How to Replace a Brick Fireplace With Tile

Tile on top of old bricks to update the fireplace surround.

Many homes feature exposed brick fireplaces. Brick is durable and easy to care for, but it might not fit in with the rest of your decor. If you'd like a different kind of fireplace surround, you can tile right on top of the bricks. This will eliminate the need for a major renovation that could interfere with your chimney and flue.

Things You'll Need

• Thin-set mortar
• Trowel
• Measuring tape
• Tile saw
• Grout
• Grout float
• Damp grout sponge

Instructions

1. Smooth a thin layer of thin-set mortar over the bricks of the fireplace surround using the flat edge of the trowel. Make the surface completely flat, filling in the mortar between the bricks and creating a flat wall. Allow the mortar to dry overnight.

2. Measure the fireplace surround and mark off an area of equal size on the floor nearby. Lay out your tiles in this area to determine placement, cuts and grout joints. Lay the first tile in the area directly above where the center of the firebox would be. Lay the next tiles out equally to each side, and then down the legs of the surround.

3. Cut tiles to the right size as needed on a tile saw and return them to the layout to double-check their fit before tiling.

4. Spread a small amount of thin-set mortar onto the surround. Rake this layer with the notches on the trowel to produce ridges. Install the tiles in the same pattern in which you laid them out. Press each tile into the ridges and twist them slightly into place.

5. Allow the mortar to dry for 24 hours, then grout the tiles on the surround. Push the grout between the joints with the flat edge of a grout float, and wipe up any excess grout on the tiles with a damp grout sponge.

References

• This Old House: How to Tile a Fireplace Surround