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I Need some help with an entry way marble floor. I want to install a marble inlay in 3/4 in oak flooring frame. My problem is I need to keep the height of the marble and the oak the same. The oak is installed directly on a 7/8th Strand board sub floor. The marble is 3/8th thick, so if I put down a layer of mortar, 1/4 in cement backer, then the marble, it will be to high. Should I just install the marble on the decking without the backer board? It is glued and screwed to TGI’S. If so what should I use to put it down with the instructions on the thin set I have indicate that it is not recommended for green or black marble. The marble I have is dark brown. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Lars said the following:
Thinset glue 1/4 inch concrete board underlayment
down with 3/8 square notch trowel.
Next step thinset marble with 1/4 inch square notch trowel.
The underlayment with glue should give you your 3/8 shim that you need for the marble. Don't know about the compatability of the thinset with marble.
Try a sample in a sample spot.
Best wishes,
Lars Rousseau
*I just recently completed an inlay of marble and granite in a 3/4" oak floor and we did just as Lars is suggesting. Make sure you use a thinset on the marble made specifically for marble as regular thinset can actually telegraph through some types of marble and show up on the face. I've attatched a picture.
*I guess I just don't get it. If the backer board is 1/4, and the marble is 3/8, I only have 1/8 left for mortar. Won't the two layers of mortar be greater than 1/8. Thanks for the info on the thinset I will get the marble type. Darren
*depending on the color of the marble maybe you should back prime with a bonding/sealing agent. ask your supplier, they should point you in the right direction
*The tarpaper (1/16 thickness) under the hardwood makes it more than 3/4 high. Adjust the thickness of the thinset adhesive layers to where the marble is flush with the top of the hardwood. This is done with the trowel notches that I mentioned previously. If you nail the 1/4 inch backer board with nails also you can "squish" the thinset down tighter. Hope this helps.Lars Rousseau
*Darren use white thinset with your marble, not gray.
*Darren>I would go directly on to the wood. Use some concrete glue to aid in bonding and mix acrylic and slica sand with white thinset no water. You can then get each one level without sinking.NickTile contractor