Freshen up the centerpiece of your living elbow room . A tiled fireplace hearth will stand substantial for years to add up .
Adam Albright
Before you dress your fireplace up with the finest accessory , you need a open fireplace that can support stacks of logs , lanterns , artwork , and more . The hearth is the area in front of a hearth , usually tile and grow . However , it has more important thing to do than calculate pretty . The open fireplace is also made to withstand quite a piece ( including uttermost heat , a honest deal of weight , and the test of time ) . Below , we show you how to tile your ownfireplace hearthand admit tips on tiling over an already - finished surface .
Credit:Adam Albright
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
Materials
Instructions
Abide by Codes
tile an existing fireplace may not seem to be young construction in your house , but many local construction codification will classify this overhaul as new structure . You may even have to take out a permit before you do the oeuvre .
Building codes are understandably grumpy when it comes to anything that concerns fire , so before you select tile and leverage materials , check with your construction code officials . For example , you may have to keep combustible fabric , such as the mantlepiece ledge , a specified aloofness from the firebox . Local codes may also require an inspection of your hearth to check that the damper and lamp chimney are in good working condition . If they ’re not , the addition of a new metal insert may satisfy building code requirements .
Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Cut Bed
Hearths take a drubbing : A tiled hearth needs a tough 11/4 - column inch lay bed to stand firm the shock of miss logs . Make the seam from backerboard . Cut two strips of backerboard to the finished dimensions of the hearth . Use a carbide tongue and a straightedge to rationalize the board to length and acircular sawwith a Freemasonry blade to notch any quoin that have to fit around trimness or the outside corners of the hearth .
Embed Backerboard
Spreadheat - resistant mortaron the survive hearth or subfloor and set one spell of backerboard in it . Embed the board in the mortar . Spread mortar on the top of the backerboard and lay metal lath in it . Then apply mortar to the 2nd piece of backerboard and lie it mortar side down on the metal lath . Embed and realine this piece so the corner of both boards are loaded with each other . clean house the excess and let the mortar fix for 48 hour .
Extend the Hearth (Optional)
If needed , an elongation to a open fireplace must be the same height as the original hearth or the new roofing tile could crack . valuate the altitude of the existing aerofoil and rip 2x lumber 11/4 in slender than that measurement . Adding two sheets of 1/2 - inch cementum backerboard and metal lath mortared together will bring in the annexe level with the original . turn up the storey joists and mark their positions on the floor . Fasten the 2x physical body to the floor with gaoler that penetrate into the joist . Then fasten the first objet d’art of backerboard to the frame , howitzer it , embed the metallic element lath , and secure the second art object of backerboard .
Install Trim
Cut and miter wood trim to frame the hearth using the same species as the surrounding story , if possible . If not , stain and finish the trim to equate the trading floor finish as closely as you may . Fasten the passementerie to the floor with 8d finishing nails . set the nails and fill the hole with tinted Sir Henry Wood makeweight .
Ease the Edges
Adding tile to an exist fireside will constantly raise its level above the existing floor . you’re able to install straight passementerie as shown above or apply eased edging with coped trim . curving molding provide for a less sharp conversion between the floor and hearth and is easier to keep clean .
Set Tiles
unfold and ransack passion - resistant mortar on the backerboard bed and , starting along an edge with full tiles , set the tiles in place . Be sure to leave a 1/4 - column inch gap along the wood trim . If your hearth design includes insets , set them as you go — don’t hold back until you ’ve prepare all the field tiles .
Apply Grout and Sealer
After the mortar has cured ( at least overnight ) , grout the joint with unsanded grout , clean the tiles thoroughly to withdraw the spare grout and haze . Caulk the articulation along the cut border and seal the roofing tile with a penetrating sealant . use the sealant liberally . It eases save the hearth neat .
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
