San Francisco Bay Area - Updating an angled 12" tiled fireplace...

by hillcram

Updating an angled 12" tiled fireplace...

Hello -
I am in need of some design advice...we'd like to update our fireplace with minimal work/expense/time. Ha! Isn't that everyone's dream?!?
Seriously, though, the fireplace is the main thing you see when you walk into our home. We added a screen in attempt to give it some more architectural detail, but that only did so much. I really dislike the 12" tiles and the wood mantle. They're both very plain and don't match the rest of the home (Rancher, built in the late 1950's/early 1960's). I've attached photos to show the current views.
My sticking points are:
1) Can I just redo the tiles on the actual fireplace and leave the floor portion as is?
2) Should I replace the mantel or would painting it white (to match the rest of the trim in the house) look alright for now?
3) Should we repeat the new tile up above the mantle, as well?
4) Do I need to remove the current tiles, or can I just tile over them on the fireplace?

Any other suggestions/thoughts/advice are greatly appreciated!

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rinqreation Do the tiles become hot when the fireplace is burning? If not more than handwarm, you could paint them with special tile paint. And if it does not become too hot, you could consider sticking glasstile mosaic on top of the existing tiles. But when it does become hot or you want to use other (thicker) tiles, take the old ones out. So the answers are 1: Yes, when they look good, why not. 2: Paint is fine. 3: No. 4: See above.

2 months ago · Like

calikym Replace the tiles since you don't like the squares. Pick something that inspires you - go to a tile store, look on houzz, etc. You could also raise the hearth off the floor or not, leaving the same footprint either way... It would really change the look of the room and fireplace to simply swap the tiles and maybe paint the mantel. This could be easily done for under $1K.

2 months ago · Like

Ironwood Builders Raising the hearth may not be a good option as it will then be above the fire box. A single layer of tile might work adding only 3/8". It is possible to tile over tile in this situation, bullnose at the inside of the box and take off the wood 'legs', run the tile back around the corner. Layout of the tile is important. You don't want itty bitty tiles anywhere. Best of luck!

2 months ago · Like ·

hillcram I'm not sure if the tiles become hot when the fireplace is on - will definitely check that out. What does paint do to grout? Or is there a way to cover it/change it's color too?
I think it needs the hearth has to stay flush with the floor - it's a high traffic area - so we'd either leave the current tiles there or perhaps paint them with the tile paint, or eventually replace them totally.
Thank you for your responses!

2 months ago · Like ·

rinqreation When you paint tile, you mostly paint the grout too (you roll the entire thing and mask tape where you don't want paint).

2 months ago · Like