Inexpensive Fireplace Design Ideas
Tiling a Fireplace With Lots of Style for Little Money
Oct 26, 2009
Most fireplace surrounds and hearths do not need a great deal of tile, making them among the more inexpensive design areas in the home. For homeowners truly hoping to keep costs to a minimum, here are some fireplace designs that won’t break the bank.
Use Slate Tiles
For homeowners hoping to use natural stone, or to create a rustic effect, slate tiles are a great way of achieving either goal. Slate is a relatively inexpensive stone, most retailing for under $5 a square foot for a 12”x12” tile, and under $10 a square foot for most other sizes, including mosaics.
A fireplace surround with a 3’x6’ hearth, and 6” wide legs measuring 48” in height, and 72” across the top of the firebox will require 30 square feet, or 3 boxes of tile to complete, including waste. At $5 a square foot that makes the total for the tile $150 for 12x12 tiles, or $300 for any other size, including a mosaic pattern. Splitting the difference, and tiling the hearth in large tiles, and the surround in a mosaic pattern would make the cost $200.
Cut Up Sheets of Mosaic
A sheet of 5/8” mosaic tiles in polished stone or glass will yield 19 linear feet of single row mosaic. Polished mosaics or glass will catch the light on each individual tile, making for a sparkling effect when the firebox is in use.
Running a single row of mosaic around the edge of the firebox, as well as around the edge of the outer edge of the surround, and the outer edge of the hearth will require approximately 3 sheets of mosaic for the size fireplace listed above. Most mosaics will run between $20 - $30 a sheet, so between $60 - $90 for an accent, plus field tile, which can be purchased for less than $5 a square foot for most ceramic subway tiles, 6” ceramic field tiles, or 12” porcelain tiles, making the total expense for this design between $210 and $240.
Insert Pops of Color With Glass
Tiling the fireplace surround with a plain 3”x6”, 4”x4” or 6”x6” ceramic tile, and substituting occasional tiles for glass tiles of the same size can create an interesting and unique look, with some bright color and shine. One square foot of 4”x4” glass tile will yield 9 tiles for approximately $25. One square foot of 3”x6” glass tiles will give 8, and one square foot of 6”x6” tiles will yield 4.
Keep the field tile to an inexpensive ceramic for under $5 a square foot, and use one or two square feet of glass tiles scattered through the field. This will create a fireplace design for between $175 and $200, that still has lots of modern appeal and interest.
Pick Up Remnants or Odd Lots
Because most fireplace designs do not require a great deal of tile for both the surround and the hearth, it may be possible to find some remnants or odd lot materials to tile the surround with for little money. Many tile retailers will have odd lots, discontinued items or returns that they are willing to sell for well below list price. This can be a great way of bringing an expensive tile into the space for very little cash. Just be sure to purchase more than is thought to be required, since odd lots can disappear quickly, and if a tile breaks during installation, there may be no replacing it.
Remember to keep the color scheme of the fireplace hearth and surround consistent with the rest of the room’s design. Try to stick with patterns or colors already in place, so as not to overwhelm the room. The most inexpensive tile design is always the one that does not need to be done twice, so be sure to use competent installers, quality materials, and to choose tiles that can stand the test of time in both function and design, to make sure that the fireplace is enjoyed for years to come.
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