My husband and I recently started a fireplace surround reno and we're wondering what to do next. We've never done this before and want to make sure everything is done right so that we have no fire safety issues later on. The fireplace is gas and the mantle is painted wood. We are leaving the mantle and fireplace insert as is, but are wanting to replace the hearth and surround tilework. The tile is an ugly builder's grade sort of tile that seems more suitable for a bathroom than a fireplace, and really is unattractive. We managed to get off the tile on the hearth without too much trouble. Now we come to the surround itself. We are no sure if it was done properly to begin with. As you see from the picture, there is a wooden frame around the fireplace insert, but the insert has a large gap above it where there is nothing. You can feel a draft coming through the hole above the fireplace insert. The tiles along to top are only affixed on the top half, which does not seem right. Under the surround tile is what I am guessing is a fire-rated type board. You can also see one of the wall studs and insulation with vapour barrier. The tiles are not coming off the backing board easily and we are going to have to replace that piece it looks like. Can anyone help me out with what the next step would be after the tiles are all removed?

Looks pretty much like a 2x4 box covered with drywall then tiled. You did not need to remove the drywall but you might as well now considering how you got started. That large gap is the start of your chimney chase which is frequently a big hollow box created to simulate a full sized chimney. You can add non flammable insulation up inside the cavity but maintain at least a foot of air space above the fire box. Install new drywall, tape and mud but you can skip the final mud finish and install your new tile. How to Tile a Fireplace Surround | Step-by-Step | Fireplace | This Old House - Introduction (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20243084,00.html)

Looks pretty much like a 2x4 box covered with drywall then tiled. You did not need to remove the drywall but you might as well now considering how you got started. That large gap is the start of your chimney chase which is frequently a big hollow box created to simulate a full sized chimney. You can add non flammable insulation up inside the cavity but maintain at least a foot of air space above the fire box. Install new drywall, tape and mud but you can skip the final mud finish and install your new tile. How to Tile a Fireplace Surround | Step-by-Step | Fireplace | This Old House - Introduction (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20243084,00.html)

Thanks for the answer. We would have liked to leave the drywall intact, but the tiles are adhered really well and took the drywall off too. The hearth came off easily as the tiles were applied directly to the concrete floor, so it was just a matter of breaking up the tiles and removing the pieces. As the drywall on the surround really has nothing on the back of it, it just peeled off with the tile. It isn't standard drywall either. Hard to tell from the pictures, but it is grey and more grainly feeling than drywall. Can I just use drywall around the fireplace insert itself? I always thought you need to use something non-flammable up against the insert.

Drywall is considered non-flammable and the studs need to remain at least 2" off the box.