Tiling a fireplace hearth

[Daisy55]

Hi,

I’ve bought the below tiles from B&Q to go onto a small fireplace hearth in a bedroom (purely decorative - no actual fire will be lit!)
I’ve made a timber frame hearth that I was planning to cover in left over mdf, then tile on top.

I’ve got confused reading various blogs!

Can I tile onto the left over mdf? If not, what can I use as an alternative (I’ve also got left over furniture ply, like the stuff that backs the kitchen cabinets - will this work?)

The tiles are ‘natural stone’, what adhesive should I use? does it matter what grout I use?

https://www.diy.com/departments/dir...le-sheet-l-300mm-w-300mm/5059340194592_BQ.prd

Thank you!

 

[Jord86]

Mdf is a poor surface to tile onto, ply would be far better however what you’re describing I don’t suppose there would be a huge difference in either, being so small. To be honest rather than buy a load of tiling gear and faff around I’d just clear silicone the tiles to the hearth keeping the spaces you want apart, then grout it in with flexible grout the next day.

 

[Daisy55]

Mdf is a poor surface to tile onto, ply would be far better however what you’re describing I don’t suppose there would be a huge difference in either, being so small. To be honest rather than buy a load of tiling gear and faff around I’d just clear silicone the tiles to the hearth keeping the spaces you want apart, then grout it in with flexible grout the next day.

Thanks for replying.
That sounds like an easier option - when you say clear silicone, is that the below? Will this essentially act like a glue to stick the tiles down?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonse...ml/35887#product_additional_details_container

 

[Jord86]

Yes, whilst being flexible to move slightly if any expansion or contraction occurs with any of the timber.