I am interested in covering my brick fireplace surround with 3/4″ think limestone slabs (hearth, two legs, top). I have limited experience laying tile, but never anything this thick or large. Any special techniques I should be aware of. Thinset mortar or a type “O” mortar? Should mortar be evenly spread with a large notch trowel or should slabs be “buttered” like a brick? Any and all help much appreciated!
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Replies
Copper -
How big are the slabs in question? From my rather limited experience working with larger pieces of gauged stone like this, it's not ordinarily set in a full bed like tile. Rather it's attached with anchors that are epoxied into holes or slots in the edges of the stone. Why this is I'm not sure. I suspect it may have something to do with allowing the stone to move at a different rate that whatever substrate it may be attached to - thermal movement that is.
Some limestones, marble and even granite are just porous enough such that mortars will show a 'shadow' from behind. That is, the mortar can actually cause discoloration on the surface.
Handling slabs of stone is a learned technique as well. Try to always carry them on edge, especially limestone. They have very little resistance to bending! (grin)
Sounds like a nice project. But I'd read up on stone anchoring systems a bit before you get too far into it.
Dennis in Bellevue WA
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