Tiling a Brick Wood Burning Stove Hearth

Clean the brick with a spray bottle filled with water and wet sponge.

Lay plastic sheeting around the area and secure with painters tape to protect surrounding flooring.

Apply a coat of thin-set over the brick using a straight edge trowel. Push the thin-set into the grout seams between the brick until a smooth surface is achieved. You may need to apply a second coat to achieve a completely smooth surface. Dry overnight.

Lay a test run of tiles on the hearth. Begin in the center and working your way to the edges. Leave spaces to allow for grout. Mark any necessary lines for cuts on the tiles as you proceed. Mark the flooring where the tiles will be placed using a pencil.

Cut all tiles that need cutting with a tile saw. Wear safety goggles and ear plugs while cutting.

Mix dry thin-set with latex adhesive, according to the packaging, in a clean bucket. Using a 3/16-inch v-notch trowel, apply a layer of thin-set over the hearth surface. Cut grooves into the thin-set using the v-notch trowel.

Lay the tile into the thin-set following your predetermined pattern. Do not lay cut tiles to the edges until all full tiles have been placed. Use spacers between the tiles to allow for grout lines.

Level the tiles using a carpenter’s level. Make adjustments by adding thin-set under tiles if they are too low, or pushing the tiles down into the thin set if they are too high.

Remove excess thin-set from the cracks and allow to dry for 24 hours.

Mix the grout according to manufacturer’s directions.

Remove the spacers and fill in the joints with grout using a grout float. Apply grout in back and forth, and up and down motions, by pushing the grout into the cracks, until all cracks are evenly filled. Remove any excess grout. Dry for one hour.

Wipe the tiled surface in a circular motion using a damp grout sponge. When clean, allow to dry for 12 hours.

Buff the tiles with a clean, dry rag to remove the haze. Dry for 24 to 36 hours before using.