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You are here: Home / building project / How to Build a Fireplace Surround Covering Tile

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How to Build a Fireplace Surround Covering Tile

Fireplace makeover-Phase three: An easy to follow, DIY tutorial on how to build a fireplace surround.

I saved the best for last. My favorite part of the Fireplace Makeover was covering up that dated, ugly tile. I purposely saved this step as a grand finale to myself! After all, that tile is the primary reason I have wanted (since we moved into this house 12 years ago) to update our fireplace. I have never liked it and I’m happy to say, it is GONE! Well, it’s still there, but you can’t see it anymore. 🙂 Not all of it anyway. So, how did I do it? By building a fireplace surround….Let’s get to the details….

But first, as I’ve done with all of the posts in this series (Phase 1; Phase 2), a quick

BEFORE…

fireplace makeover before pic

and AFTER….

fireplace decorated for spring

How to Build a Fireplace Surround Covering Tile

Materials Needed:

MDF Board (amount needed is dependent upon project)

Sharpie

Gorilla Construction Adhesive    (Affiliate Link)

Caulk

Primer      (Affiliate Link)

Paint

Tools Needed:

Table saw

Miter saw

Step One: Outline where MDF will go

Draw on your tile the outline of where you want your MDF to go, using a sharpie. I chose to expose some of my tile and not cover up all of it.

Step Two: Cut MDF to fit

Using your table saw, cut MDF to fit in space outlined in step one.

Step Three: Attach MDF

Attach MDF with Gorilla Construction Adhesive. Just as a side note, I did my homework on this glue and learned that it is one of, if not the strongest, adhesive available on the market. It worked very well. I do highly recommend it.  (Affiliate Link)

MDF board with adhesive

Attach all pieces with your adhesive…

MDF added to tile on fireplace

Step Four: Outline trim design 

Determine the design you want your fireplace to have. I found it easiest to draw out this design on my MDF boards…

MDF added to tile on fireplace

Then I was able to cut the right size needed for all of my trim work….

MDF added to tile on fireplace

This is the pattern I mapped out….

MDF added to tile on fireplace

Step Five: Caulk, Caulk, Caulk

Caulk all of those seams!!

MDF added to tile on fireplace

Step Six: Prime MDF

MDF is very absorbent, so it is helpful and ensures less work (who doesn’t like that?) if you prime before you paint. This is the primer I like to use…

primer used for fireplace

As you can see, I also primed my tile that I kept exposed….

fireplace painted white with primer

Step Seven: Paint

Next, I painted my exposed tile gray (Sherwin Williams Peppercorn)…

fireplace painted with primer and gray paint

Then I painted all of my MDF with Sherwin Williams Extra White.

fireplace painted white and gray

I wasn’t real wild about the faux wood handles on my fireplace doors, so I painted those too….

Can I just say, I am loving the new look of our fireplace!! And it only took 3 simple phases to get the fireplace I have been dreaming of. So worth it!! And the best part–I did it!! Think of all the money I saved. And the satisfaction of knowing that I built that–so rewarding!

family room

Don’t forget to PIN THIS tutorial to your Pinterest boards…

before and after of a fireplace makeover

Until next time,

Happy Building, Friend!!

Be sure to join my VIP List below and never miss an upcoming post.

Fireplace Makeover Series:

Fireplace Makeover from Contemporary to Modern Farmhouse

How to Build a Faux Wood Beam Mantel

How to Build a Raised Fireplace Hearth

 

 

 

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4 Comments

« How to Build a Faux Wood Beam Mantel
Craftsman Garage Doors-Get the Look Without All the Costs »

Comments

  1. JA says

    November 15, 2020 at 5:54 pm

    Is this safe to get so hot from the fireplace?

    Reply
    • Nicole Nigg says

      November 17, 2020 at 4:05 pm

      I recommend, to keep it to fire code, only use these plans with an electric fireplace. An idea would be to cover with brick, stone, or tile.
      ~Nicole

      Reply
  2. Jennifer says

    October 30, 2021 at 10:56 pm

    What is the thickness/size of the boards you used?

    Reply
    • Nicole Nigg says

      November 1, 2021 at 1:20 pm

      Hi Jennifer,
      I used 1x’s for all of my trim work on this project. Let me know if you have any other questions.
      ~Nicole

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Nicole

nicole

Through the changes of life and home, God remains the same. I am a mom, wife, blogger, builder, home designer, D.I.Y.er and inspirer.

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