Can anyone offer me any advice on tiling a fireplace please?
The tiles haven't been bought yet, but I will be tiling around an open fire place on to a recently plastered (brick) surface. Are there any pitfalls I should be watching out for? Any particular material/type of tile? The best way to lay the tiles out and the best adheshive and grout to use that will withstand the temperature variations? Many thanks in advance

Is the plaster going to be subject to high temperatures and if so is it plaster or render?

Are you talking within the fire place or outside of it

I believe it is plaster, i've not had a look at the job yet. I think it is just the wall surrounding the fireplace facing into the room that is to be tiled and won't be subject to really high temps, although there will be quite a fluctuation.

Originally Posted by jimmybutterit

I believe it is plaster, i've not had a look at the job yet. I think it is just the wall surrounding the fireplace facing into the room that is to be tiled and won't be subject to really high temps, although there will be quite a fluctuation.

Ok - If it is just around the outer rim of the fireplace sounds like in terms of substrate itself not too much of an issue. If it is gypsum plaster and was going to get very hot, over a period of time it tends to dessicate and crack. Have seen this happen when the inside of the fireplace is plastered with gypsum plaster.

As no real issues to concern me with the substrate over to the pro tilers for the advice on that bit.

dont use bucket materials thats about it really, cement based materials

What tiles are you fixing

Originally Posted by whitebeam

What tiles are you fixing

I'm not sure on what tiles as yet. It's for my father in law so any advice on tile selection would be gratefully received. I have concerns on how to finish the outside and inside edge of the tiling, is there any trim you would recommend or is it best to use tiles with rounded edges?

my advice for inner surround recommend brass to overlap the tiles will do away with issue of plaster problem , if you aint tiling inside

it looks far better if you use the same around the front , but there is many choices out there, stainless steal is other option

Originally Posted by marbleman

my advice for inner surround recommend brass to overlap the tiles will do away with issue of plaster problem , if you aint tiling inside

I'm not sure what you mean by using brass. Is it just a sheet or a pre-formed trim? Forgive my lack of knowledge on this subject.

Pre formed trim