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Help! Tiling fireplace surround

3 years ago

This is my (bare bones) family room. We are getting ready to redo the fireplace surround, using ceramic tile (Jeffrey Court Winters Peak from Home Depot, 9x20). We will probably take it wider than the existing hearth cutout on the floor. Some of the tile will be applied to the metal (black) firebox facade that you can see, and some will end up on the drywall. Do we need to put Durock underneath the tile or can we just apply directly to these surfaces? I am concerned the metal will heat and cause cracking in the tile and/or grout. Should we be concerned about this?

The problem with putting Durock on here is that it, combined with the tile, will make for a pretty thick edge that is tough to cover. Too big for Schluter edge, unless there is a product I don't know about.

If we did not use Durock, would we need a wire mesh on the metal part to help the tile adhere?

Also - how wide would you go with the tile for this fireplace surround?

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Comments (3)

PRO
Hansen Wholesale
3 years ago
Not sure about the Durock or wire mesh, which is one of your main questions. I don't do tile work, but I do design fireplace covers and gas fires and often help people with an overall finished look.

So I created these two mockups to help you along the way, seeing as we don't know what direction you are really going with the style of decor in this room.

I was going to create a mockup also showing a more traditional style mantel surround, but ran out of time. If you go that route, those two electrical supplies will likely need to be moved.

Tile floor to ceiling with glass doors and burning glass with geoshapes

Tile half way up with glass doors and matching metal angle iron trim to hide the exposed tile edge. We can make that metal trim any depth necessary. This works well if you want a rather contemporary look. You can also use wood molding. (Shown with gas burning fireballs.)
Laura M
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you - in the designs shown, will the metal immediately around the fire box become hot to the touch?
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PRO
Hansen Wholesale
3 years ago
Yes it would, just like any fireplace screen would get hot when you have a fire burning. Just so you know, the mockup shows glass doors, which always have some type of frame. But, you cannot burn a gas fire with the doors closed like I have shown in the picture. I just cannot easily create a mockup showing the doors open.

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