How to Finish a Fireplace Hearth Step 1: Clean the Surface. Use the vacuum to clean the surface of the fireplace hearth. Step 2: Seal the Tiles.
Full Answer
How do you thinset a concrete fireplace hearth?
If the hearth area has a concrete-slab substrate, make sure it's level and smooth. If not, mix a small batch of thinset mortar with latex additive following the directions on the packaging. Using the unnotched edge of a trowel, skim a coat of thinset onto the concrete to fill voids and smooth the surface.
How do I prepare my fireplace for remodeling?
Prepare the work area First, it’s important to clean the hearth as much as possible. I put down a drop cloth, and then used a bucket of warm water and scrub brush to clean the aggregate stones. I also applied masking tape along the front of my fireplace insert, to keep it clean. Clean the hearth, put down drop cloths, and tape off the fireplace.
How do you clean a stone fireplace hearth?
First, it’s important to clean the hearth as much as possible. I put down a drop cloth, and then used a bucket of warm water and scrub brush to clean the aggregate stones. I also applied masking tape along the front of my fireplace insert, to keep it clean.
How do you lay tile around a fireplace hearth?
Starting at the front edge of the hearth, dry-lay a line of tiles in one of the quadrants, beginning at the center line and moving out to the edge. Make sure to leave space between the tiles to account for grout. Mark edge tiles that need to be cut.
Can you put wallpaper around a gas fireplace?
Wallpaper around your fireplace? Yes you can, but only if you have a City Series designer gas fireplace.
Can you surround a city series fireplace?
Say whhaaat? Do you have a City Series designer gas fireplace? If so, you can surround it with any flammable finishing material you want, right to the edge. Wood, wallpaper, fabric, metallic laminate, wrapped canvass art, mirrors, digitally printed glass or ceramic…if you can think about it, you can do it with City Series! If you have a conventional fireplace, flammable finishing may not be an option for you, or there may be restrictions; check your fireplace owner’s manual to identify you’re the safe clearance to combustibles for your fireplace.
Can you tile a fireplace?
Can you install tile on a fireplace from floor to ceiling? If you choose the right type of tile, yes you can! Tile has been around for more than 25 000 years, but it only recently became a hot fireplace refinishing trend. Tile comes in many different sizes, colors, patterns, weights and textures - there’s even tile that looks like wood and brushed metal! Manufactured from materials like ceramic, porcelain, stone, metal or glass, there’s a tile for every home design purpose and décor style. Installing tile around your fireplace may require a trained pro who is familiar with heat installations and regional building codes. Be sure to discuss your project goals and desired tile type with your local fireplace store before purchase to ensure safety and success. We’ve included some resources at the end of this blog to help you learn more about fireplace tile installation.
Do fireplace inserts help with draft?
Fireplace inserts are affordable and they come in many difference sizes and styles. Designed to fit into your existing masonry chimney, fireplace inserts stop cold chimney draft, keep you warmer, improve indoor air quality, and they can also lower your monthly heating bill.
Do you need an arched fireplace insert?
Contrary to popular myth, you don’t need an arched fireplace insert if you have an arched fireplace. Simply measure the opening of your fireplace to determine what size fireplace insert you need. Scroll down to learn how to measure for a fireplace insert.
How to fill joint beltween firebox and hearth?
Fill joint beltween firebox and hearth with thinset. Scrape of excess and tool smooth.
What to put around hearth to protect from scratches?
Tape thin plywood or cardboard to floor around hearth to protect floor from scratches and debris.
How to raise furrows evenly across the surface?
Comb the toothed trowel through the thinset to raise evenly spaced furrows across entire surface (as shown).
How to set screed on floor?
Set ends of screed on floor, notches down. Pull it across hearth while moving it quickly from side to side (as shown).
How to adhere stone to thinset?
Press down firmly on hearth to adhere stone to thinset.
What nail finish is used for nail mantel?
Toenail mantel into framing with 8d finish nails (as shown).
How to cut strips on a wall?
Using a compass, scribe the strips where they touch the wall (as shown). Cut along scribe lines with a jigsaw.
What is a hearth in a fireplace?
The hearth is the area in front of a fireplace, usually tiled and raised. However, it has more important things to do than look pretty. The hearth is also made to withstand quite a bit including extreme heat, a good deal of weight, and the test of time.
What is a tiled fireplace hearth?
A tiled fireplace hearth will stand strong for years to come. Before you dress your fireplace up with the finest accessories, you need a hearth that can support stacks of logs, lanterns, artwork, and more. The hearth is the area in front of a fireplace, usually tiled and raised.
How to prevent cracked tile?
Editor's Tip: Prevent cracked tile by using the hearth carefully. Some tiles stand up to the task of chopping firewood. Others don't. Ceramic and porcelain floor tiles are tough and should be able to take a beating. Saltillo and marble will crack. Marble also stains easily, so keep it well sealed to minimize black marks from sooty wood or thrown embers. Hang a high-quality glass or mesh screen. If a tile does crack, chisel it out and replace it.
What to do if your fireplace isn't cozy?
If your fireplace isn't ideal for cozying up next to, consider a remodeling job. Whether you want to improve function, looks, or both, these fireplace remodeling tips from a remodeling expert will help you get started.
What to do if marble tile cracks?
Hang a high-quality glass or mesh screen. If a tile does crack, chisel it out and replace it.
Can you put tile over a hearth?
Ease the Edges. Adding tile to an existing hearth will invariably raise its level above the existing floor. You can install square trim as shown above or apply eased edging with coped trim. Curved molding allows for a less abrupt transition between the floor and hearth and is easier to keep clean.
Is a fireplace a new construction?
Abide by Codes. Tiling an existing fireplace may not seem to be new construction in your home, but many local building codes will classify this renovation as new construction. You may even have to take out a permit before you do the work.
How to whitewash a fireplace?
To achieve a whitewashed effect, Tasha from Kaleidoscope Living cut the white paint with water to thin it out. She then rolled it on with a textured nap roller cover, followed by brushwork. A wood stove inserted in the fireplace solves the problem of wood-burning fireplaces' energy inefficiency. Now, this ethereal fireplace is a beautiful focal point for the room instead of being an eyesore.
What did Rachel do with her old fireplace?
In a creative fireplace transformation that is nothing short of stunning, Rachel completely turned around the look of her old fireplace . She created beautiful open shelving to physically and visually attach the fireplace to the house. And for another bit of lagniappe, she now has loads of storage space. Next, she added thin cut brick with an intentionally messy mortar job for a classic, antique look.
What size is Rachel Moore's fireplace?
To dispel the gloom of her fireplace, Rachel Moore traded out that one thing she hated the one most, the dark hearth, for a more cheerful marble-look porcelain tile in 20-inch by 20-inch format. Wood covers the brick for a cleaner, more traditional look. Her reworked fireplace is now as warm and cozy as she always dreamed it could be.
Who owns the fireplace in Maison de Pax?
With the standalone fireplace craze long in the past, this one, owned by Rachel at Maison de Pax, still stood like a sentinel to the 1990s. Rachel had two problems. First, the fireplace was uninteresting. Second and most problematic, how do you connect this fireplace with the rest of the house?
What is a Fireplace Hearth?
A hearth is a structure put in front of your fireplace and is made of non-combustible materials such as marble, bricks, cement slabs, or stones.
The Different Types of Hearths
There is no one type of hearth because different materials can be used to install a hearth at your fireplace. The various hearths have pros and cons depending on the type of fireplace you have installed at home. For example, some materials are not suitable for making a hearth in a wood-burning fireplace because they won’t last long.
The 4 Fireplace Hearth Positions
Apart from being a safety feature, the different materials used to make a fireplace hearth also add to the beauty of your home. In addition, there are four styles of installing a hearth also to complement your needs for both protection and beautification.
What is a fireplace hearth?
The hearth is the official name for the area of the ground in front of a fireplace – otherwise known as the floor of the fireplace. As you’d expect, fireplace hearths are always made from fire-resistant material, and most hearths are made from brick, tile, cement or natural stone (such as marble or granite).
How thick is a concrete fireplace?
A concrete fireplace hearth is typically one of the most time-consuming types of hearth to remove, especially in older houses where the concrete hearth maybe 1-2 feet thick .
What is the best material to protect a hearth?
Thin plywood or thick cardboard (to protect the wall and floor around the hearth)
Can you lift a brick fireplace hearth?
In many cases, brick fireplace hearths often come away from the floor in one piece – in which case you can simply lift the hearth and drag it out of position.
Can you hire a chimney sweep to remove a fireplace?
You might also want to sweep the chimney before you try to remove the fireplace hearth. You can hire a chimney sweep to do it for you for a relatively low cost – find out more in our chimney sweep cost guide.
Can you remove marble from a fireplace?
If you need to remove a marble fireplace, we often recommend hiring professional tradespeople to do it for you, as it can be a potentially dangerous job for an inexperienced DIY enthusiast.
Can you remove a fireplace hearth?
It might seem like a fairly small job, but removing a fireplace hearth can dislodge large amounts of built-up soot, dust and debris from your chimney flue – which can make a real mess. Before you start attacking the hearth, move furniture out of the room (or as far from the hearth as possible), roll back the carpet away from the hearth, and cover everything with dust sheets.
Can I paint bricks on the side of a fireplace?
Not terrible. But it certainly didn’t fit the vision I had for my living room space. So I decided since I had a gas fireplace, I could paint the bricks on the side. No wood burning=no soot to worry about.
Can a fireplace look happy?
Now that’s a fireplace! It looks so much more refreshing and happy. Yes, a fireplace can look happy!
Before Pictures: Old and Ugly Fireplace Hearth
My house has the slightly unique feature (for such a small and modern home) of having two fireplaces. One is in the living room, and the other is in the master bedroom. They’re both built with lovely red brick.
Directions
First, it’s important to clean the hearth as much as possible. I put down a drop cloth, and then used a bucket of warm water and scrub brush to clean the aggregate stones.
How long does it take for a hearth to dry?
Let the grout dry about 30 to 60 minutes, until firm to the touch. Dampen a grout sponge and squeeze out the excess water.
How deep should a firebox hearth be?
You'll also have to bring the hearth dimensions up to code: Most localities require hearths to be 16 inches deep and extend 8 inches beyond both sides of the firebox.
What is the best thing about a hearth?
Tiling can seem daunting, but the great thing about a hearth is that it's essentially a flat rectangle. You have room to play around—with different borders, with different patterns. And the best part is that thinset is very forgiving.
Why do you want a hearth to be symmetrical?
Because a hearth is in front of a major focal point, you want it to appear symmetrical. If you're working with high-end art tile, you're in luck: Manufacturers or dealers will often create a layout for you and order the proper amount of materials in sizes that require a minimum of cutting.
How to score plywood board?
Transfer the measurements to a sheet of backer board. Using a utility knife, score the board along the mark. Stand the board up and snap it along the score line. Then cut through the fibers at the snap line.
Where to place tile in thinset?
Set a tile at the intersection of the layout lines, giving it a slight twist as you embed it into the thinset. Continue working outward from the center toward the edges, placing tiles according to the layout you determined earlier.
Do you need sound for a hearth?
Before the final design is put in place, however, the structure needs to be sound, because a hearth receive s constant abuse.
