If you have an out-of-date brick fireplace but do not have the funds to remove it, why not consider a makeover? Tiling over a brick fireplace creates a very modern, attractive look, and better still, it doesn’t cost the earth!

Here is a short guide to tiling over a brick fireplace:

1.    Purchase tiles from the DIY store. Preparation will be a messy job and a lot of dust will be generated, especially if bricks need to be cut. Remove all furniture from the room if possible and place protective covering on the floor. Don’t forget the dust mask!

2.    Prepare brick for tiling using a grinder. The grinder removes dirt and loose paint and roughens the brick so that the mortar will effectively adhere to the surface. If there are any overhanging or protruding bricks, these will have to be cut off in order to form a flush surface for the tiles to sit on. Bricks can be cut with a circular saw and a diamond blade, used for cutting stone or concrete. Fill in any joints using a margin trowel.

3.    Before the tiles are set in place, you will need to determine how they will be arranged. Firstly, locate and mark the centre of the fireplace – you need to decide whether it looks better to have two tiles meeting at the centre or whether one tile should sit there. Generally, the best option is the one that leaves the largest piece of tile at each end.

4.    Prepare the mortar. The type needed is called thin set mortar, and this can be mixed with an acrylic additive instead of water to increase the strength. When the mortar is mixed, it is important to let it rest for 10 minutes prior to use.

5.    Apply mortar to the back of each tile with the margin trowel and then use a notched trowel to create the ridges that will ensure the mortar forms a uniform thickness across the back of the tile (repeat this process on the corresponding brick surface for vertical tiles). When set in place, insert joint spacers between each tile to ensure a neat finish when grouting. When all tiles are in place, leave the mortar overnight to set. Grouting can be done the following day.

6.    It is important to mix grout consistently, in order to achieve the smooth finish needed. Use a grout float to force the grout into joints and also to take off any excess. After joints are filled, carefully wipe any grout from the tiles with a damp sponge. Be careful not to remove grout from joints.

7.    Add chosen mantel.

Tiling over a brick fireplace is both cost effective and home effective, as seen on the photos!

Bricks are ideally suited to the construction of fireplaces due to their heat resistance properties, and rustic brick fireplaces were around as early as Roman times. The Victorian architect M H Baillie-Scott (1865-1945) described the cast iron grate as ‘ugly’ and called the inglenook fireplace ‘an example of that simple homely dignity of style which should be aimed at’.

An inglenook fireplace – a deeply recessed fireplace lined with bricks – was to be found in many a farmhouse kitchen. This often had seats built into the corner and was a place where the whole family kept warm. With the invention of the gas-burning fire came a wider choice of mantels, and the brick fireplace’s popularity fell. However, in recent years, brick mantels and fireplaces have come back into vogue.

Today, there are many brick fireplace designs and many materials to choose from – reclaimed bricks and rustic pointing can make a newly-built fireplace appear completely authentic, and these brick fireplaces are in high demand, especially in period properties. Similarly, the inclusion of a brick arch over a fireplace can add character and tradition.

Brick fireplaces are traditionally seen in older homes, but they can make a beautiful addition to the modern home also. Today, bricks are available in a wide choice of textures and colours, making it possible to incorporate attractive patterns and designs into any brick fireplace. Brick tiles are also available – these are only 1” thick, yet when laid they have the appearance of solid brick.

Like bricks, brick tiles are available in a wide choice of colours and these are ideal for transforming a tired-looking fire surround or chimneybreast. Pointing compounds come in a wide range of colours, meaning that a brick fireplace can complement any room and decor, whether traditional or modern.

Another material used for fireplaces and mantels that is similar to brick is stone – stone mantels look stylish in both traditional and contemporary settings. If you have an out-of-date brick fireplace, consider keeping the fire, but add a stone mantel for a stylish and contemporary look. When the design is right, there is no doubt that brick fireplaces make a beautiful focal point for any room.