A fireplace in the country is a necessary and multifunctional hearth, perhaps one of the main elements of a place to relax. What is the best way to arrange a platform for a street hearth, a place for a bonfire? The play of fire, the crackling of firewood, the dancing flames of the fire, the sparks flying into the sky - who does not like to pass the evening like this ... After all, every summer resident seeks to make his plot or house territory cozy and beautiful. And it doesn’t matter how many hundredths of the land he owns or what size his house is - everyone strives for comfort.
It is difficult to argue that the fire not only warms, but also creates a special atmosphere, pacifies. At such a country hearth it is pleasant to gather in the evening with friends and relatives, prepare a barbecue or bake fragrant potatoes. It is also indispensable for standard summer cottages, whether it is the disposal of sawn branches, weeds or foliage with the onset of autumn. Be that as it may, a fireplace in the country is really necessary, so we will consider options for its arrangement and the opportunity to build it yourself with our own hands.
Country hearth, photo:
What is a fireplace?
In accessible words - this is a hole in the ground, lined with stone or refractory bricks. In fact, it can be made of anything, the essence is the same - a recess with walls so that the fire has the opportunity to flare up and not die out from gusts of wind. A similar construction can be of an elevated type, it all depends on the design and approach to business, but the design of the hearth itself will remain the same. A bonfire (or bonfire) can be not only round or square. Its form can be any - if only it fits the general situation of the territory. However, as practice shows, it is the round shape of such a hearth that is the most convenient to maintain and use.
A fireplace in landscape design is an interesting and practical design move that helps not only to ennoble the territory, but also to permanently solve the problem of waste disposal, mainly plant waste.
One of the main aspects in this matter is the correct choice of location and compliance with fire safety standards. The smoke from the fire should not interfere with the neighbors, so it is better to place the hearth away from the dividing fence. The distance from the house, shed or cellar should be at least 3.5 meters. And, of course, trees or bushes should not grow in the immediate vicinity of the fire. At least 4 meters should separate the hearth from the green spaces. Also make sure that the selected location is calm. In order to achieve maximum comfort, it is recommended that a company with bonfire equip a site with an appropriate coating (gravel, pebbles, decorative tiles, etc.) and convenient benches. Seats can be stationary, also in this place you can install comfortable garden furniture, which will bring even more comfort to the surroundings.
Do-it-yourself fireplace in the country
It is not as difficult as it may seem. Even a novice can handle this task. You can generally go the simplest way and make your own home a hearth from an iron barrel. It will take you one day to do this work, and you can use the bonfire the next evening. You will need a bayonet shovel, a hammer, a trowel, a container for mixing the mortar, stone or brick, cement, sand, gravel, water. Important: do not dig too deep into the ground, so that subsequently the fire burns normally, it needs an air flow!
Campfire in the country, photo:
Steps for arranging a bonfire site
- The surface of the soil is leveled and carefully compacted. Very often for this you have to remove a layer of earth (about 30 cm).
- A depression is dug in the ground, according to the size and shape of the barrel.
- At the barrel, the upper part and the bottom are cut off (to make a metal ring), after which it is installed in the prepared hole.
- Crushed stone, pebbles or gravel are poured at the bottom, about 20 cm thick.
- The distance between the sides of the barrel and the edges of the pit is also covered with gravel.
- Concrete can be poured on top of the gravel, and the earth around it can be laid out with decorative stone, pebbles or paving slabs.
If such a bonfire is located on a small elevation, then the protruding part can be beautifully lined with refractory bricks. In this case, you can use a standard cement mortar or purchase in the construction department a ready-made furnace mixture for laying brick or stone.
A brick fireplace is arranged according to a similar pattern:
- The place is prepared: the top layer of soil is removed (about 20-30 cm), the entire working area is rammed.
- A pit is digging, the depth of which is 50-60 cm.
- The sides of the pit are laid out with bricks, they are laid vertically. For denser shrinkage, do not forget to tap each brick with a hammer.
- Coarse gravel or crushed stone of a large fraction is poured into the bottom of the depression, about 20 cm thick.
- The gaps between the bricks can be filled with refractory clay (fireclay).
- The framing of the fireplace can be laid out with a similar brick or other suitable material.
As for the design of the site near the fireplace, this is done not only for beauty, comfort and to prevent the earth from eroding by rains. A spark or a coal can fly out of the fire in order to prevent accidental fire, it is better if the place near the hearth is protected by tile or stone.
A fire place made of stone is made according to the same principle as a hearth made of brick, only materials are replaced and "norms" are observed: tamping the earth, the depth of the pit, refractory mixtures for masonry, a crushed stone pillow to the bottom, and the presence of a blind area.
Furniture or benches should be placed at least one meter from the source of fire. Concrete blocks can also be used as a building material, they are very convenient in operation, quickly stacked, serve for a long time, are durable and look quite appropriate in this design. Granite cobblestone is also an excellent solution for a country hearth, and the ground laid out by it will look thoroughly, expensive and stylish.
If desired, a removable grill can be installed on such a hearth, on which it will be convenient to put a cauldron or lay skewers with barbecue. You can also order a large bonnet for the fireplace so that rain or snow does not get inside. There are a lot of options for erecting a place for a bonfire, ranging from practical, budgetary modifications to sophisticated, expensive design solutions.
Whatever fireplace in the country you choose, it must be safe in the first place, then it will bring only positive emotions to you and your loved ones.