Fireplace Edge Tiles Explained
Fireplace edge tiles are the shaped pieces that finish a hearth or fireplace. A flat field tile covers the middle, but the front edge, the corners and any raised kerb need tiles with rounded edges. Getting these right is the difference between a hearth that looks finished and one with sharp cut edges.
Edge tiles are usually sold by short codes such as RE, REX and REO. This guide explains what each code means and where each tile goes.
Fireplace tile codes explained
PLN: plain edged tile
A flat tile with no rounded edges. It fills the main area of a hearth or panel, where no edge is visible. We make 4 inch and 6 inch square PLN tiles, plus rectangular sizes such as 6 x 2 inch and 4 1/4 x 2 1/8 inch.
RE: single rounded edge
A square tile with one rounded edge. It runs along the front of a hearth made from square tiles, so the visible edge is smooth rather than cut. Available as 4 inch RE and 6 inch RE. Round edged tiles like these were widely used in the 1920s and 1930s.
REX: double rounded edge, for corners
A square tile with two rounded edges that meet at a corner. It finishes the outside corner of a square tiled hearth. The 4 inch REX was first mass produced in the 1920s, and there is also a 6 inch REX.
REL and RES: round edges on rectangular tiles
Rectangular hearths need edge tiles in two forms. An REL tile has the rounded edge along its long side, for the perimeter of the hearth. An RES tile has the rounded edge along its short end.
When rectangular tiles are laid cross bonded, like brickwork, every other row ends on a short edge, so you need RES tiles to finish those rows. We make 6 x 2 inch REL, 6 x 2 inch RES, 6 x 3 inch REL and 6 x 3 inch RES.
REXh: handed corner pairs
An REXh tile has two rounded edges and forms a curved corner on a rectangular tiled hearth. Because left and right corners are mirror images, they are sold as handed pairs. They are used with REL and RES tiles. See the 6 x 2 inch REXh pair and the 6 x 3 inch REXh pair.
REO: kerb tiles with rounded edges on opposite sides
An REO tile has rounded edges on two opposite sides. It is mostly used to build a raised kerb around a hearth, and was widely made during the Art Deco period. We make a 4 x 4 inch REO kerb tile and a 6 x 3 inch REO kerb tile.
REXr: kerb corner tiles
An REXr tile has two adjacent rounded edges, plus a small reveal in the opposite corner. That reveal lets it sit neatly where two kerbs meet, so it is used to form 90 degree corners in a raised kerb. Available as a 3 x 3 inch REXr and a 4 inch REXr.
Bullnose opening tiles
Bullnose opening tiles curve back into the fireplace opening by about 2 inches, so they wrap the edge of the opening rather than stopping flat. They are made thicker and stronger than ordinary tiles because they sit right next to the fire. See the 4 inch square bullnose and the 6 x 4 inch bullnose, or browse all opening tiles.
Which edge tiles does your hearth need?
- Flat hearth in square tiles: PLN in the middle, RE along the front and sides, REX on the outside corners
- Flat hearth in 6 x 2 or 6 x 3 tiles: PLN in the middle, REL along the edges, RES at the row ends, REXh pairs on rounded corners
- Raised kerb: REO kerb tiles along the run, with REXr tiles at the corners
- Fireplace opening: opening tiles or bullnose tiles around the fire itself
Why hearths have raised kerbs
Edwardian hearths were often laid flush with the floor, and a separate fender stopped embers from escaping. From around 1918, raised edges were built into the tiled hearth itself, which is why kerb tiles are so common on Art Deco fireplaces. Our guide to fireplace tiles by period covers the styles in more detail.
Shop fireplace edge and kerb tiles
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4 Inch Single Round Edge Tile (RE), Glazed
£4.65 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
4 Inch Double Round Edge Corner Tile (REX), Glazed
£5.30 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
6 x 2 Inch Round Edge Tile (REL), Glazed
£7.90 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
6 x 2 Inch Round Edge Tile (RES), Glazed
£5.95 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
6 x 2 Inch Round Edge Corner Tiles (REXh), Glazed Pair
£18.50 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
4 x 4 Inch Fender Kerb Tile (REO), Glazed
£19.50 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
6 x 3 Inch Fender Kerb Tile (REO), Glazed
£21.50 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
3 x 3 Inch Fender Corner Tile (REXr), Glazed
£23.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Edge tiles: common questions
What does REX mean on a fireplace tile?
REX means a tile with two rounded edges meeting at a corner. It is used on the outside corners of a hearth.
What is the difference between REL and RES?
Both are rectangular tiles with one rounded edge. On an REL tile the rounded edge runs along the long side. On an RES tile it runs along the short end.
Can you cut edge tiles to size?
Yes. We offer tile cutting at £1 per cut, with hand finished edges. It is worth doing on any tile with a rounded or tapered edge.
How do I plan a full hearth?
Read our step by step guide on how to tile a fireplace hearth, then use our fireplace tile calculator.