How to Lay Slate Tile Floor
Slate tiles have a rustic elegance and attractive color variations. Unlike other natural stone tiles on the market, even those with a rustic finish, slate tiles are frequently sold ungauged. This means that the tiles will vary in thickness from piece to piece, and within one piece. For this reason, as well as the color variations, it is important to lay out your slate tiles before installing them. This will help you determine the best installation method. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tile wet saw
- White thinset mortar
- Trowel
- Impregnating sealer
- Foam paintbrush
- Lint-free cloth
- Standard gray grout
- Grout float
- Grout sponge
Instructions
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Lay out the slate tiles directly on top of the floor you will install them on. Take tiles from several boxes at once to ensure an even mixture of color. Pay attention to the thickness of each tile and lay the tiles so that thicker ends and thinner ends meet one another. This will make for an easier installation.
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Place tiles that are extremely uneven in thickness or oddly colored on the edges of the room. Cut these tiles on a wet saw and return them to the installation to see how they will fit with the other tiles before installing them.
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Install a few slate tiles at a time. Spread a small amount of thinset mortar on the floor, raking it with the trowel until ridges are produced. Apply more thinset directly to the back of each piece of slate in a process called back-buttering. Place four small "balls" of thinset on the tiles, one on each corner. Apply more thinset to thinner tiles, and less to thicker tiles. Tiles that are thicker on one side than the other should have less thinset on one side than the other.
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Press each slate tile down on the floor evenly. If a tile appears to sink below the others, pry it up and apply more thinset to its back. Continue until all the tiles have been installed, and are completely level. Allow the thinset to dry overnight.
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Brush an impregnating sealer onto the tiles with a foam paintbrush, fully covering them. Wipe away the excess with a lint-free cloth.
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Grout the tiles with standard gray, sanded grout. Pack the joints, using a grout float to push the grout between the tiles. Wipe up any excess grout immediately with a grout sponge. Allow the grout to dry for an additional 24 hours before walking on the tiles.
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