Fireplace stucco can be increasingly found in modern homes. It serves as a good addition to the interior of a house or apartment. To figure out how to make a decoration using it, and what material to choose for this, you need to know what stucco is, how its parts are made, as well as its use for decorating fireplaces in various styles.
French stucco
Stucco molding and what it is
The concept of “stucco molding” includes parts or figures made with relief patterns. Such fragments can be produced in several ways, one of which involves pressing, and the second method involves casting. In one case or another, the resulting decorative details can be used both for external facades and for interior spaces.
It is produced both on an industrial scale and at home. The second option is more expensive, since you will have to additionally pay for the development of the sketch and production of the mold. On a production scale, standard parts are produced, so the price is quite affordable.
Installation and securing
If you decide to create a unique stucco pattern for your electric fireplace or stove, then first of all you need to take as a basis a few simple rules and recommendations.
At the first stage, determine the style and direction in which you want to move. Based on this, determine the dimensions and shape of each specific element. Make a detailed sketch, which will indicate the dimensions of the ornament.
In order for your decor to have the best possible adhesion to the surface of the fireplace, you will need to level the portal in the fixation area, if necessary, degrease it and clean it of various contaminants and dust.
To create stucco molding, you will need not only pre-created forms or blanks, but also a special tool with which you can finely work out each detail and remove the finished one from the mold.
For fixing, it is best to use fresh prepared cement-based mortar or adhesive for tiles and ceramics. It is important that the purchased composition has good fixing qualities, dries quickly and tolerates heat and high temperatures well. This is especially important if the stucco is applied to the surface of the portal of a wood-burning stove.
Also, as an alternative and even more reliable way to secure fairly heavy and voluminous decor, there are nails and self-tapping screws with which you can securely, quickly, simply and cost-effectively secure each element.
Choice of stucco
Element of stucco decoration made of polystyrene foam
The choice of decorative stucco molding for a fireplace is made based on the type of fuel that is used for it. Regarding this, there are two types of hearth design:
- Natural fireplace.
- Electric fireplace.
If the finishing material option is incorrectly determined, soot, carbon deposits or other traces of equipment use will appear on the finish. The main task when using decorative fragments is to harmoniously complement the main structure with the interior where it is located.
Based on the production technologies of gypsum portals, there are three main types:
- Profile. When the portal is decorated with various details of finishing material: pilasters, friezes, moldings.
- Sculptural. When the main role is played by the central part of the portal, decorated with various figures, atlases, frescoes, bas-reliefs or caryatids.
How to make stucco decor with your own hands
When creating plaster stucco molding for a fireplace portal, it is necessary to take into account some features, as well as the sequence of performing all stages of this process. Let's take a closer look at each step.
Choosing a shape or figure
Plaster mantel molding comes in a wide variety of shapes and styles, not limited to just floral patterns, angels, or athletes propping up a shelf. Using this plastic material, you can imitate various natural materials and “grow” any plant or tree on a vertical surface. The style, shape, and color scheme of a figure for facing a fireplace with stucco is limited only by the imagination of the master.
When choosing the appearance of the stucco decoration, it is necessary to take into account the size of the hearth, location and type of structure.
Solution for gypsum stucco molding
The simplest option for facing a hearth with stucco is to simply buy stucco for the fireplace. Modern workshops offer a wide selection of decorative elements. However, creating a handmade masterpiece is much more valuable, and the process is not difficult.
To prepare a liquid gypsum solution, you need to mix 1 kg of dry gypsum with 800 ml of water. For a medium-thick substance, it is recommended to mix 1.5 kg of gypsum powder in 1 liter of water. And if you need to mix a very thick mass, then add 2 kg of gypsum to 1 liter of water.
If it is necessary to form a large plaster figure, then the solution should be prepared in small portions. The excessively thick consistency of the solution makes it quite difficult to pour into the mold, and also does not fill fragments with thin relief.
Kinds
Options for decorative elements made of stucco Stucco can be made from various materials, natural or synthetic.
In addition, if desired, you can make parts in a shape reminiscent of natural stone. To better match the interior, the manufactured fragments can be painted in a suitable color. The main materials for the manufacture of decorative elements are:
- Gypsum,
- Fiber concrete,
- Polyurethane.
Each type has advantages and disadvantages, so when choosing parts, you need to study all its properties.
[ads-mob-1][ads-pc-1]
“Stucco molding” in the apartment – “Independent work”
Gypsum
Gypsum has the following advantages:
- No shrinkage.
- Fireproof properties.
- The structure is quite flexible for pouring into any shape.
- When making decorative details with your own hands, the blanks used are very pliable, do not crumble or chip.
- Long service life.
- Moisture absorption.
Directions for using gypsum binders
Among the disadvantages are:
- The gypsum structure is heavy.
- The finished product is quite fragile.
- In the absence of a polymer coating, gypsum parts can only be cleaned dry.
- Quite a high price.
- Making a portal from plaster yourself is almost impossible.
Fiber concrete
Fiber-reinforced concrete is a type of concrete based on reinforcement.
Among the advantages of the material are:
- Manufacturing of any parts.
- It has excellent contact with colors, resulting in elements similar to natural stone.
- Durability of the finished product.
- Durability.
- Not exposed to moisture.
Polyurethane
Types of thermoplastic polyurethane
Polyurethane is a material of synthetic origin. Despite the fact that manufacturers claim that it is harmless to humans, many prefer to avoid it.
Advantages of the material:
- Light weight structure.
- Easy to care for.
- Resistance to mechanical stress.
- The properties of the material allow us to produce any elements.
- The surface is perfectly painted.
- It has a smooth surface without pores, which prevents contamination.
- Resistant to moisture.
- Strength.
- Durability.
- Safety for humans.
Necessary tools and components
The second stage in the work will be measuring and purchasing the necessary building materials.
For a plasterboard structure you will need:
- profiles – rack and guide;
- moisture-resistant plasterboard sheets;
- elements for fastening (dowels, screws, etc.);
- finishing material (primer or putty, tile adhesive and grout) depending on the choice of cladding;
- tools: electric drill, screwdriver, metal scissors, knife, tape measure, level.
For polyurethane construction:
- fireplace portal made of polyurethane;
- contact adhesive composition;
- putty;
- finishing material.
For wooden structure:
- plywood sheets;
- wood sanding machine;
- electric jigsaw;
- screwdriver;
- finishing material.
Recommendations for installing stucco elements
Decorating a fireplace with stucco
Using these tips, you can diversify and harmoniously fit certain figures into the main structure, as well as complement and transform the style of the room.
- If the style of the room is made in a medieval direction, then the fireplace portal must be decorated with “stone stucco”. This will give massiveness and fundamentality to the main product.
- For an antique style interior, material in a classic style is suitable. It can also be used for a medieval style; the interior will only benefit in this case.
- To create home comfort, you can use a version of the material with elements of aging.
- And to give the fireplace a touch of individuality or exclusivity, you can use a combined design method, using elements from various materials.
[ads-pc-2][ads-mob-2]
Plaster fireplaces and decorative consoles
Gypsum is a classic material for making not only purely decorative stucco molding, but also some interior items. These include fireplace portals and consoles.
In a country house it is difficult to do without one of the main elements of a country or cottage interior. Of course, we are talking about the fireplace, this indispensable attribute of the home! After all, you really want to take a break from the bustle of the city. And it’s so nice on a cold, cloudy autumn evening to sip hot tea with lemon, rocking on a rocking chair and looking at the playing coals burning out in the depths of the fireplace!
If you have this item in your interior, then, of course, you have thought about how to make it elegant, beautiful, and appropriate to its place. If you are just planning to get a fireplace, then you are probably also concerned about the same question.
So how can you make a fireplace a bright part of your interior? Of course, first of all you need to pay attention to the general style of the interior so that the fireplace matches it. Classic, baroque, modern, art deco, minimalism - all these styles have their own characteristic features and require a special approach to the shape and decoration of all objects in their interior. And, of course, a fireplace made of plaster is no exception. Moreover, as a rule, it attracts attention, being a kind of center of attraction for the living room and even the whole house! Yes, the external appearance of stucco must be approached with special attention so that it organically fits into the interior of at least the room where it is present. And the plaster fireplace, its plasticity and the design of both individual parts and the entire composition as a whole must correspond to the overall interior design idea. Of course, the fireplace cannot be ceiling molding; we have never personally encountered such a design idea. But let us note once again that the stucco molding on the ceiling, with its appearance and pattern of relief decoration, should create a single whole with the sculptural forms of plaster on the portal. It is advisable to always find common points of contact and play with them in interesting artistic plastic solutions for all elements of the room.
So, having decided in general on the style of decor of the fireplace and the main nuances, you can begin to search for specific solutions for the implementation of your plans, for finishing the fireplace with plaster. And here our specialists will happily and happily help you make, as they say, your dream come true! The composition of the fireplace portal is an architectural building in miniature. Why? Because its external appearance is built according to the same principles that correspond to the facade of the building. Let's analyze our statement using the example of a fireplace with classic stucco. The whole thing is based on the Greek order in the form of columns or pilasters that support an entablature. And we observe the development of architectural decoration in miniature, on the fireplace. So, the columns, which are small in size, carry a plaster cornice - and this is all a fireplace, not a building! Yes, not a building, but at the same time how relevant this topic is to the structure of the portal, how it fits, how this stucco decor wonderfully, organically fits into all its components! The object is crowned with a plaster cornice, going around the fireplace around the perimeter, often intricate, with external and internal corners, but this only enriches the picture.
