Many Arlington living rooms are built around a brick fireplace or a builder-grade surround with a few rows of dated tile. Retiling it is one of the most effective small projects in a home: modest in area, large in effect.
We tile fireplace surrounds, hearths and full-height fireplace walls for wood-burning, gas and electric units.
What Can Be Tiled
The scope can be as small or as bold as you like.
- The surround: the band of noncombustible material framing the firebox opening
- The hearth, flush with the floor or raised
- A floor-to-ceiling feature wall above and around the fireplace
- Over existing brick, after flattening it with a mortar skim or backer board
- A new surround for a linear gas or electric fireplace
Details That Matter Around Heat
The area immediately around a firebox gets hot, so we use cement-based mortar rated for the temperature and noncombustible backing. Clearances to a wood mantel and to combustible trim are set by code and by the fireplace manufacturer, and we check them before designing the layout.
A fireplace has many outside corners. We finish them with mitered edges or a slim metal profile so no raw tile edge shows, and center the layout on the opening so both sides match.
Tile Choices
Large-format porcelain or a porcelain slab gives a seamless, modern look. Stacked 3x12 tile, marble, slate and handmade ceramic suit traditional rooms. A herringbone or mosaic panel inside a simple frame makes a strong feature.
Need something else? Browse all tile services, or learn more about your local tile contractor in Arlington, VA.
