Fireplace Makeover - Improving the Ambiance of a Room

When you have your own home and a fireplace, there are times when you may wish to do a fireplace makeover in order to change or improve your fireplace mantel into something more either by strengthening or beautifying its brick. When you have decided to do so, and all the materials have been prepared, you can start the makeover immediately. But there is part of the process which is often ignored by people, and it is emptying out the room and provide as much spaces as you can for the fireplace. Cutting bricks and tearing out old wood during a fireplace makeover is really messy and whatever object left exposed to the air would become filthy very quick.

Using a pry bar is best when removing any wood trim from a fireplace. Remove the wood slowly and carefully if you wish to use the same wood again for your fireplace. Otherwise, tear it down and use it as a fuel for your outdoor fire. During the old tiles or stone removal process, there is a great chance that you will see some bricks behind the facing. These bricks should stay in place when performing any fireplace makeover because they are part of the basic fireplace and form the fire block to the interior walls.

During this process, check the integrity of anything that may come into direct contact with the fire, be it the bricks, mortar, stone, or whatever material you've used for your fireplace. This step is very important and must never be skipped because this is your only chance to take a closer look at the inside of your fireplace structure. A fireplace is made of certain unique materials for the purpose to withstand very high temperatures. So if you see a cracked brick, you must replace a new one. Any cracks in the mortar would need to be repaired as well, and it is important to use a fire proof mortar because regular cement won't be able to withstand the heat.

Treating Tiles like Elaborate Glue Job

Once you have removed the old surface, you may need to prep the new surface to fit the new tiles or bricks. Grind smooth any rough spots you see on the bricks and fill and smooth out any noticeable cracks between the bricks as well before you can proceed on the fireplace makeover.

Form a thin layer using the tile cement when the new surface has been prepared, to insure an even layer of cement, use a notched trowel. Then, put a layer of cement on the back of the tile using a smooth trowel chosen for the fireplace makeover, after that create an even coating using the notched trowel. Place the tile in place and hold for a few seconds until the two layers of tile cement produce a bond.

After all the tile is in place, add the finishing strips, wood or tile and be sure to wait the time recommended by the tile manufacturer before lighting a fire in the new fireplace. The fireplace makeover will invite attention as friends enter the room due to its new, updated appearance.