Freshen up the centerpiece of your living room.
A tiled fireplace hearth will stand strong for years to come.
The hearth is the area in front of a fireplace, usually tiled and raised.
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However, it has more important things to do than look pretty.
Below, we show you how to tile your ownfireplace hearthand include tips on tiling over an already-finished surface.
You may even have to take out a permit before you do the work.
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If they’re not, the addition of a new metal insert may satisfy building code requirements.
Make the bed from backerboard.
Cut two strips of backerboard to the finished dimensions of the hearth.
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Embed Backerboard
Spreadheat-resistant mortaron the existing hearth or subfloor and set one piece of backerboard in it.
Embed the board in the mortar.
Spread mortar on the top of the backerboard and lay metal lath in it.
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Then apply mortar to the second piece of backerboard and lay it mortared side down on the metal lath.
Embed and realign this piece so the corners of both boards are flush with each other.
Clean the excess and let the mortar set for 48 hours.
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Measure the height of the existing surface and rip 2x lumber 11/4 inches thinner than that measurement.
Locate the floor joists and mark their positions on the floor.
Fasten the 2x frame to the floor with screws that penetrate into the joists.
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Fasten the trim to the floor with 8d finishing nails.
Countersink the nails and fill the holes with tinted wood filler.
you might install square trim as shown above or apply eased edging with coped trim.
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Curved molding allows for a less abrupt transition between the floor and hearth and is easier to keep clean.
Be sure to leave a 1/4-inch gap along the wood trim.
Caulk the joint along the trimmed edge and seal the tiles with a penetrating sealer.
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Apply the sealer liberally.
It eases keeping the hearth clean.
