We’d like to tile over the brick around our fireplace. Can I put cement backerboard on the wall and cover that with tile? —Roger Brumm, Sterling,VA. A: Joe Ferrante replies: Sure you could, but it’s a lot easier to trowel thinset over the brick and then tile right over that. Here’s how to do it:
Steps for Tiling Over a Brick Fireplace:
Here’s a trick I use when tiling around fireplaces. The row of tiles directly above the firebox is visually the most important, so it should be absolutely straight.
Nail a straight 1x board horizontally across the fireplace, in line with the top of the firebox, and use its top edge as a shelf as you set the tiles. The board also prevents the tiles from slipping before the adhesive cures. Work up from the board first, then, when the thinset hardens, take it off and work down the sides of the fireplace.
Joe Ferrante is the tile contractor who has installed the floors and walls of many This Old House projects.
