How to Tile a Fireplace Hearth

Learning how to tile a fireplace hearth is mostly about planning. The tiling itself is not difficult, but a hearth sits in front of a working fire, so the tile, the adhesive and the layout all matter more than on a kitchen floor. This guide walks through each step, from checking the rules to fixing the last edge tile.

Before you start: what you need

• Hearth tiles, plus matching edge tiles for the front and sides
• Heat resistant tile adhesive, not standard tile adhesive
• Diluted PVA to seal the backs of porous tiles
• A notched trowel, a spirit level, a straight edge and a tape measure
• A clean bucket and sponge

Looking for ideas? Our tiled hearth gallery shows finished hearths and the tiles used for each one.

How to tile a fireplace hearth, step by step

Step 1: Check what your hearth needs to be

If the fireplace is for a working solid fuel fire or stove, the hearth is not just a design choice. Its size, thickness and how far it projects in front of the appliance are covered by Approved Document J in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own rules.

Check the current guidance for your appliance, or ask your HETAS installer, before you buy any tiles. It is far easier to get the size right now than to extend a finished hearth.

Step 2: Choose the right hearth tiles

For a hearth in regular use, unglazed quarry tiles are the usual choice. They are classed as porcelain, extremely durable, and have no glaze to craze. For a decorative or period hearth, glazed hearth tiles give the colour and shine of an original Victorian or Edwardian fireplace.

Our guide to fireplace hearth tiles covers the choice in more detail.

Step 3: Measure the hearth and plan the layout

Measure the finished hearth area. Then decide on the pattern. Rectangular tiles such as 6 x 2 inch and 4 1/4 x 2 1/8 inch were traditionally laid cross bonded, like brickwork, while square tiles are laid in a simple grid.

Plan the layout so the front edge and the visible sides use whole tiles with finished edges. Any cut tiles should sit at the back, against the fireplace, where they are least noticed. our fireplace tile calculator helps with the numbers.

Step 4: Order tiles, edge pieces and spares

Order the field tiles, the round edge tiles for the front, and corner tiles if the hearth has rounded corners or a raised kerb. Add at least one spare of each type, because the next batch through the kiln may be a slightly different shade.

Our glazed tiles are made to order, usually in 4 to 5 working weeks, or 5 to 6 weeks for hand dipped tiles. If a tile needs cutting, we can cut it for you at £1 per cut, with the edges hand finished.

Step 5: Get the base ready

The hearth base must be solid, flat, clean and dry. Any dust, old adhesive or loose material will stop the new tiles bonding properly. Check it with a straight edge and fix any dips or high spots before you start.

Step 6: Mix the shades and prepare the tiles

Open all the boxes and lay the tiles out in daylight before fixing. Hand made and hand glazed tiles vary in shade, so mixing them across the hearth gives an even, natural look rather than a patch of lighter tiles in one corner.

Our fireplace tiles are very porous. Sealing the backs with diluted PVA aids adhesion and helps to prevent crazing. Wetting the backs just before laying also stops a dry layer forming between the tile and the adhesive.

Step 7: Fix the tiles with heat resistant adhesive

Use a heat resistant adhesive. Standard tile adhesive is not made for repeated heating and cooling, so it loses its grip and the tiles start to lift, often after the first winter. Follow the adhesive manufacturer’s instructions for mixing and setting times.

Start with the front edge tiles, so the most visible line is straight and true, then work back towards the fireplace. Check the level as you go.

Step 8: Finish the joints and edges

We lay our own hearth tiles tight together, without wide grout gaps, which gives a clean and traditional finish. If you do use grout, be careful with coloured grout, as some can stain the back of the tile and show under the glaze. Test it first on a spare tile.

Leave the hearth to set fully, as the adhesive maker advises, before lighting the fire.

Common mistakes when tiling a hearth

• Using standard tile adhesive, which fails with heat
• Using bathroom or kitchen tiles, which are not made for a fireplace
• Cutting tiles at the front edge instead of the back
• Not ordering spares, then finding a new batch is a different shade
• Fixing tiles straight from one box without mixing the shades

Tiles and fixings for your hearth

Hearth tiling: common questions

Can I tile over an existing hearth?

Only if the existing surface is solid, flat and well bonded, and the finished hearth still meets the rules for your appliance. Loose or cracked tiles should come off first.

What adhesive should I use on a fireplace hearth?

A heat resistant tile adhesive. We supply Vitcas heat resistant tile adhesive, rated to 1000°C. See heat resistant tiles for fireplaces for why the adhesive matters as much as the tile.

Do hearth tiles need grout?

Not always. We lay our hearth tiles tight together without wide grout gaps. If you prefer grout, test coloured grout on a spare tile first.

How do I replace one cracked hearth tile?

See our step by step guide to replacing a cracked fireplace tile.