refacing a brick fireplace
 

I want to use some ceramic tile to reface an old brick fireplace. I also plan on cutting out some of the old bricks as the fireplace dominates a small room.

1. Would it be better to use a circular saw and diamond blade or an oscillating blade as on the Fein multimaster to cut through the mortar? I may also need to cut a few bricks in half due to the pattern that exists in the brickwork.

2. Should I just go over the bricks with thinset or apply backerboard first. There should be a lot of grip on the bricks with all the surfaces at different angles. Backboard would probably give me a chance to make the tiles line up better with fewer cuts.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

Tom

A 6" grinder with a diamond wheel is usually the best. But the dust is a killer. Backer board should not be necessary but you do need a smooth surface You might be better off to apply a couple of coats of a good quality thinset to the bricks, letting it cure between coats. This will give you a good idea where your trouble areas could be.

I would go with a circular saw it will make your job a lot easier.