How to Reface a Fireplace with Tile

In just one weekend, you can transform a fireplace from dowdy and dated to sleek, modern and elegant just by updating it with tile. It’s a much simpler project than you think, and it costs less than $300 to do. Learn how to reface a fireplace with tile in this DIY Network video:

1. Remove the old mantel and surround.

2. Clean dust and debris from the wall using a damp cloth.

3. Determine how far out you want the tile on each side. Make sure it’s at least as wide as the old mantel so the tile covers up any marks left on the wall and that it meets up with any existing chair rail and baseboard. Also, make sure it’s symmetrical all the way up the wall. You can use a level to draw your edges so you know it will be perfectly straight.

4. Measure the area to be tiled to create a template using craft paper or cardboard so you can lay out the tile pattern on the floor. This allows you to play with different designs and make changes before you install anything permanently. To keep this project simple, use a tile pattern that fits in the space without being cut simply by stacking the tile in straight rows. When the design looks perfect on the template, it’s ready to go up on the wall.

5. Using an adhesive tile mat instead of mortar will save time and avoid a mess. Begin by cutting the adhesive mat to size. Make sure to get the right mat for your project. Peel off the white film. Starting on the bottom corner, stick the mat to the wall. Make sure it’s straight and inside the area to be tiled, then smooth out any air bubbles with a rubber float. Repeat this process all the way up the wall, overlapping each sheet by about 1/8 inch.

6. Once again, starting at the bottom corner, peel away the film on the first section of tile mat to reveal the adhesive. Sticking carefully to the pattern on the template, begin firmly pressing the tiles into place one at a time. Use spacers to create even lines between them for grout. For the tile directly above the hearth opening, use a scrap board to create a temporary shelf. Because the adhesive mat requires no drying time, the tile is ready to grout as soon as its installed.

7. Mix up some non-sanded grout to the consistency of mayonnaise. You can choose from a lot of different grout colors, so pick something that works well with your tile. Remove all the tile spacers, then begin smearing the grout over the tile with the rubber grout float. Apply the grout by dragging across the surface of the tile with the long side of the float at a 45-degree angle to the tile so that it gets down into all the joints. Once the joints are filled, wipe off the excess grout with the float almost perpendicular to the tile (don’t worry if there’s still some grout smeared on the surface of the tile). After about 25 minutes, or the amount of time on the grout instructions, wipe the tile with a damp sponge. Then after an hour, wipe it again with a dry clean cloth. What you’re left with is a clean tile finish with smooth grout lines in between.

Now it’s time to finish the room with a little design. The walls can be painted as well for a really dramatic makeover. The tile is what makes the statement, so by bringing in elements of the same color, it ties the whole room together for a clean contemporary feel.