Campfire site at the cottage. Open hearth. Options for building a hearth in a summer cottage

The need for an open hearth in the country is undeniable. Such a detail will decorate your site, you can also spend evenings behind such a structure and cook food. It's so nice to sit by the open fireplace with friends and family members. Drinking tea or telling some incredible stories, thanks to this pastime, your mood rises and you get a lot of positive emotions.

Laying the hearth of stones

The easiest way to get a beautiful front lawn

Of course, you have seen the perfect lawn in the movies, on the alley, and perhaps on the neighbor's lawn. Those who have ever tried to grow a green area in their area will no doubt say that this is a huge job. The lawn requires careful planting, care, fertilization, watering. However, only inexperienced gardeners think so, professionals have long known about the innovative tool - liquid turf AquaGrazz.

But, having built a fireplace in your country house, you must, first of all, remember about security measures. If you decide to build such a hearth with your own hands, then it should be located as far as possible from various combustible structures: buildings, residential buildings, planting trees, and shrubs. When using a fireplace during the wind, there is a possibility of ignition even at home, which is located at a great distance, in this case, special protective screens should be used.

Hearth on the street

It is quite easy to build fireplaces yourself in a very short time, while this process will take you a maximum of your weekend. For its construction, you can use almost any materials:

• boulder
• brick,
• concrete blocks and so on.

An open fireplace, as in the photo, is easy to build, and for this you only need a cinder block brick or an ordinary brick. The walls of the hearth are best made from wider and larger brick sizes; the strength of the walls depends on this important point.

The number of bricks that you will need to build such an important building with your own hands as a fireplace with your own hands on your site will depend on what kind of hearth you want to build in size, how thick the material will be, on the number of rows when building a wall. An open fireplace in the house should be built from the preparation of the foundation for the future construction in your country house; a fire should not be made on the soil, since it will be very difficult to remove coals or firewood from its surface. In this case, you can simply lay an ordinary thick iron sheet, but its dimensions must be larger than the dimensions of the circle of this structure.

Next, we proceed to the preparation of the base of the hearth, for this we fill it with mortar, you can also use concrete, then we begin to lay out the bricks. But also take into account the dimensions of the fireplace before building, it is better to choose an average size, because in the future you will kindle a fire in it.

open hearth

After choosing a place for a fireplace, you need to mark its territory on the ground and take measurements. During this process, you can also roughly calculate how much brick is useful for construction work. In most cases, the owners in their own home decide to use the hearth for cooking, like a grill. And to mark its contours and dimensions, a grill grate should be placed on the ground. The dimensions of the grill grate should be larger than the dimensions of the wall on the sides.

Brick laying without mortar

When the foundation, built by the hands of the owner in the country, is ready, you can start building walls. The first of the rows of bricks must be laid near the base of such a structure as a fireplace, in a circle, so that the ends touch each other. If bricks that have holes are used during construction, then it is better to build brick walls so that the holes are turned towards the ground or up. The brick wall should be monolithic both outside and inside.

After laying the first row, it is necessary to start laying the second layer. The second row must be laid on the first, and one should not forget about the joints of the bricks. Next, we lay the wall until it rises to the required height, which is convenient for application. In the end, our fireplace in the country house will turn out to be slightly uneven, for this it is necessary to knock out its walls in some places, and even out in some places, and the cracks should be covered with cement mortar. The last row of bricks must be laid on a special solution.

Fireplace wall laying

Option for laying brick walls on mortar

A hearth with your own hands can be built immediately on the solution. Brick laying works are carried out in the same way as in the above described version. The main difference is the need to lay more evenly and immediately begin to coat the seams. And at the end you will not need to knock out protruding elements.

The open hearth should be of such a height that it is comfortable for grilling food. If during the laying of such an important structure, you have extra bricks, then they can be used to build a ring around it to strengthen the structure, while strengthening the first row. A do-it-yourself fireplace with such a base will be much more stable and durable.

Many owners of country houses and home gardens are thinking about creating a beautiful recreation area with a hearth. The fireplace will warm, create comfort and even allow you to cook food on fire. Making a hearth for a fire in the country with your own hands is quite realistic. To do this, it is enough to have a distant idea of ​​\u200b\u200bconstruction and clearly adhere to a certain sequence of work.

Varieties of foci

The most widespread are the following types:

1. Hearth in a hole For the construction of such a hearth, it is necessary to make a recess in the ground. In order for the structure to be a solid wall, it is better to veneer with brick. It is recommended to lay it vertically, i.e. with the side wall to the fire. Keep in mind that bricks take up extra space. Therefore, the pit should be made wider by the size of the brick belt. Around the fire place can be lined with paving slabs. For these purposes, tiles with chipped edges are also suitable.
   

   

   

   

2. Brick street hearth
   
   To build a brick hearth, you will need refractory bricks and mortar. A brick brazier can be of any shape, but round hearths are the most popular. In the center of the structure, a fire grate is usually laid. For the construction of this option, it will also be necessary to dig a small hole.
3. Concrete
   
   Alternatively, the hearth on the street can be made of concrete. This will require formwork. You can make it from improvised materials, for example, boards, plywood, etc. It is necessary to dig a hole of a certain size, install formwork and pour concrete mixture. As soon as the concrete gains the necessary strength, the formwork is removed. As you know, concrete is not very presentable. To give aesthetics to the building will allow a simple cladding. Marble or granite tiles look great. Chipped stones and bricks are also excellent for cladding.
   

   

   

   

   

   

   

4. Hearth made of natural stone
   
   Most often, pure granite and marble are used to make hearths. The advantages of this option include a beautiful appearance and durability. A significant disadvantage is the high cost.

   

   

   

5. campfire table
   Alternatively, a stone countertop can be laid on top of a brick or concrete hearth. This design is called a campfire table. A hole is made in the central part of the tabletop for the fire. Such an impromptu table with a barbecue is convenient for gatherings with family or friends.

   

   

   

6. Outdoor hearth made of reinforced concrete products
   If there is no opportunity or desire to mess around with concrete and masonry work, you can use a ready-made reinforced concrete flowerpot or flowerpot for a summer cottage. You can buy such products at a hardware store that specializes in the sale of reinforced concrete products. The finished product can be dug into the ground or simply installed on the surface. The advantage of this option is mobility, because if necessary, a garden hearth from a flowerpot can be easily transferred to another place.
   
   Round outdoor hearths can be made from well rings or rounded borders. For the construction of this option, it is necessary to purchase two rings for wells of different diameters. It is best to lay reinforced concrete products on a concrete platform. In this way, structural strength can be ensured. The rings are fixed on a concrete platform with a solution. First, install a ring of a larger diameter. After that, a ring with a smaller diameter is installed inside. In this case, it is necessary to achieve an equal distance between the walls of the products. As a result, voids are obtained between the rings, which are filled with concrete mix, stones and cobblestones. If desired, the outer wall can be painted.
   

   For reference: the diameter of reinforced concrete rings varies from 0.7 to 2 meters, and their height is 0.1–1 meter.

7. Metal garden hearth
   You can make a simple metal hearth yourself, it is very similar to the usual barbecue. Forged fire bowls look a little more complicated and aesthetically pleasing. But there are more sophisticated designs - a fireball. This is a kind of outdoor fireplace with a barbecue function, made in the form of a sphere.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

When choosing the location of the fireplace, you must be guided by the following rules:

• an open hearth should be located away from buildings;
• when choosing a place, it is recommended to take into account the wind rose (this is necessary so that the smoke from the fire does not enter the living quarters);
• there should not be dry vegetation near the fire;
• in the country, an open hearth should be located away from the branches of trees and bushes;
• the barbecue bowl must be placed in such a place that the distance from it to vegetation, fences and various buildings is at least 1.5 meters;
• the depth of the pit for the fire should be at least 0.4 meters;
• it is desirable that the diameter of the focus be within 1–1.5 meters;
• the pit must be lined with stone or refractory bricks;
• it is not advisable to build a fireplace in the lowlands and on the hills, the most suitable for such a structure is flat terrain.

A simple do-it-yourself stone hearth

For those who are interested in how to make a hearth in the country with their own hands, one of the simplest options for arranging a campfire site is offered. Below is a detailed instruction for manufacturing with a photo.

To work, you will need the following materials and tools:

• shovel;
• roulette;
• pegs;
• twine or fishing line;
• concrete mixture;
• stones of various shapes and sizes.

Preparatory stage

It is necessary to start the construction of a summer cottage by drawing up drawings or diagrams, with which you can determine the required amount of building materials. Before starting work, you need to decide on the location of the future focus. It is recommended that special attention be paid to fire safety.

After a suitable place is chosen, you can start marking. In this case, it is necessary to be guided by a pre-compiled diagram or drawing. To perform this type of work, you need a tape measure, pegs, a plumb line, fishing line or twine.

Tip: for marking, many builders recommend using a fishing line, because, unlike twine, it does not sag or get wet.

Earthworks and concrete works

After the markup is completed, you can start earthworks. At this stage, it is necessary to dig a hole, the approximate depth of which will be 0.5–0.6 m. The size and shape of the hole can be arbitrary.

Next, start mixing the concrete mixture. Fine crushed stone can be used as a filler. The approximate composition of the concrete mixture is as follows: for 45 kg of sand, you need to take 15 kg of cement and 30 kg of crushed stone. Also, for the foundation device, you can purchase a ready-made concrete mix, for example, grade M100.

The resulting mixture is poured into the bottom of the pit. The result should be a concrete base, the minimum thickness of which is 10 cm. While the concrete has not yet hardened, it is recommended to make through holes in it through which rainwater will go into the ground. Also, these holes can be used to install various structures on which meat and vegetables are fried.

The choice of stones for the fire pit and their laying

Stones are necessary for the device of the barbecue bowl. Usually they are laid parallel to each other. Concrete mortar is used to fix stones.

To equip the hearth, as in the photo, you can use flat stones of various sizes, the thickness of which is 5–10 cm. The texture of the stones may be different. There are no clear selection criteria. So you can safely rely on your taste.

Tip: almost all stones are suitable for building a fire pit, except for limestones and porous shells.

backfilling

After the stones have been installed, and the concrete has gained its strength, you can proceed to backfill the sinuses that have formed between the pit and the outer walls of the hearth. For these purposes, excavated soil is usually used.

Backfilling must be done in such a way that there is space for a concrete blind area 0.1–0.15 m thick to the ground level. To do this, it is necessary to lay concrete around the hearth and drown large flat stones in it.

The simplest outdoor hearth, made with soul and imagination, will become a wonderful decoration for a personal plot, as well as a favorite vacation spot for the whole family.

Campfires from improvised materials

An old rim from a tractor or truck can also serve as the basis for a fire pit. You must first cut out the middle, and the further construction process is shown in step-by-step photographs.

The following video will help you build a simple barbecue grill from an old iron barrel.

The hearth needs constant care. Moreover, it is recommended to do this after each use. In order to maintain it in a presentable form, you need:

• regularly remove ashes and coals;
• remove the grate if the hearth is not in use;
• close the brazier with a protective lid to prevent debris and precipitation from getting inside the bowl.

Campfire ideas

As you can see, making a fireplace in the country with your own hands is not at all difficult and does not require large financial and time costs. Caring for a fire pit is quite simple. And the result from the appearance of the focus on the site will exceed all expectations. It will be pleasant to spend time here both on a summer evening and bask by the flame in the cold season.

If you look at the cottage as a model of an ideal world, then there should be 4 elements on the site, without which the universe is unthinkable. These are air, earth, water and, of course, fire.
If you, as the owner of the site, want to enjoy all the benefits of country life, then the hearth near the house is a must.

A well-designed summer cottage can be a great alternative to a barbecue, barbecue or smokehouse, as well as a home fireplace.

Types of outdoor hearths

open fireplace- the simplest type of outdoor hearth. In appearance, this is a flat, stone-lined "nest" in which a fire is lit.

Closed fire pit- with high sides, in the form of a well, a Russian stove, a fireplace or even an oriental tandoor.

Buried fire pit- involves a special recess below the level of the site.

They are chosen in the case when it is not possible to equip a separate fireplace area.

In addition, the hearth can be solid fuel or gas.

Fireplace on gas. As an internal filler of gas outdoor hearths, the following are most often used: chopped natural stone, gravel, colored glass, ceramic imitation of firewood.

The design of the hearth is a matter of taste and preference. There are both simple, universal models, and very original, even bizarre, author's, existing in a single copy.

The most common type of hearth is a metal bowl or a hollow, patterned sphere with "legs" that can be moved from place to place.

Fireplaces, however, are not only made of metal. But also from stone, heat-resistant bricks, cement with special additives, reinforced concrete rings, curbs and paving slabs.

In most cases, the fireplace is given a round, less often square shape, but this, of course, is not a dogma.

Pros and cons of popular models

The safest is the buried type of hearth. In addition, it is not difficult to make it using improvised materials.

Portable metal fireplaces, made of fairly thick metal, captivate with their practicality, as well as the fact that they fit into the landscape style and suit any exterior. After all, they can be both laconic and with intricate details, openwork walls. It is better for owners of a small plot to purchase just such a non-bulky and mobile fire pit. In any case, then you will not have to regret choosing a place, since it will be easy to change it.
The advantages of factory portable structures are also that they are usually equipped with lids, equipped with barbecue grills or skewers.

A modification of the iron hearth that is popular today is a container built into the table.

It is made more often of stainless steel and looks not like ordinary utensils, but a spectacular piece of garden furniture. Naturally, such a bowl serves somewhat less than more durable, stationary counterparts. But replacing it will not be difficult.

Choosing a place for a fire

Fire on the site is comfort, color and aesthetics ... But the main criterion that must be followed when choosing a place for a fire on the site is safety.

The plot of land where the bonfire is located must, first of all, comply with fire safety requirements, namely:

• Optimal distance from residential premises. Open hearths, barbecues, stoves should be located 3-3.5 meters from residential and outbuildings. Especially if fertilizers, gas cylinders, household chemicals are stored in the latter. Proximity with a wooden bath is also not the best idea.
• The distance between the fireplace and fire hazardous vegetation (trees, bushes) must be at least 4 meters.
• It is impossible to locate the hearth close to the boundary separating the site from other people's possessions or streets. Smoke should not interfere with neighbors or passers-by.

In a modern, minimalist and functional design, the hearth is increasingly located near the reservoir and even "introduced" into it, making it part of the pool wall.

Setting up a campfire site

The hearth in the garden is not an ordinary cooking device, but the “heart” of the recreation area, around which households and guests gather, celebrate holidays, sing or dream, fascinated by watching the flames play.
It follows that garden furniture should be part of a common composition with the hearth, an integral plot.

The site where it was decided to mount the bonfire must first be leveled and prepared. Then it is laid out with paving stones, fireclay bricks or refractory tiles - paving that will prevent the spread of fire.

To make the fireplace area not only comfortable and safe, but also look catchy and elegant, you can use pebbles or multi-colored gravel for paving.
Alternating concrete slabs of various shapes, tiles, rubble, laying out patterns from them, it is easy to create a charming corner for gatherings.

Separately and sincerely look "drowned" areas with fire. Such a terrace, having previously removed a small part of the soil, is located slightly below the level of the site.

If the fireplace is rounded, then a long, semicircular bench will make the most natural, harmonious union with it. And garden chairs and sun loungers placed on the opposite side will help to close the ring around the fire.

Fireplace and design

Live fire is an adornment of any site, but, of course, the type and model of the hearth must match the style of the house and landscape.

A metal, concrete fire pit in the form of a bowl, sphere, cone or glass will suit any typical building with a modern exterior.

Sometimes a hearth of a traditional type is combined with a stone fence, imitating, with the help of textured masonry, the outlines of a fireplace.

A fire pit made of minimally processed cobblestones, laid out with deliberate negligence, will be a good decor for a plot in style. Instead of armchairs, picturesque boulders, stumps and logs are located around such an emphatically natural, eco-friendly fire pit.

A rough open stone hearth with massive wooden furniture around is the perfect addition to and to.

With a Scandinavian-style house, a round or square fireplace made of stone, brick, and slabs is combined. In this case, the main thing is the conciseness of the object, the clarity of its lines. Hearths in Scandinavian areas are often combined with a table or bench, as well as shelves for firewood, which is consistent with the ideas of minimalism.

For techno, loft, high-tech styles, designers recommend gas fires decorated with smooth, polished concrete. They can be either flush with the platform or of a modular, protruding type. The same styles are characterized by integrated fireplaces - built into a retaining wall, a semicircular bench or into the side of the pool.

Gas fires, by the way, are interesting in that the filler used to fill containers with burners can be an independent decorative element.
It is enough to collect stones of various shapes and shades or find colored glass.
And if the site with a gas fire is provided with artificial, luminous stones, you will get a magnificent space in the style of modern modernity.

To top it off, decorate the garden furniture located near the hearth with appropriate textile details. For example, multi-colored pillows and fluffy blankets will look cute and touching on brutal wooden benches in a homely way. And for a site in an industrial spirit, small rugs or mats made of artificial fiber are suitable.

A beautiful cottage is the dream of every summer resident. For a resident of a modern metropolis, a dacha is almost the last refuge of nature and an opportunity to bring their creative impulses and fantasies to life. Everyone wants their site to be unique and comfortable, so that the eye rejoices in their favorite beds and flower beds, and the neighbors look with envy and delight.

Of course, you can hire a landscape designer, but it’s much more interesting and enjoyable to make a beautiful cottage. Each of us has a craving for creativity, which we are far from always able to realize, so why lose the unique opportunity to express ourselves and do everything in our area the way we ourselves want. Let everything in your country house be the way you want it to be. Photos of beautiful dachas on our website will help you generate new ideas in dacha design.

How to make beautiful in the country? The main advantage of any dacha and its own decoration are. It is important to plant plants correctly, because in a large area they will be visible from all sides and your mistakes will be much more noticeable. Water, air, heat and light are the main factors on which the development and growth of plants depends. They are closely related and do not replace each other. Therefore, in order to make the cottage beautiful, it is necessary to create appropriate conditions for the plants. Indoor plants with poor lighting need a low temperature. It is better to plant more unpretentious plants of the same species than to try to grow exotic but capricious species. How to make a cottage beautiful

Shrubs are less demanding to care for, so they are perfect for decorating your summer cottage. An excellent decoration of your site can be a pond, which, if necessary, can be used for irrigation, because the water in the pond warms up perfectly in the sun. Looks great in the country forest corner. Shady space will give you a lot of joy on hot summer days. How to make beautiful in the country

When creating a beautiful cottage with your own hands, do not forget to choose plants suitable for your site. Moisture-loving plants planted in dry soil can wilt and die. Most plants do not like excess moisture as well as its lack. With very strong and frequent watering, the root system of plants begins to suffer due to the lack of oxygen, as a result of which it weakens, the plant becomes ill and, soon, dies. Therefore, soils that can retain water after watering or rain are not used for growing flowers or they create special soil drainage.

For the garden, it is necessary to prepare a sunny area and special attention should be paid to paving, do not use recycled materials. This will be especially important if your garden is viewed from the second floor, you risk spoiling the view from the window for yourself and your neighbors. Smooth and beautiful paths will allow you to personally feel the spring and autumn. It is during this period that they will be responsible for the attractiveness of your dacha.

Each summer resident in spring and autumn must cut trees, remove wilted leaves, damaged plants. As a rule, all this garbage is burned in random places, arranging fires that are unsafe for both the summer resident and those around him. In order to properly dispose of the accumulated rubbish, it is advisable to equip a separate place for making a fire.

The dacha hearth performs both a practical and a decorative function. On the one hand, it will help get rid of garbage, on the other hand, it will decorate the site and become a necessary element that adds a touch of harmony to the surrounding landscape.

Varieties of foci

Country fireplaces are of open, deep and closed type. You can buy them ready-made or make your own. Specialized companies offer models that run on solid fuel or gas, and also install a hearth in a summer cottage, connect to a gas main, if necessary.

It is much more interesting to equip a fire pit with your own hands. It is not difficult to create a unique design and decorate a summer cottage with a fire flame if you follow a few simple rules.

Choosing and preparing a place

First of all, the site for the fire must comply with fire regulations. The future hearth is installed at a distance of at least 4 meters from trees and shrubs. They retreat from residential buildings and outbuildings by 3-3.5 meters.

Do not place a flame zone directly near the fences dividing the land, as the smoke from the fire will cause inconvenience to neighbors. Do not install the future hearth on hills, on the windward side. And even more so, do not equip a place for an open fire near a warehouse of combustible substances, gas cylinders and household chemicals.

Fireplace and recreation area

The outdoor hearth should harmoniously fit into the design of the site, emphasizing the beauty and thoughtfulness of the country landscape. As a rule, near the fire there is a place for relaxation - a small area paved with refractory bricks, paving slabs or stone. This site has two functions:

• does not allow fire to spread due to an accidental spark;
• serves as an ideal vacation spot for the whole family.

The area allocated for the fire should be prepared - cut off the top layer of soil to a depth of 30 cm, level and tamp the area.

Arrangement of the hearth

The center of the resulting site is intended for live fire. With it, the arrangement of a place for a flame begins.

1. Dig a hole up to half a meter deep. The larger the diameter of the future hearth, the deeper the bonfire should be installed.
2. The sides of the recess are sealed with refractory bricks, and the bottom is sprinkled with large gravel.
3. Stones, paving slabs or refractory bricks are placed on the prepared soil around the hearth.
4. A little aside they prepare a place for firewood, brushwood, coal.

Do not forget about fire-fighting devices and fixtures. Keep a bucket of sand and a poker near the fire, if the place for an open fire turned out to be large, get a fire extinguisher.

Barrel fire pit

One of the most economical ways to set up a flame zone in a suburban area is to use an old metal barrel as a primitive hearth. To do this, prepare the site as described above. The bottom of a metal barrel is cut off and placed in a designated place. Gravel is poured inside (layer thickness of at least 10 cm). The space between the outer walls of the barrel and the inner boundaries of the pit is also filled with gravel.

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If you choose a fire pit of a deep type, a bevel is made around the barrel to the inside of the hearth. The backfill material is gravel or pebbles. After that, the bevels are tightly poured with concrete.

If the barrel serves as the basis for creating an open hearth, its outer walls are lined with refractory building material and fixed with concrete mortar. The finished hearth has approximately the same appearance as in the photo below.

Arrangement of a recreation area

Since one of the main functions of the summer cottage is decorative, try to make the place near the fire as comfortable and cozy as possible. As a rule, this territory is given the shape of a circle, therefore, when arranging the site, it is advisable to use outdoor furniture and decor items of appropriate shapes. For example, in the recreation area, you can install soft semicircular benches.

Place a small table near each seat - after all, the family is going not only to look at the flame, but also to have dinner or drink tea.

If the hearth is made in the shape of a square, do not be too lazy to choose the appropriate furniture. Include massive wooden chairs with well-defined corners in the design of the burning area.

The soothing greenery of living plants will help to emphasize the beauty of a bright flame. Perhaps a well-groomed lawn will serve as a frame for a fire.

If it is not possible to allocate space for a grass carpet, you can arrange a fire pit in a minimalist Japanese design. Several plants, skillfully planted near the hearth, will create the right mood and set the tone for the whole composition.

Don't forget that an open fire is also used to prepare delicious dishes - from baked potatoes, familiar from childhood, to gourmet treats baked on the grill or barbecue. To surprise guests with fragrant treats with a crispy crust, all you need is fireproof dishes or a grill grate. And for cooking simple homemade food, which is nice to enjoy in a narrow family circle, a pot on a tripod is suitable.

After finishing work, wait for the evening and light the first fire in the bonfire. The result will exceed your expectations!