Fireplace update: Can I put stone or tile over granite?

April 11, 2015

Hi, We have remodeled the kitchen and family room. The last little step is to give a facelift to the fireplace. I just want to not have this granite surround anymore. The chimney cleaner is coming next week, we're getting new logs and a new screen, so all that will be updated. What I need to know is if I can gove on top of the granite with a new materials (stone, tile, etc) without removing the granite. Sounds like that would be easier than removing the granite. Would the materials stick/stay?

Comments (16)

PRO
Mint Tile LLC
Yes you can, There's certain methods and decisions to make, but if you hire a Qualified tile installer they will quickly be able to handle this project.

If you go it DIY you will want to scarify the granite with mechanical means and choose wisely your Thinset and tile combination.
April 11, 2015
renovator8
Adding stone or tile might look odd at the inner and outer edges. To do a good job you might need to remove the mantel and stone especially if you want to change the hearth as well..
April 11, 2015
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PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
There is no tile on earth that would look better than that.
April 11, 2015
mamaloukos
Your fireplace and the granite are stunning...I wouldn't touch anything there except what you are already doing (new screen and cleaning are about it). The expression "leave good enough alone" comes to mind although I think yours is BEAUTIFUL not just good. You could put brick face there but I would not bother because what you already have is a cleaner more modern look. As the previous poster said, you would have to rip it out to do a really good job (so it doesn't look built up).
April 13, 2015
ssdarb
Thanks for all the input. I'll leave it alone for a while.
April 13, 2015
kudzu9
Good to hear. That fireplace is classic and elegant. Tiling it over would be tragic, and probably look like a hack job.
April 13, 2015
beth09
In total agreement with those who say it's beautiful as is. It is! No need to reface. (and this is coming from one who desperately wants to tile over her really not attractive brick fireplace) I'd give anything to have mine look like yours. :)
April 14, 2015last modified: April 14, 2015
tesscee123
I don't think she asked for everyone's opinion about her design choices; she was looking for advice on the mechanics of executing her design choice. Taste is a highly personal thing....
January 27, 2017
kudzu9
I don't think it hurts to express an opinion that it might be a mistake to mess with something so classy. In any case, I suspect that the OP has probably made a decision and moved on in the 20 months since this was first posted.
January 27, 2017
JDS
Its silly to claim responses to questions must not stray beyond what the OP asked. When people ask a question on the internet they should be prepared for advice about every aspect of the issue.
January 27, 2017last modified: January 28, 2017
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
tsscee123:

Fair enough. I would have the OP tile over cement board that fit over the existing granite. She would have the tile she loved and the original fabric would remain in place undamaged if a new owner prefers granite.
January 28, 2017
PRO
Mint Tile LLC
And Joe? how are you going to bond the CBU to the granite again? pretty sure it needs be bonded with thinset or anchored every 6" with tapcons, you have peaked my interest..
January 28, 2017last modified: January 28, 2017
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
Who says it needs to be bonded? Push a little silicone around the edges. Your drunken brother-in-law isn't going to be able to move it. Much.
January 28, 2017
PRO
Mint Tile LLC
Kind of A florida cowboy move, while i cant condone it...I like it and you know i like silicone
January 28, 2017last modified: January 29, 2017
Dajenya Kafele
I have opposite problem/question. My house came with fireplace that has 8" tall hearth with slab on top which seems to be sandstone, and which now has a hole in it the size of a few quarters. I never liked the color anyway, and I would like to have granite instead. It seems the easiest least expensive make-over would be to just put a slab of granite on top of the sandstone (with mortar in between). Is this feasible, or is the sandstone too weak to support the granite?
December 22, 2017
kudzu9
They make buildings out of sandstone. The pharaohs had temples constructed from it. Your hearth being able to support a piece of granite is not an issue: Sandstone monuments
December 22, 2017last modified: December 22, 2017