Facing the fireplace with drywall: features and installation
The fireplace in the room can perform both heating functions and decorative. Lining the fireplace from drywall is currently being performed using all modern finishing materials that are fire resistant.
The content of the article
Types and arrangement of fireplaces
Today there are two types of fireplaces in the room:
- Real, which have a functional fire chamber, the correct design of the chimney (seeFinishing the chimney outside and inside the house) and are heated by firewood, coal and other types of fuel.
- False fireplaces. They differ in that instead of the real fire in the firebox there will be an electric screen that shows an imitation of the flame of fire.
It does not require a chimney and other structural elements. The main thing is the uninterrupted supply of electric energy to the fireplace connection point.
Tip. It is only necessary to choose facing materials for this type of construction, focusing on their functionality.
Fields of application of drywall in the decoration of the fireplace portal
Drywall is a universal material that is used in finishing work not only to level the surface, but also to decorate it. At the moment, it is also freely used for decorating the fireplace portal on the outside and for the fireplace insert inside.
Tip. Despite the types of drywall for decorating a fireplace, it is best to use a fire-resistant look of this material.
Facing a fireplace with drywall can take a variety of forms:
- Square.
- Rectangular.
- Round off.
- Triangular and so on.
Note. When choosing a form, the location of the fireplace portal is always taken into account.
Basically, facing a functional fireplace with drywall is performed on:
- Brick surface.
- Aerated concrete.
- Foam blocks and other building materials.
Note. As for the internal structures, the lining of the fireplace insert with plasterboard is possible only in the case of high-quality and proper finishing with fire-resistant material.
This restriction applies only to fully functional and real fireplaces that run on solid fuel. In the case of false fireplaces, drywall can simply be painted.
How to make a fireplace using drywall
The use of drywall on any surface is characterized by the construction of a certain shape. There is a special instruction for this, according to which the fastening of sheets of material is carried out only on a metal profile frame.
Facing Fireplaces drywall is no exception. A metal crate is installed on any surface.
For such actions you will need:
- Metal profiles for the frame.
- The expansion bolt shield and self-tapping screws for fixing it on a surface and connection of all components of a design.
- Punch for screwing dowels.
- Self-tapping screwdriver.
- Construction level for the construction of a flat structure on the surface.
- Hacksaw or scissors for metal.
Stages of work:
- Initially, the supporting strips of the frame are mounted on the surface in a vertical position using dowels. They are joined in horizontal position by vertical slats and fixed with screws.
All corners and possible overlaps are removed with a hacksaw for metal. The same tool performs trimming and cutting profiles. - Once the frame is ready, then another metal profile is mounted on it upside down, which will serve as the basis for fastening the drywall sheets. Each bar should be in the form of a housing.
In the second frame construction, self-tapping screws and a screwdriver are most used.
After such actions, a crate is formed on the surface.
In order to mount drywall sheets on it, you will need:
- Screwdriver and screws.
- Building level.
- Tape measure and pencil.
- Stationery knife.
So:
- Mounting sheets is quite simple and all the work is done by hand. On the sheets with the help of a tape measure and a pencil, the required size is marked and cut off with the help of an office knife.
- Then the sheet is mounted on the frame using self-tapping screws and a screwdriver. You can use a screwdriver, only the work process will significantly increase in time.
- Since the corner joints of the material or those that are on the front side of the fireplace portal will be very noticeable, they must be masked.
- To do this, you need to make the surface homogeneous using a putty solution. He handles such joints and after drying pass sandpaper.
Similar actions can be performed with the visible hats of the screws.
Tip. If the fireplace portal has not directly proportional shapes, but round ones, then drywall must be moistened with water before use and put on some tall object that resembles the shape of the portal. When it dries, it will be much easier to mount the material.
- For a fireplace insert, all actions are also performed, but the frame on the surface has its own specific height.
Tip. When making a drywall fireplace, it is worth considering that the firebox inside the structure should be at a distance of not less than 30 cm from each edge of the portal.
Drywall decoration of the existing fireplace
In such works, it is necessary to use only those materials that are capable of withstanding a direct source of fire and high temperature conditions without deformation.
The most commonly used firebox liners are:
- A natural stone.
- Porcelain tile.
- Ceramic tile.
Things to consider:
- As a result of the fireplace, the surface of the materials can be covered with soot, but it is quite easy to clean it with a damp rag.
- Mounted materials only with durable and fireproof glue. For each of these types of finishes there is a specific tool for installation in a fireplace insert.
For work you will need:
- Adhesive.
- Putty knife.
- Capacity for mixing means.
- Building level.
- Tile cutter.
- Tape measure and pencil.
Attention! It is not recommended to paint the firebox, which is made of drywall, since the paint will not withstand the direct effects of fire.
Decoration of drywall fireplace portals
Facing drywall fireplaces can be performed using:
- Decorative stone.
- Plaster (stucco moldings).
- Porcelain tile.
- Decorative plastic panels.
For outdoor work, there are no restrictions on the choice of finishing material.
Fireplace decorative stone
This method of facing the fireplace portal is today considered the most common and very attractive. Due to the fact that the artificial stone in its appearance does not differ from the natural agglomerate, it is possible to create a unique design for any surface.
Mounting it is quite simple and the whole process can be seen on the video.
For work you will need:
- Concrete or adhesive mortar (special liquid glue or liquid nails can be used)
- Spatula for applying any solution.
- Building level for a smooth finish on the surface.
- Tape measure and pencil.
- Tile cutter.
- Decorative putty and, if necessary, cruciform beacons.
Gypsum plasterboard fireplace
Drywall fireplace facing implies the use of another material on the surface to give an aesthetically attractive appearance. Today plastering of fireplaces has become in demand.
Features:
- It is distinguished by luxury, since gypsum stucco was also used to decorate the royal chambers.
- There is a very large assortment of such material, but it is worth considering that it can only be mounted on a plastered plasterboard surface. All work on its painting is carried out after the installation of stucco.
For such work you will need:
- Building level.
- Special adhesive for non-water based gypsum elements.
- Tile cutter (if necessary).
Basically, gypsum elements come ready-made and do not require special processing or trimming. But it all depends on the quality of the installation work.
Tip. It is best to paint gypsum stucco with a non-aqueous emulsion paint, since it can soak the gypsum dough with too large a layer and then the design will begin to deform.
Fireplace porcelain tile
This facing material has not only excellent properties and characteristics, but also a large assortment of imitations on its surface.
There are such designs of porcelain tile:
- Under masonry with a different shade of brick.
- Under a stone with imitation of natural agglomerates of various types.
- For plastering and painting.
- Under the mosaic.
Characteristics:
- You can also find drawings and images, but they are not so often used in fireplace decoration.
- Given that the strength and reliability of this material are at a high level, the price will seem very low. Installation of porcelain tiles is carried out independently according to the principle of installation of ordinary ceramic.
Tip. Since porcelain stoneware has a rather large weight compared to simple ceramics, it is best to use a concrete solution with a variety of hardeners to fix it on the surface.
Porcelain tiles can be made and fireplace portal, and the furnace itself. The result is the unity of the whole design and a very original design.
