How To Use Tile Around a Fireplace

The fireplace may see the most use in fall and winter, but it is a focal point of the room at all times of the year. When planning home renovations in Brantford, take the opportunity to refurbish the fireplace in your home by having tile trim installed. Here is some instruction on how to use tile effectively around a fireplace.

Where Can You Put Tile Around a Fireplace?

When you look at a fireplace, it may seem like a single unit, but all fireplaces consist of three distinct parts:

• Hearth

• Surround

• Firebox

It is important to understand the differences between these parts because you can’t install tiles on all of them.

The hearth is the area of the floor directly in front of the fireplace. In the days when fireplaces were essential for heating and cooking, this was the center of the home. The hearth may be on the same level as the fireplace or, if the fireplace is elevated, it may be below it.

In either case, sparks and embers may fly out of the fireplace and onto the hearth. If the hearth was made of wood or covered with carpet, it would burn. Therefore, it is a good idea to hire flooring services to install a heat-resistant material, such as tile, onto the hearth.

The surround is the most visible part of the fireplace, the front-facing portion. Tile is an excellent material for decorating the fireplace surround. The only place where tile cannot go is the firebox, which is the cavity where the fire is actually built. The firebox can reach temperatures of up to 80 degrees Celsius (175 degrees Fahrenheit). While tile is heat resistant, it is not recommended for applications where it gets that hot.

What Are the Benefits of Using Tile Trim Around a Fireplace?

The biggest benefit of using tile trim around a fireplace, especially on the hearth, is safety. Tile is nonflammable, which is a necessity for fireplace trim, or else a tragic house fire could ignite. Even if the rest of your floor is covered with a different material, tile is one of the best choices for the hearth.

There are many different types of tile available, so you have plenty of options. Stone tiles are naturally fireproof and give an organic look to your fireplace but can be more expensive. Ceramic tiles, which include porcelain tiles, offer many colour varieties and can even mimic the appearance of stone and other materials. Glass tiles can reflect firelight beautifully, while metal tiles can give your fireplace a more modern look. Regardless of the material, tiles come in different sizes and shapes. You can combine them in various patterns to create a unique look.

Between the smoke, ash, and cinders, fireplaces can be messy. Tiles are easy to clean and maintain. In fact, some of the best tiles for fireplaces are those intended for kitchen backsplashes. These are designed to be both resistant to heat and easy to clean.

The fireplace may no longer be the center of the home, but it is the focal point of the room. A creative tile trim can give it some style and make what can seem an antiquated feature seem fresh. Whether you want your fireplace to be classic and traditional or modern and contemporary, you can find a tile that gives the desired effect. You can also use tile trim to create an entirely new style for your fireplace.

Call Handyman Connection for Home Renovations in Brantford

We are a home renovation service that can refurbish your fireplace alone, if that is the extent of your ambitions, or remodel your entire home if it is time for a fresh start. Learn more about all the services we offer in Brantford.