what can i do with my fireplace / tiles?

[petemurphy]

Hi,

I have a victorian flat that was converted and hence carpet was put in and put all the way under the fireplaces. I had the chimney swept yesterday as I really want a real fire. Obviously I have had to cut the carpet back to use it.

This had revealed some rather "jazzy" tiles underneath. Question is what do i do with them.

Eventually I will take up the carpet and strip the floorboards but time and money prevents this for now.

Are the tiles likely to be victorian? If so will it be sacriledge to change them? They are a bit too fussy for my taste and clash with the tiles in the fireplace.

Can I paint over them? Or can I not do this do to the heat etc? If so would I use tile paint or any paint?

If I was to put big black tiles over the top can they be cut around the fireplace? How do you do this if so?

Any ideas / comments / advice?


Thanks

[Emsman]

Looking at the ones on the fire, they are made by a company called Minton hollins, and may be original. That said, they may still make them- certainly did until I got out of tiling a few years ago.
The ones on the hearth are most likely made by a company called original style if they are recent.
If they are original, and a good few years old, they may be worth a few quid via a reclaim yard. Problem is trying to get them up.
If you don't like them, I would be inclined to lay straight over the top of them with some riven slate(or similar).
Straightforward enough to do really. Local tile store should have the slate, adhesive,grout and sealer you will need, and be able to hire you a diamond wheel cutter to cut them to size.


Eta - or get some cararra marble to match (as best you can) the fire surround.

Edited by Emsman on Thursday 25th November 08:34

[mgtony]

Looks like if you tile over the top of them you wont be able to remove the ash tray?
If you do tile on top, I'd go for something like black slate tiles. Tile from the straight front edge into the fire place and use cardboard templates to mark the shape of the tiles to fit the fireplace. Cut with either an electric, hand held tile saw on an angle grinder.

[petemurphy]

thanks

would one of these be good enough to cut the tiles never done it before?

http://www.hss.com/g/7411/Bench-Tile-Saw-180mm.htm...

[petemurphy]

mgtony said:

Looks like if you tile over the top of them you wont be able to remove the ash tray?
If you do tile on top, I'd go for something like black slate tiles. Tile from the straight front edge into the fire place and use cardboard templates to mark the shape of the tiles to fit the fireplace. Cut with either an electric, hand held tile saw on an angle grinder.

good point although its just a "cover" rather than the tray that goes all the way back but must check could still get the ashes out. good idea re cardboard template

[Emsman]

petemurphy said:

thanks

would one of these be good enough to cut the tiles never done it before?

http://www.hss.com/g/7411/Bench-Tile-Saw-180mm.htm...

it would do it easily, but for the price, buy one of these and flog it after you have finished?

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detai...

or, have a word with the local tile place- take the templates along and they would most likely do it for you?