You can, in theory, tile your fireplace hearth with most tiles. However just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. For example, it’s much better to use unglazed tiles because glazed tiles are more resistant to cracking under extreme heat. Porcelain is more heat-resistant than ceramic, but you can still design the hearth as you like by putting the most heat-resistant tiles directly under the fire and, if it matches your style, add more decorative tiles further from the center of the fire. 

The tile trim you use will depend on a few factors, including design preferences, budget, and whether the project is DIY or not. You might choose plastic trim if you want an easier DIY job that is more budget-friendly. There are also more color options available in plastic. On the other hand, you might choose metal to match your fixtures or for areas with heavy use.

Ideally, you should remove tile before installing hardwood floors, but there are good reasons not to. Removing stubborn tile can be a labor-intensive job that adds days to the project. The subfloor beneath the tiles could also be damaged during the process, meaning you’d have to repair the subfloor before installing the new hardwood floor. 

A quality shower tiling project is a bathroom upgrade that can increase resale value. Bathroom remodels have the highest return on investments for any home update. Tiling a shower won’t offer the potential 70% ROI that a full bathroom remodel involving upgrading fixtures, installing storage, and a complete room retile will. However, you can expect an average return of 55% to 60% for this refresh.