We have an old fireplace that we'd like to put back into use. We've found a surround big enough, and currently looking for fire basket etc.

But what to do to the inside? Can it be left as plaster, or can I tile over the plaster? Do you need special tiles for fireplaces or can any tiles be used (ceramic).

I was told by the chap that plastered the room (not the fireplace that was already done) that the plaster might crack under the heat and fall off, and to put some fireproof plasterboard over whats there, then tile over that.

Concrete floor, again just tile over the top? I know you can get heatproof tile cement and caulk, just don't know about the other stuff.

Seems it has been used at some point as there is soot marks on the plaster at the back (which only goes up level with the front hole), but not for a few good years.

Opinions please?

 

yeah id say it would pop the plaster off with a fire basket. i would just knock it back to brick render it its said sulfacrete is the cement to use for this but ive used opc and just as the render is drying firm to touch scratch tile/block effect into it using a nail+straight edge and then soft brush it

 

you could always light a fire in there and get it rageing hot to see

 

Plaster will crack for definate, anyface around a fire / chimney should be sand & cement definatly no platerboard

not sure on the tiling though im sure any tile will be fine its just the adhesive you wanna worry about

 

cheers guys. The only thing thats worrying me if is there is some big ass holes in the bricks behind the plaster.

Can I sulphcrete over the plaster? Would tiles protect the plaster if I tiled the whole of the inside and the floor?

 

I personally just wouldnt plaster around it because it will crack!

There is a certain type of board you can get that wont crack though, but it isnt your usual plasterboard.

 

first you want to get it smoke tested to see what condition your flue is in as could cost a lot to put right and all your other work wasteful, then make sure you've got a class A cowell on top of chimney, as to tiles you can get stronger ones designed for direct heat local tile suppliers should be able to help out and i'd get it sand and cemented with fire cement inside the hole and tile striaght on to it with fire tile adhesive( look on mapei web site) not sure thats spelt right