Written by D&L Tile. Read more about the author.

Most homeowners who call us have the same concern: the fireplace looks dated, but they don’t want to tear everything out and start over. That’s a reasonable place to be. A full rebuild is disruptive and expensive. The good news is that in the majority of cases — probably 80% or more of the projects we see come through our Reno shop — a full rebuild isn’t necessary. The existing structure stays. What changes is everything visible.

Can You Remodel a Fireplace Without Rebuilding It in Reno?

Yes, and it’s one of the more satisfying upgrades we do. A fireplace remodel — also called a fireplace facelift — focuses on the surround, hearth, and mantel. The firebox and chimney structure remain intact. You’re changing what people actually see, not pulling out a load-bearing masonry unit.

What makes this work is that most Reno homes built after the 1970s were framed with standard clearances around the firebox, which means there’s room to install new tile or stone veneer over the existing surface. We use thin-set mortars rated for high heat and materials that meet ANSI standards for tile installation near combustion sources. The Tile Council of North America publishes installation guidelines specifically for hearth areas, and we follow those closely.

There are limits. If the firebox liner is cracked, or the chimney has structural damage, you address that first — no surface makeover fixes a compromised flue. Nevada code also requires that any combustible material stay a minimum distance from the firebox opening. But assuming the underlying structure is sound, a cosmetic remodel is almost always the right call rather than a full rebuild.

What Materials Work Best for a Reno Home’s Fireplace Surround?

This is where we spend the most time with clients in the design conversation. Reno sits at roughly 4,500 feet elevation. The climate runs dry and cold in winter, which means fireplaces here actually get used — sometimes heavily. The material you choose needs to handle real heat cycles, not just look good in a showroom photo.

Porcelain tile is our most-requested material in 2026, partly because large-format slabs have become affordable and the look is clean and modern. For fireplace tile installation, we stick to porcelain rated for high-heat exposure and always verify the thermal expansion coefficient before specifying anything adjacent to the firebox opening. Ceramic can work on the outer surround but shouldn’t be used directly bordering the firebox.

Fireplace stone surround installation is the other major category. Natural stone — slate, quartzite, limestone, travertine — looks exceptional and handles heat well. The Natural Stone Institute has published guidelines on heat exposure for different stone types, and that’s a useful reference. What we’ve found from doing dozens of fireplace stone veneer installations locally is that thinner stone panels (typically 3/4 inch or less) are easier to work with when the existing substrate isn’t perfectly flat, which is common in older Reno homes with painted brick surrounds.

Ledger stone is still popular for a more rustic mountain feel, which fits a lot of the ranch-style and craftsman homes in South Reno and the older neighborhoods near the university. Stacked stone veneer has good visual depth and forgives minor surface irregularities well.

Does a Fireplace Makeover Require a Permit in Nevada?

This question comes up on nearly every job, and the honest answer is: it depends on the scope. In Nevada, cosmetic work — installing new tile or stone over an existing non-combustible substrate, replacing a mantel — typically doesn’t require a building permit from Washoe County. The Nevada State Contractors Board requires that contractors doing this work hold an appropriate license, which you can verify through their license search tool.

If you’re changing the firebox itself, converting from wood-burning to gas, or altering the flue, those are mechanical changes and permits are required. We always recommend having a licensed chimney inspector assess the firebox before any cosmetic work starts, especially on wood-burning units in homes built before 1990. It protects the homeowner and it protects us.

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry recommends that homeowners always ask for written confirmation of permit responsibility before signing a contract. We agree with that.

How Do You Tile Over an Existing Brick Fireplace?

This is one of the more technical aspects of a custom fireplace remodeling job, and it’s where inexperienced installers make costly mistakes. Brick is rarely flat. The mortar joints create a surface with quarter-inch or more of relief, and if you just try to skim-coat and tile over that without proper prep, the tile will crack or delaminate — sometimes within a single heating season.

Our prep process for a brick fireplace tile surround involves grinding down high spots, filling the mortar joints, and applying a scratch coat or bonding agent appropriate for the substrate. We use a polymer-modified thin-set with high bond strength — the National Tile Contractors Association specifies minimum performance ratings for adhesives used in heated environments, and we don’t cut corners there.

One thing I’d flag for homeowners doing research: the backing board material matters. Cement backer board works well on the outer surround. Directly adjacent to the firebox opening, we use calcium silicate board or equivalent non-combustible backerboard rated for fireplace applications. Regular drywall and even standard cement board have failed in that zone. The Ceramic Tile Foundation has published guidance on installer certification that covers exactly this kind of application.

Stone fireplace remodeling over existing brick follows similar principles. The weight of natural stone adds up fast — ledger panels on a full surround can run 8 to 12 pounds per square foot — so the substrate needs to be verified as sound before anything goes up.

What Should You Look for in a Fireplace Remodeling Contractor in Reno?

Tile and stone work near a fireplace is a specialized skill. Not every general contractor does it well, and not every tile setter has experience with the heat zone requirements. Here’s what matters when you’re vetting someone for this job.

First, license verification. Check the Nevada State Contractors Board before you sign anything. Nevada law requires that contractors performing tile and stone work be appropriately licensed, and the database is public and easy to search. A legitimate fireplace remodeling contractor will give you their license number without hesitation.

Second, ask to see completed fireplace projects specifically — not just bathroom or kitchen work. Our fireplace remodeling services page shows what we do, but more importantly, we can connect prospective clients with past customers who’ve had the same kind of work done. That’s how you evaluate a contractor, not by brochure.

Third, ask about material sourcing and what standards the installer follows for heat-rated applications. If they can’t answer that, move on. We’re members of the National Association of Home Builders network and stay current on installation standards.

Finally, ask whether the scope includes the hearth pad. A lot of quotes conveniently leave that out. A new tile surround with an original cracked hearth looks unfinished. We treat the hearth as part of the same project, which is also why we often coordinate fireplace work with tile flooring installation in the adjacent room — the materials and transitions need to work together.

What Other Tile and Stone Work Can Be Done at the Same Time?

Fireplace projects are natural triggers for adjacent upgrades. We frequently see clients who start with a fireplace facelift and realize the living room floor and kitchen countertops now look tired by comparison. Scheduling multiple projects together saves on labor mobilization and means you deal with the disruption once.

Our Reno team handles kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, and outdoor remodeling in addition to fireplace work. If you have an outdoor fireplace or fire pit surround that needs attention, that’s also within our scope. Stone fabrication for mantels and hearth slabs is something we do in-house, which cuts lead time compared to sourcing through a third party.

One combination that works especially well: fireplace surround plus new hearth slab plus countertop refinishing or restoration in the same visit. The materials are often the same stone family, which ties the spaces together without a full renovation.

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If you’re ready to stop looking at a fireplace that hasn’t changed since 1998, reach out to D&L Tile, Inc: Reno Tile, Granite & Stone and let’s talk through your options. We do on-site assessments and give straight answers about what’s possible without a rebuild. Contact us to schedule a consultation, or call us at (775) 826-7048.

Visit our Reno office at 111 Linden St, Reno, NV 89502. Learn more about our team and experience before you call if you’d like — we’re a local business and we think that context matters.