How can I update an old stone fireplace surround?

Susan Benesole
by Susan Benesole

How do you update a stone fireplace surround?

  4 answers
  • DesertRose DesertRose on Oct 10, 2019

    Susan, you might try painting it and rubbing it off to give it a "whitish" look or chalk paint look. That would both lighten and update your fireplace surround. Another idea is to tile it with a little color. I have chosen one for you, but there are many more ways to update you might like better by going to "explore projects" then "paint" and type in "fireplace surround" in the search box and hit enter. Here is one you might consider that popped up:

    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/fireplaces-mantels/how-i-tiled-my-fireplace-surround-28061669

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Oct 10, 2019

    The fireplace surround cannot be painted with anything except high-temp paint, within 18” of the firebox, per Code.

    Latex paints & common enamels will char around the firebox, I’ve seen it.


    You can dye the stone with a masonry stain.


    If you can laminate tile over red stone, then I’d do that.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Oct 11, 2019

    The fireplace that has been tiled in the picture above did not have a stone surround. Susan asked specifically about a stone surrounded fireplace.

  • Vickymcreations Vickymcreations on Oct 15, 2019

    There are some posts here on hometalk which may inspire you https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=stone%20fireplace%20update