Should the hearth frame be built on top of the existing tile or should the tile be removed and anchored to the subfloor for restoring the wood burning fireplace?
Asked by Ivana Perišić 
2 months ago
Last Updated: October 16, 2024
Hey there! So, when we moved into our house, the previous owners had replaced the wood burning fireplace with an electric one. We’re thinking of bringing back the wood burning fireplace and putting in a hearth.
Do you think it’s okay to build the frame for the hearth on top of the existing tile, or do you think I should remove the tile and secure it to the subfloor instead?
Thanks for your help in advance!
You can mark where the tile needs to be cut to fit in place, then just use a grinder and a tile saw blade to make the cut instead of removing entire tiles and replacing them. The only issue I foresee with tiling over existing tile is the potential difficulty of replacing the floor in the future… it also depends on the material you are working with.
Hey John, I was just thinking about how if we or future owners ever decide to change the tile. Also, the advice on using a grinder and tile saw blade is exactly what I needed. Your comment was really helpful, thank you!
Another possibility I can consider is constructing a removable one…perhaps one that slides out of the path or can even double as a bench somewhere else if needed…haha…okay, I’ll stop brainstorming now and focus on my actual work…Have a blessed day!
There isn’t enough space for a hearth, but a mantel would work, just not a hearth.
To me, seems like he agrees.
If you take a closer look, I also removed the pre-installed bookshelves, providing a generous 17″ of space within the alcove.
Mentioned that no flammable materials should be within 12 inches or something. I don’t think it will work with wood; it has to be tile or stone for safety. Wood can only be used for the mantle.
The idea is to use tile or stone, maybe even brick to match the exterior of the house.