Log burner tile ideas – 13 creative ways to surround a stove
As the temperatures plummet and the heating bills continue to creep up, many of us will be firing up our log burners, or seriously thinking about getting one installed.
One of the most attractive heating options, it’s estimated that there are over 1.5 million log burners in the UK. Although they’ve received some bad press, due to air pollution, newer eco stoves and crazily high energy prices are ensuring their lasting popularity.
With a range of models and sizes to choose from, plus the fact that they can be installed in homes without a chimney breast, log burners are a versatile heating option. Whether your stove is freestanding or nestled in a fireplace, tiles are the most popular choice for cladding the hearth and surround.
Recreate this look: Regal Negro
What tiles can you use around a log burner?
Although most tiles will be safe to use around a log burner, porcelain and natural stone tiles are the safest options because they’re extremely durable and unlikely to crack or chip. Log burner hearths have minimum thickness requirements which vary depending on whether they are free-standing or in a fireplace recess.
It doesn’t mean you’re restricted to thick stone slabs though, you can tile over an existing hearth or even build one using a fire-rated construction board, which you can then tile over.
Check out this handy guide to tiling a fireplace hearth.
Log burner tile ideas
Because all stone and most porcelain tiles are suitable for use around a log burner, you have an extensive choice when it comes to selecting the tiles for the hearth and surround. We’ve put together a few ideas to fire up your creativity:
Metro tile back panel
Create a sleek and attractive frame for your log burner with versatile metro tiles. All porcelain tiles are fired at temperatures between 1200 and 1400 °C which vitrifies the clay, making it incredibly tough, impermeable and easily able to resist the heat from a log burner.
Available in an impressive range of colours and textures, metro, or subway, tiles can be laid in a large variety of patterns, making them a firm favourite for fireplace surrounds.
Recreate this look: Rio Beige
Traditional slate surround and hearth
Natural black or grey slate is a popular material for fireplace hearths. Slate is very resistant to stains and extremely easy to keep clean and, if you opt for a darker shade, you won’t be able to spot any sooty deposits anyway!
Slate is a classic choice that will last a lifetime and it suits all decor styles from traditional to ultra-modern.
Recreate this look: StoneFace – Jak Black
Decorative tiled hearth
As long as hearth tiles are going on top of a concrete subfloor or existing hearthstone, you can use thinner porcelain tiles underneath a log burner. Just take great care when lifting the stove into place!
Patterned tiles are a great choice if you want to create an interesting focal point or liven up a dated fireplace and they make a brilliant contrast with rustic brick walls and the rawness of industrial steel or cast iron stoves.
Recreate this look: Damask 3
Black and white tile surround
Add a contemporary feel to a sleek, understated fireplace with bold black and white tiles. Using the same tiles to clad the whole fireplace creates a clean, unified look. If you want to include pattern but are unsure of colour, choosing neutrals like black and white is a savvy option. They’ll go with all paint and flooring colours and you’re unlikely to go off them.
Recreate this look: Damask 12
Splitface surround
Splitface tiles can be made from porcelain or real stone and they’re an ideal choice for cladding the whole log burner surround or just lining the inside of the fireplace. Adding a rustic touch and plenty of texture, natural splitface tiles will need to be sealed to protect them from dirt.
Recreate this look: Arcalis White
Tiled wall panel
If you have a freestanding log burner, you can choose to tile the wall behind it. Porcelain tiles will easily withstand the heat that a log burner emits and are a practical choice as they’re so easy to keep clean.
You can choose the same tiles for the wall and floor, or mix it up with contrasting tiles, Either way, a tiled panel that extends the length of the stove pipe to the ceiling will be a fabulous feature in your living room or kitchen.
Glossy black tiled back panel
Inject some glamour into your fireplace with gloss black metro tiles. As log burners can be a little messy, keeping the hearth and surround tiles black is a practical idea. Choose a heat-resistant black grout to keep it looking sleek.
Recreate this look: Pastel Gloss Black
Wood-effect tile surround
We love this gorgeously cosy wood-effect log burner tile surround. Of course, real wood and a nearby fire aren’t a safe mix, but you can get the snug ski-chalet look with heat-safe, durable, wood-effect porcelain tiles.
Recreate this look: Naturae Wood Effect Silver
Star tile hearth
Add interest to a neutral room with a feature star tile hearth. These vintage-style porcelain tiles will lift any space and they have the advantage of looking great next to all flooring types, working well in modern and period homes alike.
Recreate this look: Madrid
Full slate chimney breast
If you like the idea of completely tiling the chimney breast, using a natural material like slate can be a dramatic addition to a room.
Creating a stand-out feature, fully clad chimney breasts can look ultra-modern, or more traditional, depending on the tile material you choose.
Recreate this look: EcoStone Antracite
Victorian-style tiled hearth
Create a more formal, traditional look with Victorian-style tiles. Available in a wide choice of colours and shapes, you can opt for a classic chequerboard pattern or choose a more intricate design. Add decorative border tiles for extra impact.
Recreate this look: Cambridge
Mermaid tiles
Not just for bathrooms and splashbacks, fish scale, scallop or mermaid tiles can look incredible lining a fireplace. These beautiful tiles are perfect for adding a decorative touch to a fireplace and you can stick to one colour or combine a few shades for added interest.
Recreate this look: Mermaid
Mosaic tiles
Add a luxurious touch to the space behind a log burner with mosaic tiles in natural or tumbled stone. Perfect for pepping up a neutral colour scheme, these small tiles are surprisingly tough. Just be sure to seal natural stone products to protect them from the inevitable soot and ash stains and keep them looking their pristine best.
Log burner tile tips
● Choose porcelain or natural stone tiles for tiling around your stove as both will withstand the heat from a log burner.
● Use heat-resistant tile adhesive and grout to prevent the tiles from dislodging and cracking.
● Some tile materials, like stone, may need to be sealed before use. This will help to minimise sooty stains.
● You can use thin tiles around a log burner, just check out the hearth specifications to make sure that the overall hearth size is adequate.
● Lastly, have fun! Most tiles can look incredible lining a fireplace, cladding a chimney breast or covering the wall behind the log burner. Whether you pick a classic stone tile or a bold, brightly coloured tile, if you love it, it’ll look fantastic.
Read more: take a look at our fireplace tile ideas article for more inspiration.
If you’re ready to tile around your log burner, Atlas Ceramics has a wide range of stone and porcelain tiles to choose from. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our experts for advice.