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…

and AFTER….

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)

Attach all pieces with your adhesive…

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…

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

This is the pattern I mapped out….

Step Five: Caulk, Caulk, Caulk

Caulk all of those seams!!

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…

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

Step Seven: Paint

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

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

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!