How to Install Marble Tile on Sub Floors
Installing marble in your home can add both beauty and value to your most valuable investment. Installing marble is similar to installing ceramic tile and uses some of the same tools, so any previous experience with ceramic tiling will pay off. Even if you are a rookie, a few tricks will help you learn how to install marble tile on sub floors. The fun part of the project is picking out what color or style of marble best suits your tastes. When you are finished, you will be proud of your work and ready to show it to your friends.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Marble tile (as many as needed)
- Trowel with 1/4-inch teeth
- Trowel, rubber edged for grout
- Sponges
- Rubber mallet
- 2 to 3 buckets, filled with water
- Rags
- 1/8-inch marble spacers
- Tile cutting saw
- Level
- Measuring tape
- Marble thinset (cement)
- Unsanded grout
- Eye goggles
- Felt tip pen/marker
-
-
1
Remove any debris or obstructions that would prevent the tile from adhering to the floor. Mix the thinset in a bucket with water until the mixture has the consistency of toothpaste. You should also be able to pick up the thinset with a trowel.
-
2
Start in a corner. Using the trowel, apply a small amount of thinset to cover about 2 to 3 square feet. Using the side of the trowel with the "teeth," or jagged edge, slide the trowel over the thinset as you smear it over the work area. The total thickness of the thinset should equal the depth of the teeth on the edge of the trowel.
Trowel teeth are typically sized 1/8 inch, 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch and 1 inch to help you determine the thickness of the thinset you need as you lay your marble tile. (See the manufacturer's guidelines for the marble to determine the best thickness of thinset for your project).
-
3
Apply a thin layer of thinset on the back of the first marble tile to be laid. Place the marble tile in the corner. Using the level, lightly tap the tile with the rubber mallet to "seat" the marble in the thinset and make sure it is level.
-
4
Take a second piece of marble tile and lightly coat the back of it with the thinset. Lay this piece of marble next to the first piece and apply pressure with the hands in a sideways, back-and-forth motion to settle the tile into the thinset. Using the level to make sure it is level.
-
5
Place two 1/8-inch spacers between the first marble tile laid and the second, one at each end where they touch.
-
6
Apply additional thinset to the floor in the 2 to 3 square foot working area and to the back of each tile as it is laid in place. Press down and level each marble tile to ensure a flat level floor with no raised corners. Place two 1/8-inch spacers between the marble tiles as they touch from side to side.
-
7
Measure and cut any marble tiles with the marble tile cutter that may be too large or need special angles to fit.
Continue until the floor is covered.
-
8
Clean any thinset on the top of the marble tiles as you work before it is able to dry. Use the rags, sponges and water to clean the marble. Allow the thinset to set for a minimum 24 hours or as suggested by the manufacturer's guidelines on the back of the thinset bags, before walking on the marble. Remove all the spacers and give the marble surface one final rinse with the sponges and water. Allow it to dry thoroughly before applying the grout.
-
9
Mix the unsanded grout in a bucket with a little water until it is about the consistency of toothpaste. Using the rubber-edged trowel, apply the grout to the marble and work it into the cracks in a diagonal sweeping motion across the cracks. Avoid running the trowel in the same directions as the cracks as this will pull the grout from the cracks.
-
10
As you cover two to four marble tiles, take a damp sponge and wipe off the access grout before it is able to dry on the marble surface. Once all the cracks have been filled with grout, go back over the marble several times with a clean, damp sponge and rags to remove any grout or chalky film left by the grout. Wipe until the marble floor is clean. Do not disturb the grout in the cracks as it drys.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Keep the top side of the marble tiles as clean of the thinset as possible as you work to keep it from drying to the surface.
Avoid contact of the thinset or grout with the skin as it can burn or cause irritation.
