How to Tile a Fireplace Hearth | DIY Tips It’s Easier Than You Think
Are you tired of your traditional fireplace and are looking to make some striking improvements to your living room. Consider looking into innovative ideas for your hearth, for example, a wood-burning fireplace or floor tiles. If you buy these products, be sure to keep that one thing to shield the floor from heat damage. If you buy it that you purchase from the manufacturer. The tiles should be sturdy as well as durable to endure this heat impact. It is possible to install tiles yourself. First, however, you should be aware of how to tile a fireplace hearth? What tools do you need, and what approach must you adhere to when tiling a fireplace hearth. Before you begin, it is essential to be aware of the hearth of your fireplace and how it affects your flooring.
In simple terms, we can describe it because it creates a gathering space within a room. For long periods, people have gathered around this. The word “hearth” is the dominant feature of its surroundings. If I declare that I tiled a fireplace’s hearth and know how to tile a fireplace hearth, I will need to tile the mantel’s surround.
What is a hearth
Hearths are the area that separates the inside and exterior of the fireplace from the floor in the room. The transition, also known as a buffer space, typically has a different type of material than the flooring surrounding it because of the extra heat needs the space has. Hearth tiles meet several needs. They must resist heat and fit in with the fireplace and the mantel, and make an attractive match with the flooring. When you add a hearth, the fireplace will remain there throughout the years to come. So make sure you select the design that can endure time tests. If this is a completely newly constructed process or you’re installing a fireplace in a place, it previously was not begun by deciding on the kind of fireplace you would like to have in your room.
Check out: How to use a mobile home fireplace
How to tile a fireplace hearth
Selecting good quality tiles
The best tile to choose from a wide selection of tiles can be a challenging process. You can either rely on the design, or you can select strong and resilient tiles. I’ll tell you what tiles to pick to decorate your fireplace. Hearth tiles must match the overall style of your home. It recommends to pick neutral colors that are effective if you modify your home’s interior. If you’re looking for an appearance of wood in the fireplace, opting for porcelain is the best choice. If you opt for a matte option, some texture gives an authentic look.
The sleek-looking tiles will provide an elegant look to your tiles. Take into consideration your budget and select tiles that will fit within your budget. Consider the labor and installation costs. The scale is a crucial factor in deciding on the right tile. Large tiles are the best choice for rooms with large spaces as they give a neat and minimal appearance. Large tiles are ideal for those who install them in the middle. On the other hand, small hexagonal tiles offer a modern appearance.
Measure fireplace
For measuring the fireplace, it is necessary to determine its length, width, height, and depth. For this, you’ll require an accurate measurement of every dimension of the fireplace. If you do not take this step, it will be difficult to put in tiles that do not suitable for the fireplace.
First of all, take measurements of the fireplace at various points to make sure that all areas are equal and there aren’t any smaller places than others. Next, measure the height of the fireplace across the open area, to the rear, along with the edge. Finally, if the fireplace has an arched shape, take measurements at the top and lowest points to create your final measurements. The width must be identical across every point on the square-shaped fireplace. However, it could differ based on the fireplace with sidewalls that are angled.
In the same way, if you need to determine the width, you must measure from the outside to the inside of the wall. It is important to know the deepness of your fireplace. It’s not very deep, but it’s a distance from the open face firewall up to the fireplace’s back wall.
Design your tile
This means you first set the tiles in the flooring to observe all equals or cut using the tile cutter, making sure that it fits the exact dimensions for the fireplace. After dusting then, apply the acrylic primer. It will improve the bond between the adhesive and the surface for a stronger bond. It should dry. Once it is dry, you can prepare your adhesive by placing it within the bucket. Use a pencil to draw the centerline, and then mark it according to front, back, and floor. Apply the adhesive using a trowel and spread with a trowel tiller to about 2-3 cm above. Utilize the grooved edges of the trowel used by the tiller to make the ridges.
Create the substrate
If the hearth area is concrete slabs, make sure that it’s level and even. If there’s no level, mix a small batch of thinset mortar using a latex-based additive according to the instructions on the package. Utilizing the edge that is notch-less trowel to skim thin-set on the concrete, filling in gaps while smoothing the surfaces. Allow the concrete to dry completely before proceeding. In the case of made of plywood, then measure the area. The measurements should transfer to the backer board. Utilizing a utility knife, score the board at the lines. Then, stand the board up and snap it on that line. Cut the fibers along with your snap point.
The board should glue to the plywood using construction adhesive. Then, with a driver or drill, put the backing board into place using fasteners placed at intervals of 12 to 16 inches. The screw hole should fill using a thin set.
Cut the tiles
The cut line should align with the blade of the tile saw. Adjust the fence to hold the tile against it while keeping the mark and blade in the same direction. Wearing ear and eye protection, switch on the saw’s blade as well as its water supply. With the tile facing the fence and water flowing across the blade, gradually insert the tile by applying gentle pressure.
Start tiling
Then, place tiles on the wall using small pieces. After the tiles are placed, you should set it level to ensure that tiles are evenly placed. With abrasive and clean water, remove the adhesive gum completely. Allow it to dry before gluing it on the walls.
How to choose tile for a fireplace hearth
Color scheme for the overall
The tiles for your hearth must be in harmony with the overall scheme of the color of the overall color scheme of your home. They can be used to create a dramatic accent to your space or to introduce a neutral color that perfectly matches the surroundings. While it’s entertaining to add some color by using hearth tiles, it’s best to pick something timeless and versatile to ensure that it remains the same when the room’s decor is changed.
Style of the space
The color scheme is just the start. The tile’s finish is also important to match the overall aesthetic of the room. Tiles with a slight texture can give the impression of a rustic style. High-gloss tiles that have a polished look add more class. Consider the style of the space and select tiles that complement the aesthetic. You can also get the look of wood with wooden-looking porcelain tiles.
Budget
Every project comes with a budget, no matter if you’re just renovating the hearth or designing your living area. So first, think about the budget of the hearth and select tiles that will fit into that budget. Then, take into account any labor and materials costs for installation needed to finish the task.
Take into account scale
When it comes to selecting the right tiles for your fireplace, the scale is a key aspect. Large tiles are perfect for large spaces since they offer a clean and simple design. However, the smaller the tiles are larger, the more complex the designs may get. So make sure that all tiles are the same size, or include large tiles at the center and smaller tiles for a decorative border around the edges. Square and rectangular tiles keep the traditional look round, and hexagonal tiles make the design modern.
Measurements
To figure out exactly how many tiles you will need, it is essential to measure the space. The measurements and the measurement of the tiles could be used to figure out the number of tiles required to complete the installation. Take into consideration the tiny gaps between the tiles to be grouted.
Conclusion
For the final part of this article, Tiling, a fireplace’s hearth, is an extremely popular job for DIYers. Before beginning, you should study carefully to learn how to tile a fireplace hearth? This will aid you in the process. It is important to select high-quality tools and tiles that will assist you in putting on the tiles. When choosing tiles, make sure you check that it is heat resistant. Before you grout, clean and clean the tiles to ensure that there are no obstacles. I hope this article will definitely help you with your job.
