How to Tile Over a Brick Fireplace
Are you tired of looking at the drab, dirty brick around your fireplace? Want to spruce it up and make it look more modern? Tiling over a brick fireplace can do wonders for the look and feel of a room. Here's how to tile over a brick fireplace:
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Tile of your choice
- Tile cutter
- Flat trowel
- Notched trowel
- Thinset adhesive
- Grout
- Grout float
- Damp sponge
- Wipe cloths
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Level
- Dropcloth
- Heat resistant caulk
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1
Lay a dropcloth in front of the brick fireplace and clean the bricks with a wire brush. Make sure the bricks are free of dirt, dust, and other particle debris. Use a old cloth soaked in vinegar to remove soot. Let the brick fireplace dry overnight.
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2
Choose a tile and/or design and create a cardboard template of the fireplace tile design before you start. This will help you space out the tiles evenly on the floor and ensure your measurements and tile cuts are correct before you cover the brick fireplace.
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3
Smooth the surface of the brick fireplace. Remove the mantel if there is one. Apply a layer of thinset with a flat trowel (don't use a notched trowel). Apply a second coat of thinset if the first coat does not create a flat surface. Let the thinset dry overnight.
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4
Install a piece of 1"x3" wood below the top edge of the brick fireplace opening to provide support for the new tiles as they set above it. Make sure it is level and screw it into the fireplace surround.
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5
Using a notched trowel, apply a coat of thinset above the support ledge on the brick fireplace.
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6
Starting in the middle of the brick fireplace surround, install the tiles just above the support ledge and work your way to the far edges and the top, cutting the tiles as necessary on the ends. Be sure to use spacers, stagger the tile joints and wiggle each tile in place to ensure a firm set. Use a damp sponge to remove extra thinset or tile haze, then let the tile set overnight.
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7
Remove the support ledge and screw it to the bottom of the brick fireplace surround to support the tiles for the legs.
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8
Using the notched trowel, apply the thinset to one leg on the brick fireplace surround and tile it from the bottom up. Tile the next leg when you are done with the first. Use a damp sponge to remove extra thinset or haze, then let it set for at least 4 hours.
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9
Remove the support ledge and spacers from the brick fireplace surround.
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10
Cut and install smaller tiles where the support ledge was installed. Let the fireplace tiles dry for at least 4 hours.
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11
Mix the grout by following the manufacturer's directions. Apply the grout at an angle with a grout float. Let the grout dry overnight. Wipe the tiles with a cloth to remove any grout haze.
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12
Reinstall the fireplace mantel and caulk the edges with heat resistant caulk.
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13
Allow the fireplace tile to cure for at least 5 days before building a fire.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Check out the Resource links below for more home improvement projects.
Use rubber gloves when applying adhesive and grout.
Be sure to carefully handle cut tile since the edges may be sharp.
Do not use mastic to set the tiles in - it is not heat resistant.
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Resources
- How to Install Tile for a Fireplace Surround
- How to Install Marble Tile on a Fireplace
- How To Install Wall Tiles
- How to Buy and Install Glass Tile
- How to Install Ceramic Wall Tiles
- How to Lay Tiles on Cement
- How to Install Ceramic Tile on New Concrete
- How to Tile a Concrete Floor
- How to Lay a Tile Backsplash
- How to Cut Granite Tops
- How to Install Bathroom Tiles
- How to Regrout Shower Tile
- How to Lay Bathroom Floor Tile
- How to Stop a Linoleum Floor From Being Slippery
