How to Tile a Fireplace Surround

By: Jennifer Stimpson, This Old House magazine

Shopping List

Supplies You Will Need

1. Tile Available through manufacturers, specialty shops, or home centers in a wide variety of materials. For most basic tile or stone, you can calculate the square footage of your surround and buy 10 percent more tile than needed, to account for cuts and mistakes. If you’re working with art tile, many manufacturers will create a custom pattern and materials list for you if you send them a measured drawing of your surround.

2. Thinset mortar Look for a product that’s good for wall applications, such as Laticrete Mega Bond. A 50-pound bag will cover up to 100 square feet.

3. Latex additive to improve the flexibility of the thinset and create a stronger bond.

4. 1x3 lumber to create support ledges for the upper field of tiles and the bottom edges of the legs.

5. 2-inch masonry screws to attach the support ledges to the bricks.

6. Tile spacers to separate the tiles evenly and keep them from sliding down while the thinset cures. The size of your joints can vary, based on the tile; a sharp-edged material, such as granite, can be spaced as little as 1⁄8 inch, but more rustic art tile can have 3/16- to 3/8-inch spacing. Buy plastic spacers or make your own from cardboard.

7. Grout If the space between your tiles will be greater than 1⁄8 inch, you’ll need sanded grout; less space calls for unsanded grout.

8. Sanded acrylic caulk is usually available from the grout manufacturer in a complementary color.

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Tools List
Tools You Will Need
- Drill/driver with mortar mixing paddle
- ½-inch notched trowel
- 2-foot level
- Circular saw
- Wet-cutting tile saw (rents for about $40 per day)
- 1 1/2-inch angled sash brush
- Putty knife
- Painter's tape
- Rubber grout float
- Grout bag
- Grout sponge
- Caulk gun
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photo of grout being applied to art tiles with a grout bag

Photo: Kolin Smith

Introduction
Overview
Steps:
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8. Grout the Art Tile

To grout the art tiles, load the mix into a grout bag and squeeze it into the joints.

Let the grout dry for 30 to 60 minutes or until firm to the touch. Dampen a grout sponge and wipe the tiles in a circular motion to clean off the excess. Let the grout dry overnight.

Using a clean cloth, buff the face of the tiles to remove the white haze. Reinstall the mantel and use a caulk gun to caulk between the outer edge of the tile and the mantel’s inner edge. Allow the tile to cure for another two or three days before building a fire.

TOH Tip: Mist the grout with a spray bottle occasionally to keep it from cracking as it dries.