fabric at the bottom of the firebox. To simulate fire, you can make LED lighting, electric candles, or put a garland in the hearth. If it is not possible to conduct electricity, you can use batteries.
Don't be afraid to decorate your home with your own hands, it's not as difficult as it seems, but very enjoyable. Your own creation is not only a reason for pride, but also saves the family budget.