Pebble Fireplace Project

Pebble Fireplace Basics

• A pebble fireplace consists of a fireplace unit surrounded by a pebble surface. The pebble surface, made up of hundreds of pebbles of varying colors, shapes and textures, forms the facade of the fireplace and holds no practical value. Therefore, technically speaking, the pebbles are not a part of the fireplace, but a design element placed around it. The inside of a fireplace always requires a material such as fireproof brick or metal to prevent the fire from spreading beyond the place. You can use any fireplace to create a pebble fireplace, including a built-in brick and mortar fireplace and electrical or gas stoves and inserts.

Pebble Tiles

• Two options exist when it comes to creating a pebbled surface: pebble tiles and a homemade pebble surface using raw materials. Pebble tiles consist of pebbles glued to a mesh backing. The mesh backing is flexible so you can work the tiles into a number of shapes. You can purchase pebble tiles with a variety of pebble types, including smooth, rounded stones and rough, jagged ones. Choosing the the type and color of stones for your pebble fireplace project allows you to customize and personalize the unit, while matching it to your overall interior design scheme.

Applying Pebble Tiles

• Applying pebble tiles requires an adhesive designed to bind the tiles to the surfaces around your fireplace. Pebble tile manufacturer Strata Stones recommends applying thin layers of thinset, a type of concrete, to a surface and placing the tiles in the thinset. Using thick layers of mortar can cause the material to push through the mesh backing of the tile to cover the surface of the pebbles and dull their colors. Use a trowel to apply thinset to your walls.

DIY Pebble Surface

• For a completely DIY project, you can make your own pebble surface from raw materials. For this, you need cement and a polymer-based bonding agent. You can purchase both of these at a hardware store. Mix the cement in a bucket and add all of your stones to the mix. When it hardens, this mixture forms a single hard surface that shows the colors and textures of the pebbles. Check the compatibility between cement and the surface of the area around your fireplace before applying a DIY pebble surface. Cement applied to an inappropriate surface can lead to numerous problems, including the cement falling off in sheets.

Applying DIY Pebble Surfaces

• To apply a DIY pebble surface, you might need to apply a layer of lath, a mesh-like material designed to support cement, concrete, stucco and other masonry materials. Apply the mixture on top of this and mist it with water before it hardens to expose the stones through the cement. A DIY mixture might not apply vertically, because the stones might slide through the concrete toward the floor. If you experience this, use the DIY material for horizontal surfaces and tiles for vertical surfaces.