Checklist To Refer While Tiling A Fireplace

While the cool months are about to arrive in some time, there are chances that you would be more likely to spend your maximum time near the fireplace during the winters. You would watch the fireplace surrounds while you spend the cosy moments watching the flickering flames. At times, you would consider an upgrade of the fireplace surrounds. There are several materials available in the market. It is easier to create a the gorgeous focal point within your room just by opting to re-tile the fireplace.

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1. Usage of the suitable tiles - There are a few things to consider while choosing the perfect tiles for your fireplace surrounds. You need to check the sustainability of the tiles in the heated place. You can use the Mapei fired tiles (ceramics/porcelain) that are suitable for the fireplaces. Another thing that you should keep in mind is the texture of the tiles. You should necessarily choose such a texture that there would not be scratches on the finish while removing the stacks of firewood from the fireplace.

2. Usage of the suitable mortar – If you decide to choose mortar for decorating the fireplace surrounds, you need to be careful about choosing the best heat-resistant mortar. You can choose the Mapei mortar which are completely heat-resistant and last for several years in a heated fireplace environment.

3. Tiling over the bricks – If the bricks of your fireplace surrounds are clean, sound, and pain-free, do not have sealers and coatings, they can bond directly to the tiles. When you opt to fix the tiles on the bricks’ surface, it becomes a little difficult due to the traditional substrate and due to the unevenness of the bricks. The mortar joints which are recessed can create problems in fixing the tiles on the bricks’ surface. Missing or cracked mortar joints, loose bricks, and sealers necessarily require attention before tiling on the surface of the bricks.

4. Tiling over the metal parts of the fireplace – Some of the fancy fireplaces have metal inserts within them. In some of the fireplace models, the exposed surfaces of the metals are large. You may want to cover them with tiles. The normal tiles mortar ceases to stick to the metal surface properly. The problem becomes even bigger when the metal surface is painted. In such cases, you need to call a seasoned professional who can handle such challenges with ease. The experienced professionals can easily handle the tiling of the metal surfaces near the high heat source in the fireplace. One of the major expert recommendations is that the welds and screws are mechanically attached on a metal lath to the metal parts of the fireplace. Then a mud bed is built on the surface of the metal so that the bonding of the tiles becomes stronger and durable. There are specially designed Mapei tiles. Mapei tiles are suitable to use on the metal surface in the fireplace surrounds which are exposed to the high amount of heat.

5. Do the prefabricated fireplaces require an equal level of attention? – The fireplace inserts emit an equal amount of heat as the wood-burning fireplaces. So, you would surely need to take the same care while tiling around a fireplace insert, as you do for a normal fireplace. The selection of materials should not vary either, as the heat in both the cases is equal.

Conclusion

Mapei has a long list of tiling products for the fireplace and they are safe to use in the fireplace surrounds. So, when it comes to tiling the fireplace surrounds, you need to necessarily follow the discussed checklist for the best output.