Yes, an old stone or brick fireplace can usually be covered. The common options are tiling over it, facing it with thin stone or stacked stone panels, or taking the old facing off and starting fresh. Which one works depends on how flat and solid the existing stone is, what kind of fireplace it is, and how close the new material comes to the firebox. In Littleton, where two out of three homes were built before 1980, we see a lot of original fireplaces that owners want to update.
- Rough fieldstone usually needs a flat surface built over it before tile can go on.
- Stacked stone and thin stone panels can often go over masonry that is sound and clean.
- Building code limits how close anything combustible, like wood trim, can be to a masonry fireplace opening.
- Prefab (factory-built) fireplaces have to follow the manufacturer’s clearance rules, so check the unit’s manual first.
Can you tile over an old stone fireplace?
You can, if the surface underneath is solid and flat enough. Tile needs a flat, stable base to bond to. Smooth brick or flat stone can often take tile after it is cleaned and prepared. Rough fieldstone or river rock, with deep joints and stones sticking out, cannot be tiled directly. The usual fix is to build a flat layer over it first, either with mortar or with backer board anchored to the masonry, and tile that.
Use setting materials that are rated for the heat near a fireplace, and keep the tile and grout away from the firebox itself unless the product says it can handle direct heat.
Can you put stacked stone over an old fireplace?
Often, yes. Stacked stone panels and thin stone veneer are lighter than full stone, and they can go over sound masonry, or over backer board on a framed surround. Our post on a stacked stone fireplace in Lakewood walks through one. The MSI stacked stone in our showroom comes in several colors and finishes, so you can hold samples up against your paint and floor.
Weight is the thing to check. Natural stone is heavy, so the wall and the hearth need to carry it, and panels need the right adhesive or mechanical fastening for the surface behind them.
Your options side by side
| Option | Works best when | Things to check |
|---|---|---|
| Tile over existing stone or brick | The surface is flat and solid, or can be made flat | Heat-rated setting materials, a flat base |
| Stacked stone or thin stone veneer | You want a stone look with less weight than full stone | Weight, adhesive or fasteners, clearances |
| Remove the old facing and rebuild | The old stone is loose, cracked or too uneven | More demolition and dust; check what is behind it |
| Paint or limewash the stone | You want a fast, low-cost change | Paint rated for the heat near the opening |
Clearances and building code
The International Residential Code limits how close combustible material, such as a wood mantel or trim, can be to the opening of a masonry fireplace (section R1001.11), and it requires factory-built fireplaces to be installed according to their listing and the manufacturer’s instructions (section R1004.1). For a prefab unit, that means the manual decides what can go around it and how close. Your city may have adopted the code with local changes, so check with the building department if you are changing the mantel or the surround on a gas or wood-burning unit.
Fireplaces in Littleton homes
Littleton’s median home was built in 1982, and 67% of its homes were built before 1980, according to the Census figures on our Denver-area homes and flooring facts page. Many of those houses still have the original brick or fieldstone fireplace, often with a dark hearth and an old insert. A refaced fireplace with new flooring around it changes how the whole room reads. Our stone installation page shows the kinds of stone work we do.
Common questions
Can you cover a stone fireplace without removing it?
Usually. If the stone is solid, we can build a flat surface over it and tile, or face it with stacked stone or thin veneer. Removal is only needed when the old stone is loose or the result would stick out too far into the room.
What stone is best for a fireplace surround?
Stacked stone panels are the most common choice for a full wall, because they are lighter and quick to install. Slate, granite and porcelain tile that looks like stone are good for a flat, modern surround. See our stone page for what is in the showroom.
Can you change the hearth at the same time?
Yes, and it is usually the right time to do it. A new hearth in stone or tile can match the surround, and it is easier to set the new floor around a finished hearth.
Updating a fireplace in Littleton?
We measure for free and give you a written, itemized quote. Call (303) 993-6479, bring a photo of your fireplace to the showroom at 16728 E Smoky Hill Rd, Unit 10-A in Centennial, or request an estimate online.