Building Fireplaces And Chimneys

A LOG cabin without a fireplace is as illogical as a rowboat without oars. This applies equally to cabins of real logs or of log siding, and to a lesser degree to other types of construction. As for the less permanent or less pretentious hunting and fishing lodge, lake cottage, or bungalow, cooking and heating equipment frequently involves the installation of safe and efficient smoke pipes, flues, and attendant con­struction. Many a disastrous fire that interrupted a per­fect vacation or week-end recreation period could have been prevented if the builder of the fireplace or chim­ney had observed some of the simple rules governing such things.

A fireplace in a summer cabin may seem out of place. But there are chilly evenings and damp days to be considered, and nothing is more cheering at such times than an open fire. In winter a good fireplace is an essential part of the cabin. Although from the stand­point of efficiency a fireplace falls far behind various other sources of heat, the fact that the open fire has been a source of safety and comfort to the human race for so many thousands of years gives the fireplace something of the status of an idol or stone god. So if you are planning a cabin, start first with the fireplace, because that probably will be the first thing you will build, along with the foundation piers.

You can build a fireplace and chimney yourself, or hire a mason to do it. Strange as it may seem, few masons know how to put up a really good fireplace that will not smoke and a chimney that will not leak. If you hire the work done, plan to stay on the job almost constantly, to see that everything goes as it should. You probably will have long arguments with the mason to convince him that he should install a smoke shelf, or place the throat 8 in. above the top of the fireplace opening, or do something else that good design calls for. If you do the job yourself, observe the few rules for proper construction that are given in this chapter, and you will have little trouble.

The best material for the cabin chimney and fire­place is local stone. Large boulders can be broken to reveal their inner beauties and to make them con­venient to handle. Brick when visible is out of place in the woods or other rustic setting. Reinforced con­crete can be used if the outside is properly textured and perhaps colored; but a concrete fireplace or out­side chimney lacks much of the natural charm of one built of stone.

From the standpoint of appearance, an outside chim­ney rising from one end of the cabin is desirable. It can be reached easily if repair work becomes necessary in later years. On the other hand an outside chimney is wasteful of heat and cannot conveniently be made to serve kitchen stoves and other heating devices. So the matter of location becomes one largely of personal choice. Since your goal is not primarily an efficient heating system but rather one that radiates good cheer and a certain "atmosphere," the outside chimney prob­ably will win the most votes. Some builders construct outside barbecue fireplaces at the bases of massive chimneys, and find them sources of much pleasure.

Fireplaces and chimneys are not easy to build but these drawings give you all the facts necessary to construct them correctly.

Wherever the location, the chimney must be pro­vided with a substantial foundation. Never support a chimney and fireplace on the wooden framework of a building, or on anything else less secure than the earth itself. Construct a solid footing in a manner similar to that employed for concrete or stone piers. That is, dig a hole a foot or so larger all around than the base of the chimney, fireplace, and hearth com­bined, extending it well below the frost line, and then make a footing of reinforced concrete or stone ma­sonry. Take pains with the footing, for it must support a great weight. An insecure chimney will settle and perhaps sway in the wind, causing damage to the rest of the structure. It generally is the best plan to build the fireplace and chimney first, and to erect the cabin about it.

Continue to How To Build A Fireplace For A Log Cabin

How To Build A Log Cabin