If your chimney walls aren't in great condition you can always use heat-resistant boards to give you a stable tiling surface. Inspiration: 3 hot looks for your home As with tile surfaces, your grout joints are at risk of becoming stained and discoloured by ash and other detritus associated with open fires, so it’s always a good idea to protect them. Grout joints within natural stone and polished tile installations will be sealed just along with the tiles themselves if you’ve gone down the sealing route, however, you can protect just the grout even those installations that don’t require sealing. We recommend our LTP Grout Protectors for the job. When browsing options, make sure the material is suitable for the room you plan to install it. Why? Tiles applied to walls in a bathroom or kitchen will have different requirements than those used for something like an entryway accent wall.

Vitcas Heat Resistant Tile Adhesive, a ready-mixed adhesive specially formulated to meet the demands of high-temperature environments where conventional tile adhesives fall short. Designed for long-term tile retention, this product is the perfect solution for a range of applications from fire surrounds to kitchen equipment and radiators. Key Features: Concrete Slab:For both dry and wet installations choose a latex thinset. Other options for dry installations are organic mastic or a water-mixed thinset.Another stunning way to add rustic charm to any room is to add a wooden beam as a mantelpiece to the top of the fireplace. The Heat Resistant Tile Adhesive should not be used as a grout. For grouting needs, utilise VITCAS Heat Resistant Tile Grout. If you’ve opted to use tiles with a polished finish in your fire surround then do ensure that you seal them if required. The manufacturers instructions will stipulate whether the tiles need sealing or not – tiles with this kind of finish often require such an action so as to prevent them from staining. Whilst most porcelain tiles are impervious to organic matter, those with highly polished surfaces and porous tiles such as those constructed from natural stone like limestone and slate will be susceptible to staining by ash, soot or damage from an errant ember, so please do seal them. We recommend LTP Porcelain Tile Protector for the job. Use Heat Resistant Adhesive & Grout Suitable for a Variety of Tiles: This adhesive can be used with porous tiles, marble, granite, or slate after appropriate surface sealing. Tile adhesive is the substance used to hold the tiles to the setting bed. Typically there are two major types: organic mastic and thinset adhesive. Organic mastics are made with either latex or petroleum and are ready to use. Thinset adhesives are powdered and need to be mixed with liquid before they can be used. While organic mastic is much more convenient to use, thinset adhesives actually have a higher bond strength as well as weight-bearing strength. Wall Tile Adhesive Vs. Floor Tile Adhesive

We love the combination of a base of grey slate tiles, contrasted with the rustic texture of split-face tiles on the wall.

On Top of Old Tiles:For both dry and wet installations use an epoxy thinset or a latex thinset. How to Remove Tile Adhesive Pay attention to the size as well. Beyond the size of the individual tiles, note the dimensions of each self-adhesive sheet or piece, which might have anywhere from eight to 50 tiles on it, depending on the scale.

PALACE Heat-Resist is a polymer-fortified adhesive, designed to provide a high strength, durable bond in areas where tiles are installed around a radiant source of heat which does not reach temperatures in excess of 250°C. This is typical of conditions found around domestic installations such as a log burning fire, cooking range/stove or a traditional Aga Oven. It is a pale grey powder based blend incorporating special hydraulic binders which produces a non-slump, fast setting paste suitable for fixing ceramic, porcelain and vitrified tiles in areas surrounding a radiant source of heat. PALACE Heat-Resist should only be used for fixing tiles onto solid masonry surfaces or cement board structures which are stable when exposed to high temperatures. Note: It is essential to confirm that all tiles selected for use in this type of location are similarly heat resistant This adhesive is intended for internal use only. For external applications, consider using Vitcas HB60. Vitcas Heat Resistant Tile Adhesive is a ready mixed tile adhesive specially formulated for use high-temperature areas such as around the fireplace, behind wood-burning stoves, ranges, radiators, and boilers. The adhesive is made of a non-combustible inorganic material with a high-temperature resistance of up to 1000°C, ensuring a safe and secure bonding. Drywall:A latex thinset is the best choice but a water-mixed thinset or organic mastic could also be used.

The adhesive is suitable for use with a wide range of materials including ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, and mosaics. You'll need a steady supply of firewood to keep your wood burner roaring. Why not upcycle an old bookcase and place it nearby to not only add to the overall charm of the burner but keep the extra fuel to hand when you need it. Porcelain tiles work in a very similar fashion because of their density and how they're manufactured.

Plywood:For both dry and wet installations an epoxy thinset or a latex thinset is specifically made for plywood.Versatile Application: Ideal for use with fire surrounds, behind boilers, ranges, cookers, and radiators. For application on fresh cement or plaster surfaces, ensure you also seal that surface with VITCAS PVA for optimal results. The matching rug complements the stove nicely and draws even more attention to the centre of the room. 2. Wooden beams are an alcoves best friend