Installing Slate Tile....

[gb387]

I am going to be installing slate tile (6x6) around my fire place. Anyone have any tips on installing it or cutting it.

Plan on using a wet saw to cut it and it is going to be installed over painted drywall.

My first tile project on my own... wanted to start small as I want to change the tile in my kitchen and entry.

[showtime]

Make sure you get a pack of those little cross like looking things that go in the corners of the tile. I wish I knew the name of them. They fit at the corners of the tile so they always are even spaced and form 90deg angles.

[SpoiledMan]

If you have a Home Depot or Lowes around you be sure to check into their home improvement classes. They usually have them on Saturdays and they're free.

[Beercan31]

If your going to install tile to a vertical Dry Wall surface you will need to place a barrier between the 2. There are 3 kinds of barrier chose from, the choice between the types are one is used in a shower stall, and one is used in a bath room environment and the other is used for doing a vertical tile, I know for fact that the tile you use for a floor is not the same as the one's you use for the wall......not sure of the difference between them are but I'm sure one of them is Price, The floor being more expensive.

Don't hold me to this but I belive the barrier helps with the expansion rate between the 2 different surfaces

If you tell the sales person what your are planning to do I sure they will guide you in the right direction.

Good Luck

[Beercan31]

Originally posted by Beercan31
If your going to install tile to a vertical Dry Wall surface you will need to place a barrier between the 2. There are 3 kinds of barrier chose from, the choice between the types are one is used in a shower stall, and one is used in a bath room environment and the other is used for doing a vertical tile, I know for fact that the tile you use for a floor is not the same as the one's you use for the wall......not sure of the difference between them are but I'm sure one of them is Price, The floor being more expensive.

Don't hold me to this but I belive the barrier helps with the expansion rate between the 2 different surfaces

If you tell the sales person what your are planning to do I sure they will guide you in the right direction.

Good Luck

[Beercan31]

I don't know How I did that.


Sorry

[the other pc]

Re: Installing Slate Tile....

Originally posted by gb387
…it is going to be installed over painted drywall…

I don’t know that much about tiling but somehow installing over painted drywall doesn’t sound right to me. For a decorative vertical surface in a dry area I could see the mastic or thin-set sticking to the sheetrock face paper but I wouldn’t trust paint. I think I’d do some kind of backer board.

Maybe I’m just being paranoid. Have you checked out any books on tiling?

Originally posted by Beercan31
…the tile you use for a floor is not the same as the one's you use for the wall......not sure of the difference between them are but I'm sure one of them is Price, The floor being more expensive…

Since you’re always walking on them floor tile have to be tougher. You can put floor tiles anywhere but tiles that can’t take heavy wear or pounding can only be used on walls and ceilings.


PC.

[Beercan31]

Common tile backers are cement board, Fiber-cement board, and Dens-shield. Cement board is made from Portland cement and sand reinforced by an outer layer of fiberglass mesh. Fiber-cement board is made similarly, but with a fiber reinforcement integrated throughout the panel. Dens-Shield is a water resistant gypsum board with a waterproof acrylic facing.

All the references I have right at this moment are for a Bathroom environments but I think it will apply for a fire place surroundings also.

[gb387]

Well I got the job done took longer than I thought but it was well worth it.

I posted the photos on imagestation so I hope they show up!?!?

Before:


After:


Edit: they are now on yahoo photos so I hope this works!

[gb387]

Ok so I can't get the photos to stay....



You would think I have this figured out by now!