How to Tile a Fireplace Surround With Marble

Lay the tiles out in a dry layout. A dry layout consists of laying the tiles without mortar to determine placement, cuts, pattern and grout lines. Lay the first tile in the center of the area directly above the firebox. Lay the next tiles equally out to either side, before laying the tiles for the legs of the surround. Blend the marble tiles so that the veins and color create a pleasing appearance.

Mark any tiles you need to cut with a straight edge and pencil. Cut the tiles on a tile saw and return them to the dry layout to double-check fit before tiling.

Spread a small amount of white thin set on the area you are tiling. Comb the thin set with the grooved edge of the trowel until the ridges are uniform in height. Lay the tiles in the pattern determined by your dry layout, starting with a full tile centered in the area directly above the center of the firebox. Press each tile into the thin set and twist it slightly to set it in place and ensure a good bond.

Allow the thin set to cure for 24 hours and then seal the tiles with a silicone-based, impregnating sealer. Use a foam paint brush to cover the tiles with sealer, wait one hour and then wipe off the excess with a lint-free cloth.

Grout the tiles by packing the joints between the tiles with grout using a grout float. Wipe off the excess grout with a damp sponge, taking care not to over-wet or "wash" the grout, as this can lead to a reduction in color. Allow the grout to cure for an additional 24 hours.