Flávia Gerab answers questions about fireplaces

The Casa de Valentina blog invited architect Flávia Gerab to answer readers' questions about fireplaces. Whether they are wood-burning, gas-burning, eco-friendly, portable, with a chimney, or for outdoor areas, the variety of models available today is so great that it is natural to have difficulty choosing a model. Many people don't even know where to start, and sent their questions to the professional to answer. You can read their answers below. @rdmoyses: I would like to know if alcohol fireplaces work well and with what type of alcohol? Alcohol fireplaces work really well. In fact, I think they are the most suitable fireplaces for those of us who live in tropical countries. They heat a room of 30 m² to 100 m² well, but it is a pleasant heat, around 80 degrees. The alcohol used is cereal alcohol, which is very pure (the same alcohol used in pharmacology and perfumery). It has a temperature of over 92 degrees, which keeps the flame nice and uniform. The alcohol sold today is mixed with water and cannot keep the flame lit. Curiosities aside, the structures of ecological fireplaces are made with a double wall of stainless steel coated with a ceramic blanket on the inside. This blanket absorbs the cereal alcohol and allows the fireplace to remain lit for 1 to 6 hours, depending on the size. The one in my project below from CASA COR stayed lit for five hours! @nadiamuller: What's the tip about the TV above the fireplace? | @anaandreis: I would like to know tips for placing the television on the fireplace wall. Nadia and Ana, that's a good question! Many of my clients come to me with the same question. It is possible to have the television above the fireplace, taking some precautions. The height of the niche where the flame is located must be at least 60 cm (ideally 70 cm), and the television must be about 25 cm from the niche. This niche must be lined with stone, marble, metal, cement or refractory bricks. Here's a tip: synthetic materials such as Silestone or Marmoglass do not work, this is the case with an ecological fireplace. If the fireplace is wood-burning or gas-burning, it is necessary to apply a ceramic blanket between the hood and the TV wall. I love this project by Zize Zink, which is a good example: @flaviaandressa: Can I have a fireplace without a chimney? What are the options?

In this project below, Murilo Lomas opted for an ecological fireplace and also used this same visual trick. And here in a more modern version. @camisnw: What should I do with a corner fireplace, just plastered and painted, with the living room floor directly on top? Cover it? Put a border on the floor to avoid damage? What are some ideas for a corner fireplace? Cami, I don't know what flooring you have in your house. If it's wood, it's definitely not a good idea to have the fireplace directly on it. Even if it's not, I recommend that you make a covered base about 30 cm high. If the fireplace is wood-burning, it's important to cover the base and the wall with refractory bricks. If not, you can use stone, cement, brick or marble. Also think about covering the wall so that it doesn't turn black from the flames. It's also a good idea to invest in a protective screen, as sparks can also damage the floor. Now, if it were in my house, I would use a wood burning stove or a suspended fireplace, I think they are so cute! See below: And here is a photo of the Dado Castello Branco environment at CASA COR São Paulo this year: In this last photo, we can see the issue of the base. Also, notice how cool the look is with the mix of materials! To see the article on the blog, just click here !