Cover the hearth with a drop cloth and remove the mantel and anything else that s attached to the brick.
Marble over fireplace.
Porcelain ceramic glass marble and natural stone like travertine limestone and slate.
Since you re about to tile over the marble fireplace you don t care about the condition of the marble so go ahead and scratch it up as thoroughly as you can.
Clean the surface of the marble well.
Measure the fireplace surround and mark off an area of equal size and shape on the floor nearby.
Go over the entire area with a wire brush to dislodge any loose mortar then scrub off the soot with a rag soaked in white vinegar.
Etch the marble get out your pad sander and a fairly coarse grit of sandpaper such as 60 or 80 grit.
How to tile over a marble fireplace surround.
Tiling over an existing brick fireplace can create a dramatic new look or restore some natural beauty if the brick has been painted over.
If you live an older home consider installing tile over brick fireplaces create a dramatic new look.
In many cases skim coating the existing brick with thinset will create a strong smooth surface for tile installation.
After taking a tiling class i know that is something that is just not in my diy wheelhouse so i called an expert named leo.
Wood wrapping covers up the brick for a cleaner more traditional look.
Then my luck turned.
Steps for tiling over a brick fireplace.
There are a multitude of tile materials that work well as fireplace surrounds.
Because the fireplace is a dry area not subjected to moisture or foot traffic it is possible to paint over the existing marble whether it is tile or a slab.
The colors of the glass and marble pick up the wood tones of the cabinets that flank it.
Begin laying out the marble tiles on the floor to determine the pattern and where to make any cuts.
To dispel the gloom of her fireplace rachel moore of pinteresting plans traded out that one thing she hated the one most the dark hearth for a more cheerful marble look porcelain tile in 20 inch by 20 inch format.