Nowadays it is quite possible to tile over the old tile and avoid the time and money of cleanup and backerboard installation.
Can you put tile over brick fireplace.
Use needle nose pliers to remove tile spacers and take them out as you get to them in each section.
Learn how to prep the old brick and fireplace surround and how to tile a fireplace for a fresh modern look.
Then pull back the rest of the backer.
Go over the entire area with a wire brush to dislodge any loose mortar then scrub off the soot with a rag soaked in white vinegar.
Choose from ceramic tile or natural stone tile like marble granite or slate.
Stone is another excellent choice for the fireplace.
My tile fireplace has a little space between the mantel and the tile so i was able to stick part of it behind the mantel to start.
Start at the bottom of your tile or bottom of the fireplace surround and spread the grout diagonally over the ledger panels.
Tiling over an existing brick fireplace can create a dramatic new look or restore some natural beauty if the brick has been painted over.
Smooth the tile down with your hand.
In many cases skim coating the existing brick with thinset will create a strong smooth surface for tile installation.
After tackling my fireplace demolition and removing lots of ugly peach marble tile i unearthed the original brick fireplace from 1946.
Steps for tiling over a brick fireplace.
Yes you can tile directly over a brick fireplace.
The average do it yourself homeowner can cover their old tile fireplace surround with new tile in one to two days depending on the size and scope of the project.
The peel and stick tiles have a little extra space on one side so you can overlap them slightly so there are no gaps.
Repeat with the float multiple times so that you will fill in any gaps.
Cover the hearth with a drop cloth and remove the mantel and anything else that s attached to the brick.
You can also use stone look tile that looks every bit as great as stone but is made of porcelain.