Fireplace or stove to choose. Which is better - a fireplace or a stove? Stoves, fireplaces or stove-fireplaces, which will better heat a country house

One of the advantages that the owners of all private houses have is the ability to choose a heating system. Of course, at present, an increasing number of them prefer "apartment" options - boilers and heaters, because they are more practical and functional. However, the fireplace and stove did not disappear without a trace and are also used quite often, because they have always been identified (and continue to do so) with real living warmth and comfort.

Fireplace or stove - which is better?

Thinking about what to install in the house: a fireplace or a stove, many people cannot make a final decision for quite a long time. But making a choice is actually not so difficult, you just need to think a little ahead.

For example, first of all, you need to decide what functions the system you are installing will perform, only heating or also cooking. In the latter case, you will definitely need an oven.

The next thing to consider is the amount of work that needs to be done. Of course, if the house is still at the stage of project development, then there is not much difference what to choose, apart from personal preferences. But in the finished building, the difference between the equipment of the fireplace and the stove will be significant. The latter, for example, will require a lot of space for its base, as well as laying chimney channels, including between floors, we read - how to make a chimney with your own hands. The fireplace in this regard is less demanding and easier to install.

Although, on the other hand, ready-made metal structures are currently being sold, even attached ones, which only need to be overlaid with bricks to get a real furnace. The coefficient of efficiency (hereinafter - efficiency) of such a furnace reaches 80 percent, while it is much lighter and easier to install in the traditional version.

So today the dilemma, stove or fireplace, is solved only by one's own sympathies and preferences, or by installing a hybrid system. I want to advise you on how to make a fireplace with your own hands.

Hybrid stoves and fireplaces.

One of the hybrid varieties of stoves and fireplaces is a fireplace stove, which incorporates the advantages of both a stove and a fireplace. Its main advantage (especially for those who rarely heat the house and do not visit it regularly) is the ability to quickly heat up and retain heat for a long time. All this is ensured by the design of the device, because the fireplace stove combines 2 fireboxes at once in one case, one of which is equipped with a glass door.

In addition to these features, the hybrid system differs from the fireplace also in the principle of operation: the fireplace heats the room due to the fire in the open firebox, and the fireplace stove heats the heat coming from the walls. The efficiency of the latter is 70-80 percent (for comparison: the efficiency of the fireplace is only 15 percent).

By the way, in addition to heating the room, the fireplace stove also allows you to cook food, for this it has special burners. True, the temperature of cooking, as you understand, is extremely difficult to adjust here.

Stove or fireplace video

08.05.2017
8738
Pechnik (Moscow)

Many owners of private houses want to place a heating installation in their apartments. Such a hearth allows not only to make the atmosphere as cozy and comfortable as possible, but also to acquire a source that brings warmth.

Another question that arises in this case is what is better - a stove or a fireplace? It is impossible to find an unambiguous answer to this question, since both units have their own exclusive features and advantages. However, a choice is possible. To do this, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the materials of this article and view photos of ready-made installations.

Fireplace for a private house

A fireplace is an original part of any interior, it symbolizes warmth and comfort. Such an installation allows you to create a positive, favorable and warm atmosphere in the house. The advantages include a unique opportunity to make such a heating unit with your own hands.

When choosing such a model, you should first of all decide on its main function and thereby decide which stove or fireplace is better:

• Open. Primarily performs a decorative function. Such devices have an original and excellent appearance. This is primarily due to the open hearth. This allows you to contemplate the fire from any angle and from a convenient angle. The disadvantages include low efficiency. The design, due to the open type of hearth, warms up very slowly and unevenly, which does not allow to heat the house well and fully:
• Closed. It has a more classic and familiar look to the eye. The hearth is closed on three or four sides. Cast iron, metal or refractory glass can be used as partitions. Such units are specially designed for heating and have a sufficiently high efficiency, quickly warm up and evenly distribute heat throughout all apartments.

Important: if you decide to assemble a fireplace designed for heating, pay special attention to its power and location. Place it in the largest spacious, central room of the house. The best fireplaces for your home are those that are the right size and power for all the areas you want to heat.

You can learn more about the benefits of fireplaces by watching the video in this article.

Choice of combustion chamber

In addition to the external features of open and closed foci, there are a number of secondary, but no less important, which should also be taken into account when choosing a model. This will help you answer the question: fireplace or stove, which is better?

1. Closed structures are more economical. This is due to the long process of burning logs. Completely closed design of the hearth, allows firewood to flare up well and slowly and heat the premises;
2. The price of fuel for open hearths is quite high, since an open base with constantly circulating and air entering it contributes to the rapid burning of logs and coals;
3. Pay attention to the way the duct is constructed. The quality of heating and the rate of removal of combustion products, carbon dioxide, depend on how correctly the chimney is located.

Important: compared to open models, closed ones have a higher cost due to their functionality and useful properties. However, much depends on the size of the selected installation, its location, materials of manufacture and power.

Tip: for full-fledged and high-quality work of such a design, it is necessary to equip the chimney and pre-seal the inside of the installation with special heat-inertia materials, which can be used as talcomagnesite.

Features of installation and installation

In order for the structure to be installed in accordance with all the rules and function properly, it is necessary to adhere to a number of simple requirements. Instructions for use and installation:

1. If you bought a unit with a fully or partially open combustion chamber, choose a place as far as possible from various drafts, window and door openings. Such accommodation is the safest for both the house and the residents living in it;
2. Choose a spacious room with good ventilation. This will make the air flow regular and allow the flame to flare up well;
3. If the structure is adjacent to the wall, it must first be sealed and insulated with special materials. It is equally important to cover the floor covering with protective compounds and materials, at a distance of one meter from all sides of the heating installation;
4. Do not install the structure near the load-bearing walls of the house. With this arrangement, all the heat will go exclusively into the walls, and the fireplace will not heat the house;
5. If the weight of the fireplace together with the hearth has a total mass of more than 300 kilograms, it becomes necessary to install an additional foundation.

Furnace for a private house

If you do not know which is better - a stove or a fireplace, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the main features of the stove heating unit. The stove, unlike the fireplace, was created exclusively for heating the room. This option is very high power, functionality and productive work.

As a rule, furnaces have a fairly large mass. That is why it is necessary to start designing and installing such a model even at the stage of building a house. You will also need to build an additional foundation so that the flooring can support the weight of the unit.

Important: when carrying out and drafting a project, pay special attention to the size, power and location of the furnace. It is best to entrust the construction and development of the project to a professional master who can take into account all the features of the design and the house itself.

Tip: for uniform and quick heating of all apartments, the unit is best placed in the largest and most spacious room. Prefer an island location.

Interesting to know: a properly designed and installed stove can be smaller than a fireplace and still be up to five times more efficient!

Furnace classification

These heating systems are divided into the following types:

• Metal. are the most functional. As a rule, they include not only the heating function, but also a built-in hob. Models are intended for heating and cooking. Some models may have an oven. Installation of this design is an alternative for houses located in areas with constant interruptions in gas and electricity;
• Stone. Used exclusively for heating. Able to keep warm for 9-13 hours. They are distinguished by their efficiency in terms of firewood consumption and are easy to install and decorate.

Important: enamel or heat-resistant paint is used as a finishing material for both options. Dark shades are more popular due to the less noticeable darkening that occurs as a result of contact of the material with an open flame.

Combined stove and fireplace

When choosing the optimal and most suitable model, very often people ask themselves the question: what is better than a fireplace or a fireplace stove?

Models such as fireplace stoves are universal and combine all the positive qualities and properties of both installations. Their benefits and features include:

1. Good heat retention as in classic furnace units;
2. Fast and uniform heating like fireplaces;
3. Partially open combustion chamber allows you to enjoy an impeccable view of a burning and bright flame;
4. The design features are the presence of two combustion chambers at once, one of which is closed with special refractory transparent glass. The second, in turn, is made of cast iron or steel.

Powerful furnace with main and additional combustion chamber and enamel. On combined models, you can also cook food, but the location of such surfaces is rather inconvenient.

What to choose?

After a detailed acquaintance with all the features, advantages and disadvantages of each device, you can make the right choice guaranteed.

Criterias of choice:

• Decide on the main functionality and purpose. What exactly will you need it for (decoration, heating, cooking);
• For heating, classic stove units or fireplaces with completely closed combustion chambers are perfect;
• For cooking, a functional oven with a hob is suitable;
• The decorative function is perfectly performed by classic fireplaces with an open firebox;
• Much depends on the stage of construction of the house. If it is under construction, you can choose any model and type of device;
• Furnaces are installed taking into account the construction of an additional foundation and the design takes place at the construction stage;
• If the house is already ready and renovated, it is preferable to buy a fireplace;
• Pay attention to fire safety. This applies both to sealing the internal space of the unit and to the chimney.

It is impossible to give an exact answer, which is better than a stove or a fireplace. Each device has its own positive and negative properties, characteristics. First of all, when choosing, it is necessary to focus on the individual characteristics of the room and the compliance of the model with the presented requirements on your part.

When decorating a room with a heating device, the question of choosing a stove or fireplace can cause a lot of controversy. After all, the design must flawlessly fulfill its main purpose - to be safe and comfortable in operation. Not the last place in determining what is better than a stove or a fireplace is the appearance. Aesthetic properties and the ability to blend harmoniously with the overall interior are important selection options for the modern user.

What is the difference between a stove and a fireplace?

What is better, a stove or a fireplace? First you need to clearly define what these devices are, and what are their significant differences. Already in the definitions lies the approximate direction of the choice of a particular design.

A heating stove is a device that, when fuel is burned, accumulates heat in itself, with its subsequent slow and long-term distribution in the room.

In the manufacture of heating furnaces, heat-intensive materials are used, such as thick-walled steel or cast iron. Possessing thermal inertia, they are able to accumulate more heat in themselves. Subsequently, the energy collected from the flame heats the air in the room. A feature of such structures is that when heat is transferred, the walls of the furnaces do not cool immediately. Due to this, a smooth increase in air temperature is achieved and its comfortable level is maintained for a long time. Some models of furnaces are lined with ceramics.

They do this for two reasons:

• To enhance the design: stoves with ceramic tiles look spectacular;
• To increase the efficiency of heating: ceramic tiles increase the heat capacity, contribute to better and longer heating of the room.

Furnaces with ceramic lining are characterized by even greater thermal inertia. Such structures give off heat after the attenuation of the hearth much longer.

Fireplaces are decorative ventilation devices that distribute heat energy locally and over a short distance.

One of the main functions of the fireplace is to provide a view of the hearth. When designing a fireplace, more attention is paid to design, an increase in the size of the portal. Such structures are rarely made of thick-walled materials. Therefore, fireplaces are not able to provide the process of long-term heat transfer to the room equally with the stove. Heating by such devices is carried out during the combustion of fuel. After extinguishing the hearth, heat transfer stops, and the room begins to cool.

For what purposes do we choose a heating device?

The main difference between stoves and fireplaces dictates the choice of their scope. Since the devices, one way or another, are intended for heating, when choosing, you need to decide how often you want to operate the structure.

Heating furnaces are calculated on long and constant burning. Such devices can be used not only as an additional, but also the main source of heat. On sale there are furnaces of long burning and high power. They provide many hours of operation of the device from a single load. Such models are best suited for installation in homes with permanent residence. For occasional use in dachas, country and private houses, you can choose stoves without a long-burning function

Most heating furnaces are highly efficient devices that provide fuel efficiency (EFFICIENCY) up to 70 - 80%

Fireplaces are mainly chosen for occasional use. Most models are not designed for efficient heating. Therefore, fireplaces will be an excellent addition to housing with an existing heating system. They are chosen for a country house or cottage with a periodic visit. It is always a pleasure to spend an evening around such a device.

What area are stoves and fireplaces designed for?

The power parameter of a heater affects its ability to heat a specific area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room. An approximate calculation is 1 kW of the device per 1 m2 of room. This characteristic is mandatory for both stoves and fireplaces.

The heating capacity of fireplaces is usually small. Depending on the design of the furnace, chimney and model, such devices are designed for heating up to 40 - 80m2. For heating a large house, it may be more rational to opt for stoves. These devices can have heating power up to 22 - 25 kW. Such values ​​​​are quite enough for high-quality heating of a house of 250 m2.

Recently, fireplace stoves have become very popular. Such hybrid devices combine the properties of both designs: good power, decorative and elegant appearance, excellent view of the hearth.

Fireplace stoves are a good compromise in deciding which is better. The device combines the necessary qualities of both a fireplace and a stove.

The choice of a fireplace or stove should be based on practicality and functionality, the size of the room and the frequency of use of the appliance. That is why an unequivocal answer to the question: “What is better than stoves or fireplaces?” Can only be given by everyone for himself. After all, for some users it is important to enjoy the burning of a living fire. Others choose a full-fledged heating device.

With all the abundance of heating devices, none of them has such an attractive force as fire. What to keep in mind when choosing a hearth for a summer residence and a country house?

FIREPLACE

A real fireplace will certainly decorate any country house. In addition, it is able to heat up the room very quickly. But usually not for long. Therefore, it will not replace full heating for you. When choosing a specific fireplace model, it is first of all important to understand what the main purpose of its installation is.

You want it to give warmth. Choose a fireplace with a closed type firebox, and it is better if it is designed for frequent use. Fireboxes of this type have self-cleaning refractory glass and high efficiency (which will allow you to save firewood).

The purpose is mainly decorative. Such fireplaces are also called interior. Of course, a traditional open firebox (i.e. without glass) looks more effective.

But keep in mind that open flames require constant supervision. Screens and gratings, of course, protect against a "shot" coal or a log thrown ineptly by a child's hand, but it is impossible to give a full guarantee. There are other nuances. The speed of burning wood in an open fireplace is practically not regulated, it cannot be set to “slow” burning, so if you are determined to keep the flames playing vigorously throughout the evening, you will need to stock up on a solid amount of dry firewood.

Fireplace BBQ. Such fireplaces are usually open. And more often they are designed for outdoor installation (they are called outdoor fireplaces-grills). If you are going to cook kebabs in a conventional fireplace, remember the upcoming thorough cleaning of the cavity of the firebox and lining elements from the consequences of your cooking and be sure: if the firebox is with glass, it will also suffer from splashes.

IMPORTANT

The fireplace must not be placed in the path of possible drafts. But at the same time, it needs access to oxygen to maintain combustion. Therefore, it is better if the room with a fireplace is at least 20 meters.

The wall where the fireplace is installed must be made of fireproof materials, and communications must not pass through it. If the wall is external, it is thermally insulated using basalt wool covered with foil.

The weight of the fireplace assembly can be very large, so the floor under it must have sufficient strength with a mandatory concrete screed. If you put a fireplace in a wooden panel house (where the floors are also made of wood) and it is in contact with the wall, then you cannot make a separate foundation for the fireplace, because with separate movements of the foundations of the fireplace and the house, the displacement of the wall can cause the destruction of the fireplace itself. In this case, the wooden floor is reinforced with an iron profile.

BAKE

If you don’t have any other heating in the country, you can’t do without a stove. Its main difference from the fireplace is that the stove, although it heats up for a long time, retains heat for a long time.

Putting together a real stone oven is a difficult and responsible business, and you still need to find good craftsmen. It is much more convenient and easier to purchase her younger sister - a household metal stove.

When choosing a model, consider the basic requirements for the furnace:

1. Efficiency of at least 75 - 85% (look at the instructions) - otherwise go broke on firewood;

2. fire safety (see relevant certificate).

Also make sure that you can fit the selected model into the right room, taking into account the recommended chimney parameters and the distance to the wall.

IMPORTANT

The floor under the stove must not collapse. This means that it is necessary to prepare a foundation or concrete floors of sufficient strength, and a chimney - according to the rules and in accordance with the requirements of a particular selected firebox.

The stove should be in the center of the house. In a house with a veranda, it is installed so that it faces the veranda, and the back and side walls are located between the internal partitions.

What is a fireplace stove

This, as the name implies, is a cross between a household metal stove and a fireplace with a closed firebox. This design allows you to combine the advantages of the stove (keeps heat well) and the fireplace (quickly heats the room). And if you choose the appropriate lining, it will not be inferior to the fireplace and in beauty.

THIS WILL BE USEFUL

The hearth is in the apartment!

You are unlikely to be able to install even the simplest fireplace or stove in a high-rise building (although it is allowed to put stoves or fireplaces on the top floor of a building, you will have to go through many bureaucratic barriers to get this permission). But there is a way out: install an electric stove or fireplace. They are environmentally friendly, hygienic, safe, and their performance can be easily adjusted using the built-in or remote control panel. In addition, they can be turned off at any moment, the intensity of the "flame" can be set according to mood, and the degree of heating - according to the level of comfort. True, such electric furnaces / fireplaces have two significant drawbacks: high electricity consumption and low efficiency.

HOME NOTEBOOK

How to fire up the stove

1. Check that the valve on the pipe is open and the cleaning channels are closed.

2. Check the ash pan. There should not be too much ash (about an hour and a half after each firebox, it is necessary to rake and throw away the cooled ashes and ashes, because if this is not done, corrosion will eat through metal, stone and brick).

3. Do not open windows and doors during kindling. And if the stove has not been heated for a long time, burn a few crumpled newspapers at the entrance to the chimney - this will “break through” the cold air at the entrance to the chimney.

4. Use only dry firewood. It is better to heat a fireplace with hardwood. Conifers shoot sparks and coals. Take thinner and drier logs, and fill the firebox no more than a quarter of the volume.

5. In the firebox, lay out the first row of firewood across, the rest - along, or you can lean them vertically against the far wall of the firebox. In fireplaces with an oven, wood can only be laid horizontally. Logs should not be pressed tightly against each other, otherwise the fire may "suffocate".

6. Carefully place birch bark or crumpled newspaper in the gap between the firewood, set it on fire and do not forget to close the doors and open the blower so that there is an optimal amount of air and good draft in the firebox.

7. Firewood must burn with full fire. Lay new ones only after the previous bookmark burns out more than half.

8. Avoid heating the oven too much. Listen to the fire and watch it - this will help to understand it.

9. Twice a year, be sure to clean the chimney from soot, soot and tar, which can cause a fire.

10. And, of course, do not leave a burning hearth unattended for a long time.

WHAT HOW MUCH

The price of a fireplace very much depends on the material from which it is made. Therefore, in each specific case, it is individual (on average, from 30 to 700 thousand rubles).

You can order to lay down a stone / brick fireplace or buy a ready-made fireplace (both open and closed), or you can just buy a facing (portal) of the fireplace, where you can then insert a wood-burning (open or closed type) or electric firebox.

A fireplace cladding kit usually includes:

Passport products;

Assembly drawing;

installation instructions.

Wood burning inserts for fireplaces (steel, cast iron):

imported - 30 - 160 thousand rubles.

domestic - 15 - 30 thousand rubles.

Electric inserts for fireplaces:

1.5 - 30 thousand rubles.

Fireplace covers (depending on material and order):

imported - 40 - 400 thousand rubles.

domestic - 18 - 35 thousand rubles.

Fireplace stoves (cast iron, steel):

imported - 50 - 200 thousand rubles.

domestic - 10 - 35 thousand rubles.

from faience with a cast-iron firebox - 120 - 200 thousand rubles.

Metal furnaces:

imported - 8 - 30 thousand rubles. (mostly Canadian)

domestic - 8 - 13 thousand rubles. (cast iron - 3 - 6 thousand rubles)

Potbelly stoves:

imported - 25 - 110 thousand rubles. (cast iron, steel, fireclay)

domestic - 3 - 10 thousand rubles. (cast iron)

A wood stove or fireplace is a long-term investment. Therefore, determine in advance the appropriate model and its location. The heater is selected depending on the size of the area to be heated (). Will it be one room or the whole house? When choosing the power of the heater, consider the design features of the house, the materials used for its construction and insulation, and the climatic features of the area. It is advisable to consult with an experienced specialist in advance. Here are some general tips.

1. Consider air circulation.

For effective heating of the room, take into account the air circulation: warm air rises, and cold air descends.

Therefore, when choosing a stove or fireplace, consider their placement. You may need to purchase a ceiling fan or other appliances. If the fireplace is located on the ground floor, and the second floor is also planned to be heated, you need to see how warm air will be supplied there. The first option is free circulation. But then the heating will be uneven: in distant rooms it is colder and they warm up longer. And if the premises are isolated (the door is closed) - they will not warm up at all, or the warming up will be very long. The second option is to separate the sleeves with warm air, when warm air flows from the heater through the duct and enters the room through the ventilation grill. Here you need to consider how long you need to pull the sleeves - for a long length, you may need a special fan.

2. Use the full amount of heat.

A wood-burning stove emits infrared rays around itself as it heats up evenly. To maximize this heat, position the stove in the middle of the room. In practice, the following types of oven location in the room are used:

• Location in the center of the room. Heat is dissipated 360 degrees around the oven. Around there are no obstacles for the spread of heat. This is the most advantageous arrangement of the furnace.
• Wall location. With this installation option, heat is dissipated by 180 degrees. The space in front of the oven remains free. This method is the most common.
• Corner location. Used when you need to save space. This arrangement gives only 90 degrees from the heating sphere. For

3. If you plan to cook on the stove - take care of the ease of use.

Often a wood-burning stove is placed in the living room, as usually the kitchen, dining room and living room are connected and located next to each other.

4. Remember the basic safety rules.

Be sure to consider fire safety requirements when planning the placement of the heater. Take the utmost care of the safety of your living quarters. Organize the protection of objects that are unstable to fire.

5. Consider where and how the chimney will go.

The issue is especially relevant if there are residential premises above the heater (second floor, third floor, attic, etc.)